By Keiran Gorsky
Cindy Yang, the scoring champion, took some time to truly embrace her unique and explosive skills. When she transitioned from West Ottawa Soccer Club to the Ottawa South United Force Academy five years ago, she quickly realized there was still much to learn.
“I would say I was one of the [worst] on the team, honestly,” Yang shares. “It took me a few years to sort of find the way I wanted to play.”
Even though she hasn’t had the chance to represent Team Canada yet-something her long-time club coach believes she should-Yang has continued building an impressive resume with several remarkable achievements this summer.
This summer marked her first season with OSU’s senior team in the top Quebec Ligue 1 women’s division. Competing against college-level players across North America, the 16-year-old was amazed to find herself tied for the league lead in goals with 10 scored in just 13 matches for her team that finished with a record of 5-6-2.
Yang also boasted the highest goals-per-match average and ranked third overall in U21 espoir scoring despite playing in only 11 of OSU’s 16 regular-season games.
She continued her dominance by topping the scoring chart during the U21 playoffs, helping secure a championship trophy as well.
In a thrilling semifinal match, Yang netted a hat trick leading Force to a convincing 4-0 victory over Royal Beauport. She followed this up by scoring OSU’s only goal in the final against CF Montreal’s academy team and contributed another goal during penalties as OSU celebrated winning their inaugural league trophy.
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The busy schedule of jumping from one team to another made for an eventful summer for Yang, especially considering what’s ahead. Last September, she accepted an early offer from Yale University Bulldogs in NCAA’s Ivy League Conference.
With exams and SATs approaching at last school year’s end, Yang missed some regular-season matches while focusing on her studies. Frustratingly, she’s not quite sure what concrete goals are set for her academic journey.
“You know, Yale’s very big on academics,” Yang remarks matter-of-factly. “The coaches just say try to keep your grades up as much as possible. It’s very vague.”
Still, Yang feels reassured knowing what comes next in both her sporting and academic life as she embarks on her final year at Earl of March Secondary School where she achieved a stellar GPA of 4.0 last year.
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Hopes for Team Canada
Cindy Yang. Photo: Ontario Soccer For David Fox, Yang’s long-time coach at OSU, it comes as somewhat of a surprise that their standout striker hasn’t been part of Canada’s youth national teams yet. Her teammates Naomi Lofthouse, Mia Ugarte and Felicia Hanisch joined National Development Centre-based Mya Angus for Canada’s U17 women’s squad at this summer’s Four Nations Tournament in Mexico. The all-time Canadian youth leading goal scorer Annabelle Chukwu briefly returned to OSU this season between appearances with the senior national team. As Fox points out, internationally popular forwards tend to be tall and physical; although standing at just 5’4″, opposing defenders-and statistics-tell a different story about Yang’s effectiveness. “I think when some of the coaches look, they don’t look carefully enough,” Fox emphasizes. “[Yang] is smaller than the stereotypical national team player but she’s super strong and super fast. In one-on-one situations, I’m not sure there’s a better player in Canada.” This may change soon for Yang since she’s received an invitation to attend a training camp before November’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. For now though, she’s concentrating on what lies ahead as she moves closer toward what could be an exciting professional career. “It’s not really my say,” says Yang. “I think it would be absolutely amazing… hopefully fingers crossed that I’ll get that opportunity.”Farewell from David Fox
David Fox. Photo: Greg Kolz / Ottawa Sports Awards The provincial championship win by OSU’s U21 team marks David Fox’s final chapter after six incredible years with Force. Came from England shortly before COVID hit; he led numerous female Force teams through successful seasons while celebrating many victories alongside players who have gone on to represent national and international levels successfully. Named Ottawa Sports Awards Male Coach of Year for 2024; he’s planning some family visits abroad after his departure. “Working every evening and every weekend for much of that time without taking much time off means it’s time for me take a little break,” says Fox. “We’re all proud of what we’ve achieved together over these past five or six years.”OSU Claims Men’s Esprit Title Too
The OSU Force also claimed double titles within Quebec espoir league when their U19 men’s side clinched victory at month-end August thanks largely due unexpected playoff heroics shown by Jaheim Hoindo. A midfielder by trade but filling gaps at center-back necessity throughout season-opposing players were surprised seeing big #9 stamped proudly across Hoindo jersey. “They always think I’m going be striker,” laughs Hoindo who is taking gap year after high school while weighing future options. “Can’t recall if scored once or twice during men’ s regular season.” However come playoff intensity he stepped forward delivering crucial plays when needed most! Dashing through corner kick setup allowed him seize ball driving it deep into net marking quick score giving his squad important jump ahead leading Celtix Haut-Richelieu (9th minute semifinal). The Force triumphed over Celtix who had placed higher overall winning score line stands firmly showing three-to-one triumph back home field Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Quebec espoir U19 men’s league-champion OSU Force! Photo: OSU During match saw six yellow cards issued against our boys yet Mateo Kerloch representing Richelieu received early second-half dismissal following carded violation. Hoindo added two more decisive strikes finals against CS St-Laurent culminating five-two victory; his first tally came courtesy another set piece execution. “In those semifinal final encounters exactly needed someone will emerge unexpectedly fulfill role not anticipated opponents prep,” reflects head coach Vladan Vrsecky.Related
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