Woman's soccer lands three OUA West All-Stars

HAMILTON, Ont. – Ontario University Athletics announced their women's soccer award winners today, and three Badgers earn West division All-Star recognition.  Rookie forward Larissa Bruzzese (Welland, Ont.) earned first team honours while Cassandre Van Bakel (Aurora, Ont.) and Stephanie DiMartino (Markham, Ont.) were named to the second team.

Bruzzese earns first team honours in her rookie season with the Badgers.  The speedy forward lead the OUA West in scoring with eight goals on the season, and in the process set the Badgers single season scoring record.

Van Bakel, a fourth-year forward, was named an OUA West All-Star for the third consecutive season.  Van Bakel was a strong playmaker and often drew the attention the opponent's top defender. Her second team nod this season goes along with the first team awards she won in 2008 and 2009.

DiMartino, a sophomore, is one of the top defensive players in Ontario.  Her calm demeanor, smart play and strong leadership made her an anchor in the Badgers backfield.  The second team All-Star award is the first of her career.

Under first year head coach John Durish, the Badgers started their season slowly, going 1-5-1 in their first seven games.  Eventually the team picked things up and finished the season on a 3-1-3 run and earned a play-off spot.  The Badgers postseason ended in heartbreaking fashion as they dropped a 1-0 overtime decision to the Windsor Lancers.

OUA WOMEN'S WEST SOCCER ALL-STARS AND MAJOR AWARD WINNERS