STEVE VAGNINI NAMED OCAA COACH OF THE YEAR
By Josh Bell-Webster
The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) has announced that Steve Vagnini of St. Clair College has been named its 2025-26 Coach of the Year. Vagnini was at the helm of a Saints team that completed a memorable women’s outdoor soccer season in 2025. Vagnini’s leadership earned him triple honours as the OCAA, West Division and CCAA Coach of the Year at season’s end.
During his near-decade with the St. Clair program, Vagnini has cultivated a culture of accountability, respect and teamwork. By prioritizing comprehensive player development — covering technical, tactical, physical and psychological growth — he has ensured his athletes evolve into well-rounded individuals and competitors. Vagnini’s stewardship has helped produce high-achieving student-athletes, including Victoria Walsh, the 2025 OCAA West Player of the Year and CCAA All-Canadian.
Vagnini is as committed to his players’ personal and academic development as he is to their performance. Through biweekly meetings, Vagnini monitors their academic progress and personal goal-setting, underscoring his belief that character and education are paramount. Ultimately, Vagnini’s philosophy ensures that every student-athlete graduates from the program more confident and capable than when they arrived.
The Saints were coming off a 2024 season where they finished near the top of the West Division standings but were upset in the opening round of the OCAA playoffs. With a core of returning players mixed with some key additions, Vagnini looked to reverse the disappointment of past seasons. St. Clair began 2025 by levelling two-time reigning OCAA silver medalist Humber 2-2 before avenging its crossover loss the previous season to Sheridan winning 4-0.
After going 3-0-3 during the month of September, the Saints turned it on for the stretch run. St. Clair won four straight matches to conclude the regular season, averaging five goals on offence while recording three clean sheets. The Saints secured the West Division championship with an overall 7-0-3 record, allowing just five goals against in 10 matches, never once tasting defeat. It marked St. Clair’s first divisional title in 26 years.
Avoiding the pitfall of another first-round upset, the Saints scored 10 times in a shut out of Loyalist, then took an early two-goal lead over Durham and coasted to a quarter-final victory. As a result, St. Clair played host to the OCAA championship on home turf, its first trip to the final four since 2023.
The Saints were behind division rival Humber 1-0 at half time of the semifinal, but got the equalizer in the 59th minute, then a game-winning goal in the second overtime period to clinch their first OCAA medal since 2015. Playing Centennial in the OCAA gold medal match, St. Clair pounced on an early lead and never let up, winning 4-1 to end its 36-year OCAA championship drought.
Making their debut on the national stage, the Saints posted a 2-2 record at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Soccer National Championship in Red Deer, Alta., fighting their way to the bronze medal match.
Vagnini also led the women’s indoor soccer team to a regional championship in 2026, advancing to the final four where the Saints lost both the semifinal and bronze medal match in penalty kicks.
PREVIOUS OCAA COACHES OF THE YEAR
2024-25 — Betty Calic, Mohawk Curling
2023-24 — Luca Sirianni, Seneca Women’s Soccer
2022-23 — Doug Wiseman St. Clair Women’s Softball