Hurricanes Women's Soccer: Canes Appoint McKinnon as New Head Coach

The Holland College women's soccer Hurricanes will have a new face patrolling the sidelines as a head coach next season, though it's still a familiar one.
Kris McKinnon, who served as an assistant coach for last year's Hurricanes squad that finished seventh at the CCAA championships, has been named the head coach for the upcoming season.

McKinnon replaces Amy Connolly, who has stepped down to pursue other endeavours.

McKinnon is looking forward to continuing the growth of the program.
"If you go back to the beginning of Hurricanes soccer and the work that Meredith (Cameron) did and now with what Amy has done, they have developed a program of success," he said.

"I want to make sure we continue on that path."
McKinnon is an ideal candidate to push the program forward, said Albert Roche, athletic director at Holland College.

"Kris is passionate about our program and is well-liked by his players. His experience in the conference and at nationals will serve us well as we push forward."
McKinnon inherits a team that went 9-0-1 in the 2012 ACAA season before earning silver at the ACAA championships prior to hosting the CCAA women's soccer championships in November.

Having familiarity with what the returning players have to offer will be key in assembling this year's squad, McKinnon said.

"Knowing that we have a great core group of veterans that will lead this team next year makes the transition a little easier. Knowing what they were capable of last season, we can plan around that."

McKinnon will be joined on the sidelines by Stratford native Derek MacEwen, who will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team, he said.

"Having coached with him in the past with PEISA provincial teams as well as seeing his success with Stratford Soccer club in the past season being named PEISA coach of the year, there is no doubt his input will be valuable. He brings a player-first philosophy that I think the players will enjoy and reap the benefits of."

The Hurricanes have an eye toward taking a trip to Surrey, B.C. for the 2013 CCAA women's soccer championships.

The team needs to improve its consistency and mental focus if they want to make that trip, McKinnon said.

"The players are all capable of playing at that level, so what we need to do as a coaching staff is make sure they are aware of that and make sure they push themselves every day to be the best they can. Those who got that taste last year have the drive to get back again."

Overall, McKinnon is looking forward to the upcoming season.

"I'm excited at where we're at as a team with our current squad, and with the potential first year players we have coming, I think we'll be another Hurricanes squad to keep an eye on."

Hurricanes Women's Soccer: The Hurricanes Welcome Canada

Hurricanes celebrate a goal at the CCAA Championships

As the host team for the 2012 CCAA women's soccer championships, excitement was high in the Hurricanes camp as the season approached.

With former CIS player of the year Amy Connolly installed as the new coach, the Hurricanes sought to once again find the form that propelled them to ACAA championship titles in 2009 and 2010, meaning 2012 was Holland College's third CCAA championship appearance in the last four years.

Holland College was able to put together an undefeated regular season, winning nine out of ten games and drawing the other, rising to a program-best second place in the CCAA rankings in the process.

The Hurricanes led the ACAA with 43 goals scored in the regular season, while conceding only five. The Holland College attack was led by former Mount Allison striker Megan Spicer, who lit up the ACAA with a 20 goal season that more than doubled the ACAA's next highest scorer. The Sussex, N.B., native's total was also good enough to lead the CCAA.

Spicer was one of three Hurricanes named as an ACAA First-Team All-Star, along with Holland College captain Emily MacPhee and fifth-year midfielder Patty Trainor. The Hurricanes also had three Second Team All-Stars in Shalan Armstrong, Katelyn Peters and Emily MacDonald.
Meanwhile, Connolly was named ACAA coach of the year, as well as a finalist for CCAA coach of the year. Warren Grove, P.E.I., native Amanda Wheatley was named the ACAA's top goalkeeper.

However, the Hurricanes were unable to capture the ACAA title, falling 1-0 in the final to Mount St. Vincent for their first loss of the year.

More importantly, it meant a more difficult draw for the CCAA championships, as they had to face the two-time defending CCAA champion Élans de Cégep Garneau in their opening match.

Despite having the home field advantage, Cégep Garneau was too strong for the Hurricanes, dispatching them 7-0 on opening night. It didn't get much better the next day, falling 3-0 to the OCAA champion Humber Hawks to set up an ACAA championship rematch with Mount St. Vincent in the seventh-place game.

Even though the match didn't have a medal at stake, the Hurricanes were able to gain some retribution over the Mystics, storming back to score twice in five minutes late in the second half to defeat Mount St. Vincent 2-1 to claim seventh place. The winner was scored in the 89th minute by Spicer, a CCAA All-Canadian who missed the ACAA championship game with a concussion.

Connolly was happy about the season her team put together.
"We went undefeated, so you have to be happy with that. It was a heartbreaking loss in the final. We had two key players out, and it took the girls at least a week to get over that.

"It's not ideal to play for seventh and eighth, but we wanted to finish the season with a big win and that's what we did."

The women's Hurricanes will look to book a trip to Surrey, B.C., this fall as Kwantlen Polytechnic University will host the 2013 CCAA women's soccer championships.

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For more information contact:

Daniel Cudmore
Athletics Development and Communications Coordinator
Men's Hockey General Manager
Department of Athletics and Recreation
Holland College
(902) 894-6870
dccudmore@hollandcollege.com
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