After their first CIS championship appearance in school history, the Varsity Blues women’s soccer team are back and better than ever. With 14 returning players and a strong batch of recruits, the Blues are sure to challenge Ontario’s best and will look for their second consecutive national tournament berth in 2010.

Despite the loss of veteran goalkeeper Mary Anne Barnes, U of T will continue to be solid between the pipes. Starting this season will be fifth-year Ottawa Gee-Gees transfer Kat Vulic. A CIS all-Canadian, Vulic is a great leader who will step in a serve as co-captain this season.

Toronto will count on the defensive corps that allowed only eight goals in 16 games in 2009. Co-captain Janessa Banwell, as well as veterans Alicia Lashley and Nav Deol will serve as the foundation of Toronto’s back line, while incoming recruit Fatima Braimoh, a fast and composed outside defender with excellent one-on-one skills, will also see playing time.

Arin King and Mel Seabra look to control the midfield with the help of Western Mustangs transfer Kate Crowley. King has spent the summer competing with Trinidad & Tobago’s national team, while Crowley is a four-time OUA all-star and was named a CIS all-Canadian in 2005. Lisa English and Caroline Murphy are also solid additions to U of T’s middle.

Up front, the Blues will rely on strikers Jessica Fantozzi, Jennifer Siu and Mel Bowen to continue Toronto’s offensive dominance in the OUA East. Fantozzi led the team with seven goals last season, while Siu displayed her scoring touch with two goals against the eventual silver medalist Montreal Carabins in U of T’s opening game of the 2009 CIS championship.

“Our team’s outlook is very promising in 2010,” said head coach Eva Havaris. “We have a very talented squad that now has the national experience and leadership qualities we need as a program to elevate to another level in our quest to be the best in the country.”

The Varsity Blues open their season on the road against the Nipissing Lakers (Sept. 3) and Laurentian Voyageurs (Sept. 4). U of T returns to Varsity Centre for their home opener on Saturday, September 11 versus Queen’s. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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