FC London women did the double this season, winning their second consecutive League1 Ontario championship to go with their League1 Cup title.

FC London’ 2-0 win over the North Mississauga Panthers on Saturday clinched first place.

It’s the third women’s championship for FC London this year, with its U21 provincial and U21 regional teams also having won their leagues.

“This certainly augurs well for the future of women’s soccer in London,” FC London CEO Ian Campbell said.

With Jade Kovacevic, who scored both goals Saturday to give her a league leading 36, and Ashley Campbell both having been members of the national team program and Kaila Novak at the U17 national team camp in British Columbia, FC London is building a strong base for other young players to use as a launching point.

“I do think this team was better than last year,” FC London coach Mike Marcoccia said. “We had essentially players that we had last year back on the team, but we had some really good new additions, so we were a better team.

“We look to bring in some younger players. The second half of this year we looked to introduce some of our younger players. We had some senior players like Denise (Fortin) who is going to retire and move on, so we have some holes to fill, in order to continue to improve the squad and develop the organization and find them a set role and allow them to improve in that role.”

All teams in League1 tend to lose players in late summer when it’s time for them to head to university or college.

That’s when the strength of the organization is measured.

“We had 10 players on our roster in our game Saturday that were from our U21 team,” Marcoccia said. “Some teams complained that they lost a bunch of players, but we were in the same situation. Our young players allow us to sustain continued excellence.”

Kovacevic continues to be a major piece of the puzzle. The 23-year-old continues to score at an astounding rate. Her 36 goals are far and away the most in League1. North Mississauga’s Cassandra Briscoe and Laura Twidle are tied for second in the scoring race with 13 apiece.

Kovacevic was in the national team program three years ago, but despite her continued success hasn’t received a shout from the national team. It’s a mystery to everyone, including Marcoccia.

“I thought she would have gotten a look long ago,” he said. “I’m pretty up to date with the entire situation with Jade’s national career, where, when it left off and where it should be going. I’ve spoken to a few people involved in the program who have come to London and at the all-star game and I was under the impression that she was going to get a call this year. She didn’t. I was as disappointed as everyone else in the community.”

Marcoccia is a close follower of women’s soccer at the national level.

“I follow women’s soccer and either I just don’t know anything about the game or this girl is getting shut out and our country needs her. I watch the national team play and how she would complement a player like Jessie (Fleming) would just be incredible. I just don’t get it.

“She’s only 23. She’s a baby; she’s very mature. She’s in a coaching role (with FC London and Fanshawe College). She understands so much about how teams function. She’s strong; she’s fit. I’ve had every single coach in the league and the league commissioner wondering why she isn’t getting a shot at the national team.”

It’s unfortunate for Kovacevic because she’s simply too good a scorer for League1.

For now though, the immediate goal for Marcoccia is to bring in more young players for his team and win a third title.

“The league has really improved,” he said. “This year there were 30 players representing Canada at some level who were playing in League1.”