The Niagara Knights Women's Soccer Program is pleased to announce the addition of midfielder Kara Latham for the 2016-17 OCAA season. The Welland native joins a Knights program on the rise, coming off their most productive season to date in 2015.
"I am very excited that Kara has chosen Niagara College and our program," said head coach Frank DeChellis. Being based in Welland, Coach DeChellis has known Latham for a number of years and is confident that she has the skill set to succeed and excel at the OCAA and CCAA level. "She is a fierce competitor, a ball winner in the midfield, and is a good decision maker whether attacking and defending."
Latham was a member of the soccer, basketball, volleyball, and tennis teams at Welland Centennial Secondary School, as well as the Niagara United Soccer Club based in Niagara Falls. Last year the tri-sport athlete was the first and only recipient of the "Opponents' Worst Nightmare Award" as a member of the Centennial girls soccer team and was also named the co-MVP of the senior girls volleyball team.
She is an aggressive midfielder that will bring a competitive edge to the lineup. Latham will be entering the Pre-Health Sciences program, with hopes to find a career as a health professional upon graduation.
When asked why she chose Niagara College, the City of Welland was the number one factor. "I want to be able to study and represent a team in my hometown," Latham said of her decision. In addition to the hometown connection, Latham also has a familial connection. Her brother Alex, also a Pre-Health Sciences student, recently completed his first year as a member of the Knights men's soccer program.
Centennial Secondary School soccer head coach Ryan Minor was extremely complimentary of the skillset that Kara brings to the field. "After watching Kara play for the first time, I instantly knew I wanted to build the team around her," Minor said of Latham. Last season, Minor even went as far to ensure that his team's playoff schedule fell when Latham was available, as her leadership and skill were so fundamental to his team's success.
Latham will look to expand on the success achieved by the Knights during the 2015 season. The Knights set a program record with four wins and 15 points, and rattled off five consecutive games without a loss for the first time in program history. They also set a program record for goals in a season with 18, and qualified for the OCAA playoffs for the second time.
Before she officially dawns the Blue and White in September, Kara will be participating in the 3rd Annual Niagara Region Soccer Showcase at Youngs Sportsplex on June 8th.
The regular season schedule for the 2016-17 Niagara Knights Women's Soccer Program will be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to www.goknights.ca and @NC_Knights on Twitter and Instagram for more news as the Knights roster takes shape for the upcoming season.
