Heather Hamel commits to Laurentian soccer team

NEWS RELEASE

LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

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HEATHER HAMEL COMMITS TO LADY VEES SOCCER PROGRAM

SUDBURY, Ont. – Head coach Rob Gallo announced that Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native Heather Hamel has committed to the Lady Vees soccer program and will enrol as a Nursing student in the fall.

Hamel is a five-foot-three-inch midfielder who attends St. Mary’s College in Sault Ste Marie. She plays her club soccer for the well-known Sault Ste. Marie Civics organization. This high school senior has been part of two city league and playoff soccer championships while also competing as a high school wrestler and studying martial arts. Hamel has also shined academically being named an Ontario Scholar, and receiving the Healthy Active Living award and the Helmut Brandstetter award for high school academic achievement, community and sport involvement.

Hamel is a strong believer of working hard, training hard and being a good team player. Her ball handling skills, passing abilities, field vision, positive attitude and good stamina will all be great assets to the Lady Vees soccer program for the next five years.

“Heather is a solid central midfielder” said head coach Rob Gallo. “She has an excellent ability to connect with forwards and outside midfielders. She reads the game very well, delivers quality balls and has a consistent work rate and plays at a high pace for the entire game.”

Hamel’s interest in health and science made Laurentian all that more appealing when she became aware of Laurentian expanding that area with the Northern Ontario Medical School, Health Promotion and various other health related programs.

“When I visited Laurentian it showed me that Laurentian was the perfect size, offered a variety of programs and obviously would allow me to play varsity soccer at the University level fairly close to home” said Hamel.

Hamel is excited for the new plethora of opportunities that are now in front of her as she makes the transition to university level soccer and school. “I am most excited about playing at a higher level of competition, with a new coach, new team-mates and new plays” said Hamel.

“Representing Laurentian University and travelling to other universities will give me a chance to see other cities and meet new people” added Hamel.

Hamel will begin her career at Laurentian when training camp for the Lady Vees opens on August 18 at the Laurentian soccer fields. She will see her first game action when the Laurentian women travel to Erie, Pennsylvania to compete in exhibition game on August 20 to 22, and then will see her first OUA action when the Ottawa Gee-Gees and Carleton Ravens come to visit the Laurentian soccer fields for the Vees home opening weekend on Labour Day weekend.

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