April 1st, 2022...WELLAND - The Niagara Knights women's soccer program is pleased to announce the signing of goal keeper Julia Thies for the 2022-23 season.
Thies, a native of Fenwick Ont., comes to the Knights from Smithvillle Christian Secondary School and will backstop the Knights as they look to build on their 2021 campaign that saw them take an early exit in the post-season.
While the Knights are still a ways off from the beginning of the 2022 season in September, head coach and 2021 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Women's Soccer Coach of the Year, Rob Lalama, has been hard at work during the off-season and was pleased to seal the deal with Thies after having her on his radar for a while.
"We are very happy to add Julia to our line-up for the 2022 season," said Lalama. "We've been aware of her throughout her high school year. She's athletic and has good size at 5'9", great attitude and work ethic. We feel she has the ability to be a standout keeper at the OCAA level."
Thies will be enrolled in Business Sales and Marketing when she begins her Niagara College journey in the Fall. The decision to sign with Niagara was the total package for Thies.
"I chose Niagara because it was close to home, had an excellent soccer program and good business programs to choose from," said Thies
The business program at Niagara was an important factor for Thies as she hopes to be able to contribute to the family business - Fieldview Greenhouses/Garden Centre- for years to come.
"I have goals on and off the pitch," said Thies. " My goals for soccer are to become the best I can be, work hard, learn new skills and most importantly have fun. Off the pitch I will be focusing on my school work and learn as much as I can to improve my family's business."
Thies, Lalama and the rest of the Knights women's soccer program will begin officially training for the 2022-23 season in August, where they will look to continue the success of an undefeated season in 2021 (6-0). The Knights were eliminated in their quarter-final match by Humber forcing an early end to the 2021 post-season for the blue and white.
