By Reegan MacAulay

Ever want to look back on a dramatic and emotional time in Holland Hurricanes history?

Look no further than the transition between the 2022 and 2023 seasons for the women’s soccer team, as multiple returnees were coming off a roller coaster of a year. The team experienced a disappointing Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) semi-final loss after going 7-2-3 in the regular season in 2022.

Emily Lepine, who became the team’s all-time leading goal scorer that year, battled a back injury the whole season. Head coach Jonathan Vos remembered how disappointed she was after the semi-final loss.

“She did a lot of work in the offseason to get herself in shape to make sure she could play every minute, every game,” Vos said.

Keanna Ryan, a midfielder going into her third year of eligibility, missed the first half of the 2022 season as she had surgery for a torn meniscus. She loved watching her teammates play but missed playing. When she was finally cleared to play in the final few weeks, the heartbreak continued.

“In our semi-final game, I was ready to make up for lost time and give it my all. I was fired up from our championship win (in 2021) and I was excited. Unfortunately, the game did not end as I had planned. It was devastating to say the least. Losing with a team that had so much faith and love for each other was very tough. 

“Safe to say we had revenge on our minds for 2023. I had something to prove to myself and I wanted to work hard for my teammates and coaches who deserved success. I would run hills after practices on weekdays, go for runs after work at night, go out early in the morning to do footwork training,” Ryan said.

Meanwhile, there were some “new kids on the block” who would be tasked to make an immediate impact.

Goalkeeper, Allie Rutt, was recruited to the squad at a tournament in Bridgewater, N.S. The former Canada Games player was initially set on a gap year but jumped on the opportunity to join the Hurricanes after a promising campus tour.

“I did not know what to expect of the (collegiate) level. However, if you know me, I'm never one to shy away from competition. Competition and the high-level of compete is what supports my love for the sport. I knew that I would be alright when stepping on the field as a Hurricane.

“I did feel some pressure to compete and perform extremely well so we would get through to the finals. But I had no doubt I could do it. I’m someone who loves pressure and it’s what makes me my best,” Rutt said.

The team also recruited defender and Cameroon native Cassandra Forsuh, who was described by coach Vos as a “super athletic, competitive person with a good spirit to have around.”

While Vos continued to prepare his team for redemption, the biggest news came in February 2023, when it was announced that the Holland Hurricanes would host the 2023 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Soccer National Championship at the Credit Union Place in Summerside, P.E.I.

“The announcement was kind of interesting because, for one thing, we were going to Summerside, which was a different venue for us. That wasn’t our home field, but at the same time, it was kind of cool. Going to Summerside allowed us to be together, a little more bubbled as a team and a group. Obviously avoiding the travel and jet lag too. It was exciting that we were going to have that competition at home,” Vos said.

Rutt was excited when she heard the news.

“To be a part of Nationals while also doing it on home turf was exciting. I pushed myself every day to do better in practice and I would set goals each day and strive to achieve them knowing I would be prepared to compete at that level to put on a good performance for the fans,” Rutt said.

Entering the season, Vos knew he had a good roster that could win all 12 regular season games, but he remembered a lesson learned back in his first year as the head coach of the men’s soccer team.

“I’ve only been coaching the women’s team for three years now, but I’ve been on the men’s side for almost 15. We were always thinking about peaking at the right time, so not necessarily saying, ‘okay, let’s win 12 games.’ I actually learned that lesson my first year with the men. I tried to operate like that, and we peaked at the wrong time. Won our first seven and then kind of fluttered going into the playoffs and lost a tough one in the final. An undefeated season is nice, but that’s not necessarily the end goal.

“We knew we had a balanced roster. We had a good spine. We knew from defensively to attack and in the midfield that we were going to be a solid, balanced team,” Vos said.

It’s as if the soccer gods heard Vos and awarded him for his humble tactics.

12 wins. Zero losses. Zero draaws. 49 goals for. Six goals against. Eight shutouts. The team didn’t shy away from a few close calls, however, including a few last-minute squeakers and a four-goal comeback rally in the regular-season finale.

“There could have been a draw or even a loss here or there, but somehow the girls found ways to persevere, just find a way every game. That final game, we were making sure everybody was healthy. We rotated the squad a little bit. A super windy day at the Terry Fox Sports Complex. Down three nil at halftime, we didn’t want to deviate from the squad rotation. We managed to put four goals in during the second half and have an undefeated season, which was amazing,” Vos said.

In the ACAA Championships in Halifax, N.S., the ‘Canes experienced a few jitters in the semi-finals against the St. Thomas University (STU) Tommies but walked away with a 7-0 win and a berth TO the championship game against the University of King’s College (UKC) Blue Devils.

The nerves were truly experienced in Sunday’s finale as both teams remained scoreless at halftime.

“We were comfortable and in control, but I didn’t want us to feel comfortable because that’s when you can let your guard down a bit. That was our halftime talk, go up another notch. I remember looking at my watch in the 65th minute and feeling that finals nerve. It was really tight. Anything could’ve happened in the last 30 minutes, but the girls played a better second half,” Vos said.

Heart rates were lowered for the Hurricanes in the 88th minute as third-year striker Emma MacIntyre scored to give her team a 1-0 lead, sealing the deal for the squad’s seventh ACAA Championship.

Seven players were named to ACAA All-Conference Teams, including Emily Lepine, Misha Koyari, Reese Kelly, Allie Rutt, Keanna Ryan, Cassandra Forsuh, and Helena Vos. Lepine was also named the ACAA Player of the Year and Jonathan Vos was named the ACAA Coach of the Year.

