Women's Soccer | 10/29/2025 3:40:00 PM
A pair of York University Lions defenders have been named OUA second team all-stars, as announced by the conference on Wednesday afternoon.
Vanessa Reda, a fifth-year senior from Vaughan, Ont., and Giuliana Paolella, a fourth-year senior from Maple, Ont., were selected to the team after serving as anchors on the Lions back line along with fellow veterans Brook-Lynne Mitchell and Bianca Jack.
Reda, who spent three years with the Humber Hawks of the CCAA before transferring to York for graduate school ahead of the 2024 campaign, played in and started all 12 regular season games, entrenching herself in the starting lineup. Prior to her time in red and white, she won three straight OCAA gold medals, and was a two-time OCAA all-star, making the second team in 2022 before being named a first team all-star in her final season at Humber in 2023. Additionally, she was a two-time CCAA academic all-Canadian and OCAA all-academic team selection while studying collegiately.
Paoella, who was limited to just 13 games combined over the last two seasons, re-established instrumental piece for the Lions once again in 2025. She played in 11 of the Lions 12 regular season games, while posting her best offensive season to date. After scoring her first OUA goal last season, she set a career high with three goals this year, including the go-ahead goal in an eventual 2-2 draw against McMaster on Sept. 7. Paolella earns her second all-star nod, after also being named a second-teamer in her rookie season in 2022.
