Pitch Perfect: Algonquin College’s Legacy of Soccer Success
From our first Varsity national gold medal to Hall of Fame players. Explore highlights from the history of Varsity Soccer at Algonquin College.
Published: September 10, 2025
The Men’s team took home its first national gold in 2002-03 and followed up with another in 2006-07. Whether on the court or field, being part of the Pack is all about coming together as a team.
As part of the 55th anniversary of the Algonquin Students’ Association (SA), we want to celebrate our Varsity athletes.
First up: soccer. Our players and coaches have long excelled at “the Beautiful Game.”
Highlight reel moments for our Women’s Soccer team include earning provincial gold in 1984-85 — the team’s first championship under the SA’s stewardship, and a gold medal three-peat (2015-2017).
Men’s Soccer milestones include national gold in 2002-03 and 2006-07, and six gold medals in a row from 2004 to 2009. More recently, they took home a national silver medal in 2024 — their first under the Algonquin Wolves banner.
The Women’s Soccer team earned three provincial gold medals in a row between 2015-2017.
Women’s soccer celebrated the first of three consecutive provincial gold medals in 2015.
The Men’s team took home a national silver medal in 2024 — their first under the Algonquin Wolves banner.
Men’s Soccer milestones include six provincial gold medals in a row from 2004 to 2009.
“Algonquin has a storied history and honestly it means a lot,” two-time All-Canadian Mike Gagliano told the OCAA back in 2009. “When you put on a jersey that says Algonquin on the back, it’s special. You look down the line at the players that have worn the jersey… it’s unbelievable to be associated with those names and it is something of prestige you could say.”
The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Hall of Fame has inducted three of our players and one coach. Learn more from their inductee bios below:
Angus Wong (2002-2004)
Wong established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the country while helping lead the then Algonquin Thunder to two provincial championships and a silver medal. Wong capped off his rookie season in 2002 by helping the team capture the national championship, marking the first-ever Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) gold medal for Algonquin across all team sports. He was named to the CCAA’s 50th Anniversary 50 for 50 list, recognizing the top players in its history. His contributions helped solidify Algonquin as one of the premier soccer programs in the country.
Wong returned to the program in 2017 as an assistant coach before being named head coach of the Wolves in 2022. Under his guidance, the Wolves have reestablished themselves as one of the top teams in the country, earning provincial and national silver medals in 2024. Wong was also named the OCAA Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year in 2024.
Mike Caruso (1998 – 2000)
Caruso was one of his generation’s top strikers. He is currently ranked as the OCAA’s sixth all-time leading scorer with 34 goals and was named to the OCAA Men’s Soccer All-Millennium Team.
He played a pivotal role in leading Algonquin to a provincial gold medal in the 1999-2000 season, helping the team earn a berth in the national championship. During his tenure on the pitch, Caruso was recognized as an OCAA all-star and national championship tournament all-star.
Roland Tiamuh (1997 – 1999)
A two-sport athlete in soccer and basketball at Algonquin College, Tiamuh was a dominant player at the midfielder and point guard positions for his respective teams.
Tiamuh was an integral member during a 1999 provincial championship run for men’s soccer, in which he was selected to the Championship All-Star team. The team finished that season with a silver medal at the national championship.
Stephen O’Kane (2001 – 2008)
After working as an assistant coach for Men’s Soccer from 2001 to 2003, and winning the provincial and national championships in 2002, O’Kane was named head coach in 2004. Under his leadership, the team won four consecutive provincial championships (2004-2007) and went on to the national Final Four in all four years — earning a national gold medal in 2006.
O’Kane went on to become the head coach of the Ottawa Fury for two seasons and led the team to a division title.
CCAA All Canadians
At the national level, seven women’s soccer players and 11 men’s soccer players have been named CCAA All Canadians. Three players have the rare distinction of being honoured twice. They are:
- Kelly Avalos, 2010-11, 2012-13:
A premier defensive player, Avalos was named provincial player of the year twice. In 2012, she led the Thunder to an undefeated season and an OCAA East championship. - Rich Furano, 2002-03, 2003-04:
Furano was named player of the game when Algonquin won its first national men’s soccer title in 2002-03 – the crowning touch on an undefeated regular season. - Mike Gagliano, 2005-06, 2006-07:
A star defender, Gagliano’s accomplishments were an integral part of a Men’s soccer team that won 5-straight OCAA gold medals.
Here is the complete list of Algonquin College’s other All Canadians:
Women's Soccer
- Melissa Guertin, 2002-03
- Chelsea Saunders, 2011-12
- Jenna Baldree, 2013-14
- Amy Savage, 2014-15
- Sylvie Avedissian, 2015-16
- Melissa Gilligan, 2017-18
- Mike Caruso, 1997-98
- Angus Wong, 2003-04
- Eja-Tabe Huffman, 2004-05
- Loui Legakis, 2006-07
- Will Beauge, 2008-09
- Sean Pound, 2009-10
- Abraham Kamara, 2013-14
- Stephane Emard, 2014-15
- Justin Gibson, 2019-20