But the season was not even close to over, as the girls had a national championship to chase between Nov. 8 and Nov. 11, and they weren’t going to be top dogs anymore.

“The girls knew that, typically, the expectation at nationals for an Atlantic team hasn’t been very much success, so we went from the pressure of being the best to an underdog right off the bat. I think that helped with our players and how they approached nationals,” Vos said.

The Hurricanes began the nationals with a Wednesday afternoon match against the Douglas Royals (New Westminster, B.C.), taking advantage of a hot start and winning 4-1.

“That first game really gave the girls confidence that they can beat anybody,” Vos said.

But then, there was Thursday’s game against the Dynamiques de Sainte-Foy (Quebec), a match filled with turmoil. Under cold, rainy conditions, both teams battled hard but couldn’t get on the scoreboard by halftime. After each team swapped goals between the 62nd and 77th minutes, the game went to penalty kicks. Unfortunately, Sainte-Foy outscored Holland 4-2, ultimately ending the team’s winning streak at 15 games.

Vos said it was a tough result, but he thought his team played better overall.

“I feel that we did enough to deserve to win that game. (Sainte-Foy) had a phenomenal keeper who played excellently for them. Losing in penalty shots was tough. It was something we did in training leading up.

“It was a hard post-game speech with the girls. But we were all pretty vulnerable in that moment. We were a great group to help everyone through it. We did our best to talk about it, debrief it several times before the next game,” Vos said.

Allie Rutt said many tears were shed after the game.

“We took time to reflect on that game. Some took longer than others. I know the second the whistle blew what it meant, and as soon as I left that field, I picked my head up and knew what I had to come out and do the next day. I was not going to leave that field without a bronze around my neck alongside my teammates,” Rutt said.

The Hurricanes persevered with a resilient 1-0 win in an ACAA Championship Game rematch against the UKC Blue Devils on Friday, clinching a spot in the bronze medal game on Saturday against the Champlain Saint-Lambert Cavaliers (Saint-Lambert, Quebec). On yet another cold and rainy day, Holland rebounded from a rough first half with a goal by Misha Koyari in the 69th minute and a perfectly executed defensive strategy for the rest of the game, eventually hanging on to claim the team’s first-ever national medal.

Emily Lepine was named a CCAA All-Canadian while Koyari and Keanna Ryan were named National Championship All-Stars. Although bronze wasn’t the colour the team wanted, Ryan said it was an absolute honour to represent the team in front of an electric fan base.

“I accepted that medal with great pride. I was incredibly proud of my team. We fought with everything we had in us those four games at Nationals and third place in Canada is definitely not something to shake your head at.

“The atmosphere at each game we played was absolutely electric. We would have the stands packed full with supporters. People had drums, cowbells, posters. It was crazy. I have never experienced all of that excitement from a player’s point of view. It was nerve-wracking, exciting, and kind of terrifying, but after getting over the initial shock, I was just grateful for all of the people who came to support us and believed in us,” Ryan said.

Ryan does not plan to return next season as she will be focusing on academics elsewhere. She thanked the coaching staff for pushing her to her limits, and Athletics Director, Albert Roche, for always making her feel welcome at Holland College and making her feel like an important part of the team.

Vos commended the players for an incredible season and their competitive spirit through a turbulent time at nationals.

“They put in a lot of minutes that week, which anyone that plays soccer knows it’s hard enough to play a full 90 minutes and play back to back, let alone four games. It’s a big physical and mental grind. I was really proud of the girls for battling all the way through. They were on the right edge of being competitive and we were fortunate to come out on top.

“(Emily) Lepine had a huge year. She showed it in the number of goals that she scored for us and she had eight game winners. Misha Koyari did an amazing job on the ball defending. We had to tell her to stop running so much and stop working so hard. Kina Azuma was great beside her. Keanna Ryan was a rock at the back. Allie Rutt flew under the radar a little bit. She didn’t see too many shots, but she was an exceptional goalkeeper.

“Kristyn Taylor really showed up in that first game at nationals. Every time we put her in, she didn’t have any nerves. She’s not going to care who she’s playing. She’s just going to go out and compete, and she showed that when we needed her,” Vos said.

Looking forward to 2024, Vos said it’ll be interesting to see who returns and how competitive the group will remain. 

“I think this group did something special that really set the bar for what our college can do now at nationals. Great that we can compete with anyone, that’s always our expectation. But now you see it, so your belief can go up a little bit.

“We do have a good little core coming back and then we’ll be bringing in some new players as well. But every year, we’re looking to win that ACAA title and be competitive. Any time we step on the pitch, we feel we’re there,” Vos said.

Rutt said she can’t wait to return next season and will prepare at home in Nova Scotia during the summer.

“(The team) will consist of new people and new opportunities. I can’t wait to see what the new season and players will bring to (the ACAA). Hurricanes work hard and play with heart. We do it for each other and that’s why we win. I’m ready and excited to be faced with this next challenge and I believe the team will do more great things,” Rutt said. 

The women’s soccer program thanks everyone for their support throughout a historic season. Check back soon for the release of the 2024 ACAA Women’s Soccer schedule. 

Connect with the women’s soccer Hurricanes at www.twitter.com/caneswsoccer andwww.instagram.com/caneswsoccer.

For more information on the Holland Hurricanes, please visit www.hollandhurricanes.com,  www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, www.twitter.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.

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