August 20, 2021- WELLAND… After a year-long hiatus from the pitch, the Niagara College Knights Women's soccer team will take to the field on Saturday afternoon for their first day of try-outs for the 2021-22 season.
While head coach Rob Lalama will enter his 5th season at the helm for the blue and white, the Knights welcomed a new face behind the bench during the off-season with former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and St. Catharines Jets player, Kara Ross.
Born and raised in the Niagara Region, Ross's impressive resume includes three years (2014-2016) of playing Division 1 soccer with Bowling Green University in Ohio. Ross served as part of the Falcons leadership core during her junior and senior years as a midfielder. While there, Ross earned her Bachelors degree in Exercise Science. Off the field, Ross assisted the strength and conditioning programs for men's soccer, women's golf, swimming and football, and played an active role in the Bowling Green soccer community through the Eyas youth soccer and mentorship program.
Prior to Bowling Green, Ross kicked off her post-secondary career in 2013 with Brock University where she played one year with the Badgers that saw her lead the team in scoring and earn the Badgers Rookie of the Year award. Ross later returned home to St. Catharines to complete her Masters of Professional Kinesiology at Brock University, where she played her fifth and final year of eligibility for the Badgers.
Since finishing her playing career, Ross has continued to give back to the game coaching with the club that started it all for her- the St. Catharines Jets. Coached by Andrew Vitaterna, Ross excelled at the highest levels in the province with the Jets program and captained her squad for six seasons, including several Ontario Cup finishes.
Ross also puts her education to use by staying present in both the strength and conditioning, and health and wellness communities by personal training and teaching group exercise.
Lalama credits other long-time assistant Gary Condon for recruiting Ross the Knights coaching staff and believes both her playing experience at the NCAA level and her education will benefit the women's soccer program enormously.
"I have to thank Gary Condon who did all the leg work to recruit Kara," said Lalama.
"His knowledge and connections in women's soccer in and around Niagara made this happen Kara has such an impressive resume from former D1 player, exercise science major, to Ontario Cup champion she understands the game and the challenges that come with the commitment to being a varsity athlete. She will be a valuable addition as we continue to our quest for a provincial and national championship"
On the transition from high-level player to coach, Ross is excited to make the jump from player to coach.
"I'm really excited to join the coaching staff here at Niagara College" says Ross.
"I am thrilled about the opportunity to coach at this next level. Now that I am done playing at a high level, I am very excited to learn from Rob, Gerry and Gary and continue developing as a coach."
The Knights Women's soccer program opens training camp on Saturday August 21st, with their first Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) game scheduled for Thursday September 23rd at Youngs Sportsplex. The match will be the first game back since participating in the 2019 OCAA Championships at Redeemer College, where Fanshawe Falcons knocked them off in the quarterfinal match.
Lalama has been waiting on the edge of his seat for this moment.
"I am looking forward to this season after a year off- I think I speak for everyone when I say we can't wait to get back to soccer."
