Ooks chase national redemption at CCAA championship
By Jeremy Russo on November 2, 2025
The NAIT Ooks men’s soccer team is jetting east to the national championship in Saint-Lambert, QUE., after winning a second straight ACAC title this season.
The boys in blue open the 2025 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association National Tournament (CCAA) on Wednesday, Nov. 5 against the host, the Saint-Lambert Cavaliers on Seaway Park Three Turf.
“I think they’re very focused. We’ve had a challenging year, and we seem to find a way to battle through under tough circumstances,” said NAIT assistant coach Paul Kelly. “We want to make sure that our defending is as sound as it has been throughout the year… we need to work a bit on finishing.”
The Ooks make their way to Canada’s East Coast on Monday, allowing a day of rest before Wednesday’s opening matchup inside La Belle Province. Coaches say the team continues to rely on the structure that carried them through an authoritative regular season – emphasizing disciplined defending and quick transitional play.
NAIT coaching staff said the team is hoping to express their hunger for redemption, after being knocked out (placing fifth) in the 2024 national bracket in Fredericton, N.B by the Cavaliers.
“It’s a chance at redemption because last year of course we got there at New Brunswick to nationals and it wasn’t a good experience for us… we finished in fifth place and now we’re shooting for higher expectations,” said head coach Jeff Paulus. “We’re just preparing for nationals how we prepare for every single game – going to watch our opponents and as well – studying what they do and what we can do to mitigate what they do as well.” added captain Peter Jones.
The national bracket runs on a tight, single-elimination schedule, meaning every result determines whether NAIT stays in medal contention. If the Ooks advance to the gold medal match, that game is set for Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. M.T.
The Ooks are looking for their third national title in history, the first coming in 1987, then 14 years ago in 2011 – Full tournament details are available through the CCAA championship page.