Oct. 15 Niagara College Report

A hat trick by Oti Frigole in a 4-3 victory over the Conestoga Condors has made the Governor Simcoe alumnus the all-time leading scorer for the Niagara College men’s soccer program,

Frigole now has 17 goals in just his second season with the Knights. The previous record of 15 was held by Carlos Williams.

Frigole has six goals in six games this season.

“What can I say? Tonight was a great night,” Frigole said after the win over Conestoga. “We knew it was a big night with a lot of pressure. I’m truly thankful for the collective effort of this group from last year and this year that has allowed me to break the record of all-time goal scorer.”

Frigole was thrilled to have broken the record.

“I came to Niagara to play the game I love and to hopefully leave my mark here at this school for the years to come,” he said. “Thank you to everyone whose helped me along the way these past two years”

Niagara head coach Frank DeChellis was happy for Frigole.

“It’s nice when you have individual moments in team sports,” he said. “Soccer is not as statistic rich as some other sports, but goals are huge. Oti is a goal scorer and those are hard to find.”

DeChellis feels Frigole has left his mark on the Niagara program.

“I hope this occasion deepens his relationship with Niagara College, soccer and teamwork in general,” he said. “When you are the point of the attack, there are 10 hard-working players behind you and Oti acknowledged that when his team celebrated with him.”

Also scoring for Niagara versus Conestoga was Welland native David Bandura.

“David has worked so hard this year,” DeChellis said. “He organized his school and work schedule to make soccer possible. We couldn’t be happier for him.”

The win was Niagara’s second of the season and it will conclude its regular season with a home game Wednesday at 8 p.m. versus Redeemer College (1-7).

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Captain Michelle Maeker notched her second goal of the season to help Niagara’s women’s soccer team record a 1-1 tie against Conestoga.

“We controlled play throughout the game,” Niagara head coach Rob Lalama said. “In the second half, we had numerous chances, but couldn’t finish, but that’s sports.”

Veteran defender Amanda Borowski agreed.

“We’re disappointed in our efforts tonight because we weren’t at our best,” she said. “We’re looking forward to finishing this successful season at home against Redeemer next week on a high note.”

Niagara (4-2-2) hosts Redeemer (1-7) Wednesday at 6 p.m.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Julieanne Buist and Dawson Jordan have been named Niagara College’s athletes of the week for the week of Oct. 7-11.

Buist, a soccer midfielder from Canfield, has seven goals in six games for Niagara. Niagara’s leading scorer recently scored four in a blowout win over University of Toronto Mississauga. The four goals set a school record.

Jordan was an important recruit for the men’s soccer program this season.

His progress this season has been positive and his attitude as a first-year player is infectious.

HOOPS CLASSIC

Niagara College will be staging the first Niagara College Girls Hoops Classic this week.

The tournament starts Wednesday at  E.L. Crossley, Welland Centennial, Notre Dame and Jean Vanier and concludes Saturday with the consolation final (6 p.m.) and championship final (8 p.m.) at Niagara College.

Competing in the tournament are Centennial, E.L. Crossley, Port Colborne, Notre Dame, Jean Vanier, Denis Morris, Eden, Governor Simcoe, Ridley College, A.N. Myer, Saint Michael, Saint Paul, Greater Fort Erie and Heritage Christian.