Kroeker, Provost, Marzouk named OUA athletes of the week

Burlington, Ont. – Lexi Kroeker, Cassandra Provost, and Omar Marzouk have been named OUA athletes of the week for the period ending September 10, 2023.

Lexi Kroeker, Soccer, Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks

The Wilfrid Laurier offence was flying high this weekend in the team’s two games against Algoma, and at the heart of their offensive output was Lexi Kroeker.

The fourth-year forward from Kitchener, Ont. catapulted the Golden Hawks to two convincing wins, setting the tone early and often in the first matchup on Saturday. Kroeker got her side out to a quick 4-0 lead in the opening half, notching the first four goals of the game in succession on just five shots on goal. The sociology major would back that up with a brace in the rematch the following day, once again scoring the first goal of the game and then registering Laurier’s fifth marker before the half.

Kroeker finished up her weekend with six goals, including both game-winners, on a combined eight shots on goal. Not only was she effective, but efficient as well, as he accomplished those marks in just 49 minutes of field time in the first game and 45 minutes on Sunday.

Cassandra Provost, Soccer, Ottawa Gee-Gees

Cassandra Provost was in fine form this past weekend when her Ottawa Gee-Gees took on a pair of Toronto-based teams en route to a five-goal stretch for the reigning OUA and U SPORTS player of the year.

In tough against the hungry Toronto Varsity Blues on Friday, the Gee-Gees turned to their decorated third-year forward to open the scoring. Provost provided a pair of goals, in the 46th and 58th minute, respectively, to give the Garnet and Grey a cushion, and ultimately, a lead they would not relinquish. She would follow that up with an even greater presence on the scoresheet later in the weekend. She netted the opening goal against TMU on Sunday, followed by her second of the game just over 20 minutes later. She would wrap up the hat trick – her first of the season – in the 77th minute to seal the deal on her team’s strong 5-1 triumph over the Bold.

Not only did Provost’s output help Ottawa secure the six points, but it showed once again that the dynamic goal-scorer from Acton Vale, Que. can find the back of the net in a variety of styles. Three of her markers this weekend came via the header, including a highlight-reel effort on Friday followed up another pair against the Bold to prove it was no fluke.

Omar Marzouk, Soccer, Ontario Tech Ridgebacks

In his first two starts with the Ridgebacks, Omar Marzouk lit up the scoresheet to help his Ontario Tech squad achieve program-best marks on the pitch this past weekend.

Marzouk and the Ridgebacks provided stiff competition in what proved to be back-to-back program highs for margin of victory. It didn’t take long for the fifth-year forward from Cairo, Egypt to start chipping in, as he would open the scoring against Laurentian just over four minutes in on Saturday. He would back that up with his second of the game almost 10 minutes later, and after seeing his teammate push the Ridgebacks’ lead to three, would start the second half with two more goals to bring his game total to four.

Marzouk’s scoring touch would continue on from there, as he once again notched the ice-breaking goal on Sunday. He made it back-to-back multi-goal games when he netted his second in the 35th minute, before completing the hat trick early in the second half to push his two-game total to seven.

The education major now sits tied atop the OUA goals list alongside teammate Brett Springer.