The Conestoga Condors men’s soccer team completed its season November 11 with a silver medal at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men’s Soccer Championship in Windsor, Ontario. This is the best performance in men’s program history with the squad also capturing the provincial championship in October.
The men’s soccer team completed its season November 11 with a silver medal at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association's Men’s Soccer Championship. Pictured: Conestoga's Malachi Ramsay
The Condors opened the tournament with a 1-0 quarterfinal win over Vancouver Island University of Nanaimo, B.C. and then went on to defeat Collège Ahuntsic of Montreal, Quebec 2-1 in a semifinal match that was decided in extra time by a penalty pick from Malachi Ramsay.
“At first there were some nerves, but then I just felt confident,” said Ramsay, as he recalled the successful kick that secured a chance to play for gold.
The moment was the culmination of a five-year journey for the Business Fundamentals student and team captain, who also noted the progression and improvement of the men’s soccer program during his time at Conestoga.
The gold medal match saw Conestoga pitted against Douglas College of New Westminster, B.C. The teams finished with a 1-1 draw through regulation and extra time, with Douglas coming out on top in penalty kicks. The loss was the first for Conestoga in an otherwise perfect season.
“This team had a spirit of camaraderie and family unlike any other I have ever coached,” said head coach Stuart Mackie. “Although we had a 16-1 record, it wasn’t always easy as we had to come back and battle adversity in several matches throughout the year.”
Though he gives full credit to the players for reaching the national championships, Mackie also commented on the important role the coaching and management team played in the team’s success. He pointed out the contributions of assistant coaches Jamie Brackpool, Mickael Roquette, Ramiz Kurtzman, Ian Anderson, and Peter Mackie (Stuart’s father) were instrumental, and he specifically highlighted and praised the work of varsity coordinator Marlene Ford for her commitment and dedication to the program.
“Marlene is the reason Peter and I are here. Her support has helped us take things to the next level. We’re now able to compete with the bigger schools in the Greater Toronto Area and our goal is to stay there, and to contend for provincials every year,” said Mackie.
Attention now turns to the upcoming season with optimism that the accomplishments of this year will carry over and continue to foster more growth and success within the program.
“The 2023 men’s soccer team had all of the elements that make up a championship team - talent, depth, coaching, worth ethic, and determination,” added Andrew Bates, associate director, Sport & Recreation. “They are all very deserving of their success this season, and we couldn’t be happier for them, especially the graduating athletes that have dedicated much of their time at Conestoga to varsity men’s soccer.”
The CCAA is the governing body for national intercollegiate championships, enriching the academic experience of student-athletes by providing leadership, programs and services that foster development through high-level competitive opportunities in sport.
Conestoga's Athletics & Recreation department offers programming and facilities designed to engage students and enhance their health and wellness through varsity and extramural athletics, intramural sports and fitness classes. The Student Recreation Centre at the Kitchener - Doon campus provides a full range of recreation and athletic services. It also houses a 35,000 square-foot fitness centre outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment.