The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's soccer team kicks off their 2017 regular season campaign this Saturday, August 26 when they host the Nipissing Lakers at Varsity Stadium.
 
The Blues also host the Laurentian Voyageurs on Sunday (Aug. 27). Both matches are free and open to the public, with kick off set for 12 p.m.
 
2017 is shaping up to be the year for the Varsity Blues to turn heads in the OUA. The squad boasts five returning veterans, four of which enter their fifth and final year of eligibility. Returning co-captains Laura Krkachovski and Christine Mulligan welcome fourth-year striker Chelsea Cheung into the leadership group this season.
 
The trio thinks they have what it takes to reach the OUA Final Four for the first time since 2004.
 
"There definitely isn't an easy game in the OUA East division and teams don't get very far if they play as individuals, as opposed to working as a cohesive 11 for 90 minutes," said Krkachovski, a two-time OUA all-star. "We have a great recruiting class this year that is willing to step in when necessary. That, along with our strong core of veterans, should lead us to be successful in the OUA medal matches."
 
"We need to take advantage of our strong core of returning players," said Mulligan, who returned for a fifth year to do a Master's of Nutritional Sciences. "But more importantly, we need to come together as a team, play to our strengths and build a team dynamic that will carry us through this season and through seasons to come."
 
"It's easy to be affected by the knowledge of our playoff history, but in order to succeed we have to let the past go and move forward one match at a time," said Cheung, a 2016 OUA all-star. "We must play every match to win and this starts with our season opener. The preparation to succeed later, starts now."
 
Other returning veterans include fifth-year midfielder and 2016 OUA all-star Nicki Parkes, as well as fifth-year striker Alyssa Golin.
 
Parkes will be relied upon to lead in the midfield and welcomes Julia Gonsalves back to the roster in 2017. Gonsalves had a breakout rookie season in 2015 before being sidelined due to injury in 2016. She, along with sophomore Maddie MacKay are expected to shine this year.
 
Cheung will look to Golin and third-year standout Natasha Klasios to lead the team offensively again this season. Klasios, who is currently representing Canada at the 2017 FISU Summer Universiade in Taipei, led the team and ranked third in the province with 11 goals last season. She was named the team's lone OUA East first team all-star in 2016.
 
Krkachovski and Mulligan will provide leadership to an impressive back line in front of two sophomore goalkeepers in Stephania Turyk and Vanna Staggolis.
 
Following their home opening weekend, the Blues head to Ottawa (Sep 1-2) to take on the Ottawa Gee-Gees and Carleton Ravens. 

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