Andy Hein and Natalie Semenuk named athletes of the week

Posted: Nov 02, 2015

Male Athlete of the Week – Andy Hein, Men’s Soccer/Cross Country

Dual sport athlete Andy Hein of the Niagara Knights men’s soccer and cross country teams has been named this week’s male athlete of the week.

The Omemee, Ontario native competes as for both the Niagara College cross country team and as a forward for the men’s soccer program. This week saw the third year broadcasting, radio, television, and film student earn all-star selections in both cross country and men’s soccer.

This season Hein helped lead the Knights men’s soccer program to their first ever appearance in the OCAA Championship tournament. He was named an OCAA league all-star prior to the event, and played all 120 minutes during the team’s heartbreaking opening round overtime loss to the Fanshawe Falcons on October 29^th.

Hein then hoped on a bus bound for Sault St. Marie that afternoon and took part in the OCAA cross country championship on October 31^st. Hein finished the race in 11^th place and was named a second team all-Ontario selection.

Female Athlete of the Week – Natalie Semenuk, Women’s Soccer

Natalie Semenuk of the Niagara College women’s soccer program has been named this week’s female athlete of the week. The veteran defender was named the OCAA Central Division’s defensive player of the year conference awards banquet in Peterborough on October 28^th.

Semenuk is a native of Pelham, Ontario and a graduate of Notre Dame College School in Welland. She is in her fourth year of eligibility and first year with the Knights, after spending three seasons competing as a member of the Brock University Badgers. She is currently enrolled in the Niagara College autism and behavioural sciences program.

Semenuk played a key role in helping lift the Knights to the best ever season of OCAA competition. The team finished the regular season with a record of 4-3-3 including an impressive 1-0 victory over the top ranked Humber Hawks. The Knights qualified for the OCAA playoffs for the first time since the 2010 season.

The defensive player of the year award for Semenuk marks the first time a Niagara College women’s soccer player has ever captured a major award at the yearend OCAA banquet.