Niagara College report Sept. 17: Soccer, new mascot and curling coaches
The Niagara College Knights women’s soccer team opened the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association season in impressive fashion by recording a pair of victories.
The Knights doubled Humber 2-1 Friday night on goals by Ashley Phillips and Cienna Toromoreno and then defeated the Fanshawe Falcons 4-0 Saturday thanks to a pair of goals by Aneisha Gobbels and single scores by Toromoreno and Sara Walsh.
Toromoreno, a first-year player from Vaughan, was named Niagara’s female athlete of the week after netting a pair of game-winning goals.
“Her determination, skill and effort in the midfield helped propel the Knights to a 2-0 record to start the year,” a Niagara press release stated.
Niagara head coach Rob Lalama enjoyed the weekend.
“I was pleased on how we competed Friday night against Humber. We showed a lot of character, battling back to earn our first victory of the season,” he said. “Before Sunday’s game versus Fanshawe, I explained to the team that we now need to turn it up a notch. That our first win is now history and the most important game of the season is today (Saturday). We turned in a solid 90 minutes with everyone contributing minutes.”
Niagara hosts Lambton at Youngs Sportsplex Saturday at 1 p.m. followed by a Sunday home game at 1 p.m. versus the St. Clair Saints.
MEN’S SOCCER TEAM
The Niagara College men’s soccer team opened its OCAA season with a pair of losses.
Niagara fell 2-1 to Humber Friday and was blanked 5-0 by the Fanshawe Falcons on Saturday. Noah Vogel was the lone scorer for the Knights.
For his efforts, team captain Vogel, was named Niagara College’s male athlete of that week.
“He showed great leadership and tactical focus on the pitch for both matches,” a Niagara College press release said. “He displayed stability on the field, in both possession throughout the midfield and his scoring touch.”
Niagara head coach Frank DeChellis said his squad was 100 per cent ready for Friday’s game against Humber.
“We knew it would be the biggest test of the season on Day 1 and we came out playing ambitious, courageous soccer. They have won seven of the last 11 national championships and I was happy to draw them for our season opener. We were dangerous and Humber knows they were lucky to get on their bus and leave with three points. Fans in attendance were treated to a great match and I was proud to receive so many compliments on behalf of the players.”
Repeating that effort against Fanshawe proved to be a challenge for Niagara.
“Some of the guys who played 90 minutes on Friday were stiff. I think we were a little too confident, maybe even cocky, and we didn’t handle Fanshawe’s grass field very well,” DeChellis said. “We were slow to move the ball and it cost us all over the pitch. Fanshawe is always a strong team and this year proved no different. The 5-0 score is difficult for us to accept but the guys need to learn that you have to fight against a 5-0 loss when the game is 0-0.”
Niagara is happy to get its two toughest games of the season out of the way.
“We have to figure out a way to see that as a blessing and look forward. We know we have a good team this year and had a very strong pre-season so I am still expecting a positive season,” he said. “We have several coaches in different capacities to make the program more holistic and I look forward to what results that brings.”
Niagara hosts Lambton Saturday and St. Clair Sunday. Both games are 3 p.m. at Young’s Sportsplex.
NEW MASCOT
Niagara College athletics has a new mascot, Noble of Niagara.
“Legend has it that Noble, a friendly blue and grey dragon, has been in training its whole life under the guidance of Knightro, our long-time mascot who retired this summer,” a Niagara College press release said. “Noble was raised by Knightro right from an egg and grew up in their dragon’s lair in a secret location on campus. Under Knightro’s care, NC’s future mascot learned about what it means to be a Niagara College Knight – to strive for excellence while being respectful, welcoming and compassionate. After passing their training with flying colours, Knightro deemed Noble ready for duty, and is officially starting their mascot role today.”
Noble of Niagara made his debut at last Friday’s soccer home openers against Humber.
NEW CURLING COACHES
Jordan Thin, Richard Reist and Chris Poulouski have taken over Niagara’s varsity curling program.
Thin will be the technical director and Reist and Poulouski will be co-head coaches.
“We’re very excited for our trio of technical leads for our curling program at Niagara College,” said Michele O’Keefe, Niagara’s director of athletics and student engagement. “We’ve assembled three people who are very invested in curling, and we know we are building for success. Their technical knowledge as well as being entrenched in the Niagara region’s curling programs, will no doubt support our recruiting strategy.”
Reist and Poulouski are excited to grow the game of curling at Niagara College and are “looking forward to working with all the players, coaches, and staff to build a competitive program that we can all be proud of.”
Thin, who was head coach from 2015 to 2019, is “very excited to be back with the Knights family and to start building on the future.”
The trio will “be focused on building the curling program and decorating the walls with banners,” Thin said.
Niagara has been successful at the provincial and national level, winning a combined five gold medals, 13 silver medals, and four bronze medals since the program’s start.
