Niagara College report: ReuKnighted; soccer; basketball
Former Niagara College athletes and members of the college’s alumni community are invited to attend ReuKnighted 2023 Nov. 3-4 at the Welland Campus.
“Many of our Knights’ alumni havent been on campus in a while. We can’t wait to show them the gym and our Knights jumbotron,” Niagara athletic director Michele O’Keefe said. “This year, we’re bringing the culinary program into ReuKnighted along with Sport Management and the Broadcast program.”
The event launches with an exclusive tailgate party on Nov. 3 in which those gathered will reminisce, reconnect, sample delicious food, snap photos and win fantastic prizes.
Following the tailgate party, a lineup of athletic events will be held in the gym as well as campus tours and post-game festivities.
Tickets are $10 and youth (12 and under) are free. The first 100 alumni to register will receive a special gift and those who purchase tickets before Friday, Oct. 20 will be entered into a draw for a Knights-themed gift basket valued at $250. Tickets are available via Eventbrite here.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
The Niagara College women’s soccer team went 0-1-1 in OCAA action last week to finish the regular season to finish seventh in the OCAA West Division with a record of 2-5-3.
Niagara opened the week with a 3-1 loss to Humber. Scoring for the Knights was Aneisha Gobbels.
“We knew we were in for a tough match against the first-place Humber Hawks. They have most of their players on the roster from last year’s provincial championship team,” Niagara head coach Rob Lalama said. “We played well in spurts but were unable to sustain our quality for a full 90 minutes.”
The Knights concluded their week with Hannah Kelly scoring in a 1-1 tie versus Mohawk.
“It was a tough match against the third place Mohawk Mountaineers. They dominated us in our first match handing us a 2-0 loss,” he said. “Friday night, the complexion of the game was much different. We put in a much better performance and were a cross bar away from a 2-1 win.
“I’m very proud of the progress this rookie team has made. We wait now to see who we play in the qualifying match on Wednesday.”
The game will be against either Humber or St. Clair.
MEN’S SOCCER
Niagara’s men’s soccer team ended up in eighth place in the OCAA West Division with a record go 1-8-1 following a loss and a tie last week.
Niagara opened the week with a 4-0 loss against Humber.
“Tonight was our best defensive game of the year against the two-time defending national champs. We had a six-minute letdown at the end of the first half and next thing we knew it was 3-0,” Niagara head coach Frank DeChellis said. “We conceded the fourth in stoppage time at the end of the match which spoiled a very good second half defensive effort. Three of their four goals came directly off our mistakes with the ball. The work rate and discipline hopefully set a new expectation for the guys for our last game Friday and qualifier next Wednesday. Goalkeeper Sean Darracott stood on his head for us and provided sound on-field tactical guidance.”
Niagara concluded its week by tying Mohawk 2-2 on goals by Christian Buccella and Nate Smyth.
“We found ourselves in a new position, holding and protecting a lead late in the game against a desperate team. We brought a good effort but conceded very late in stoppage time. We had several chances to out that game away and failing to do so kept Mohawk hopeful and ambitious,” DeChellis said. “We are doing the things we do well better, and improving in other areas. Everything keeps getting better with this group, but we ran out of season. Our next stage for testing ourselves will be the round of 16 game Wednesday in Kitchener.
“I have to mention Victor Kariuki and Robbie McMillan who held Mohawk’ wingers at bay and did well to start our attacks. Adian Astudillo, Noah Vogel, Kyle Hannon and Altin Ibrahimi have been very fluid in the midfield the last few games and that is a result of a lot of work and brave moments on their part.”
MEN’S BASKETBALL
The Knights men’s basketball team rallied to edge Centennial College 73-71 in exhibition game.
Scoring for Niagara were Khayden Stewart with 12 followed by Kenneth Reckley, Jr. (11), Reggie Williams (11), Ethan Alino Dela Cruz (10) and Raheem Dennis (10).
“We had to overcome a 18-point deficit starting the fourth quarter. Our guys continued to play tough defence in the fourth and showed composure down the stretch to pull out this win,” Phil Mosley said. “Positives were our balanced scoring with five players in double figures.”
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Selected as Niagara’s athletes of the week were women’s soccer player Kayla Kistindey and men’s soccer player Victor Kariuki.
