The University of Toronto’s Faculty of Physical Education and Health (FPEH) announced today that Varsity Blues assistant coach Eva Havaris has been appointed the interim head coach of the Varsity Blues women’s soccer team for the 2008 season.

Beth McCharles, head coach from 2004-2007, has stepped down as the part-time head coach of the Blues soccer program in order to focus on completing her PhD in Exercise Science-Sport Psychology.

With an already accomplished coaching history, Havaris came to the U of T having served two years as head coach at Fanshawe College (2005-2007). The 2005 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) coach of the year, she led Fanshawe to two consecutive top-two finishes in league play, its first provincial championship in 10 years and a very successful fourth-place finish at the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) national championship in 2005.

Havaris has also been an instrumental leader as head coach of the London City Soccer Club’s U14 and U15 provincial championship teams, and served as an assistant coach with the University of Western Ontario Mustangs in 2004, where she helped guide the team to its first OUA championship in six years.  She finished her own illustrious intercollegiate playing career with the Mustangs in 2003 after tallying a long list of awards, including being named the CIS player of the year in her final season.

“Eva’s resume speaks for itself,” states Liz Hoffman, Director of Athletics at the University of Toronto. “She is a young but accomplished coach with an incredible passion for the game. She will undoubtedly continue to develop and grow the Varsity Blues women’s soccer program.”

McCharles made an immediate impact upon her arrival at the University. She led the Blues to a 9-3-1 record and a bronze medal at the OUA championship in 2004 – a major turnaround for a team that saw only one victory in 2003. During her tenure, McCharles was named 2006 OUA coach of the year, while her squads produced four all-Canadians and 17 OUA all-stars.

“Beth did an incredible job as the head coach of our women’s soccer team,” says Hoffman. “We wish her all the best in her studies as she looks to complete a very demanding PhD program.”

A search for a full-time athletic instructor and women’s soccer head coach will begin in October 2008.

The Varsity Blues women’s soccer team finished the 2007 season as the runner-up in the OUA East division.  The team lost a quarter-final match to the visiting Carleton Ravens in a shootout, ending their playoff run. Five players were honoured as 2007 OUA all-stars, while one – midfielder Erica Basso – was also named a second team all-Canadian.

U of T is set to host the 2009 CIS women’s soccer championship from November 12th to 15th at Varsity Centre, and will also host the CIS men’s championship in November 2010.