Oct. 31 Niagara College report: OCAA bronze for women’s soccer
The Niagara College Knights women’s soccer team returned from the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association championships with a bronze medal.
It was the first OCAA medal in the program’s history. Prior to 2022, Niagara had yet to advance past the quarter-final round at the championship tournament. Since taking over the program in 2017, head coach Rob Lalama has made six straight post-season appearances.
Niagara won the bronze with a 3-2 victory over host Durham College. The Knights jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Megan Morgado and Sydney Sica before Durham tied it in the second half on goals by Ericka Bjorgum and Sage Thomas-Roberts. Rylan Greatrix scored the winner for Niagara in the 82nd minute. Sica was named the Player of the Match for the Knights and McKenna Jackson was selected to the Championship All-Star team.
Niagara opened the OCAA championships with a 5-0 blanking of Algonquin led by a hat trick from Tori Hultink and two goals from Sica. Greatrix had four assists; Natasha Desjardins had a pair of helpers and Sierra Naccarato recorded the shutout.
The Knights lost 3-2 in overtime to eventual champion Humber in the semifinals.
“The overtime loss to Humber was heartbreaking,” Lalama said. “We gave our heart and soul and felt unlucky in key calls during the game. Motivating the team for the bronze medal match after such a tough loss was a concern until I began hearing conversations amongst our players, determined not to go home without a medal. At that point, what more can you ask for as a coach?”
Desjardins and Sica scored for Niagara in the semifinal loss.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
The Niagara College women’s basketball team opened its season with a 97-48 drubbing of Sheridan.
The Knights built quarter leads of 22-13, 54-23 and 77-39 to record the victory.
Top performers for Niagara were: Taryn Mitchell (E.L. Crossley), 26 points and five steals; Eden Ferraro, 14 points and nine rebounds; Jamira Rousseau (Notre Dame), 13 points, 10 assists and five rebounds; Kate Roth, 13 points and five rebounds; Olivia Turko, 12 points and five assists; and, Olivia Krieger (Sir Winston Churchill), 11 points.
“I thought we played really well tonight,” head coach Chris Rao said. “I was really happy with where we are at defensively right now. We have to make some progress but we executed our scout well and that’s a good place to be after Game 1. Offensively we are getting better and better at running our stuff and sharing the ball and our assist numbers reflect that.”
Niagara is at St. Clair Saturday and Lambton Sunday.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
The Niagara College men’s basketball team dropped a 92-88 decision to Sheridan (2-0) to fall to 1-1 on the season in OCAA action.
Niagara led 23-18 after one quarter, trailed 51-45 at the half and went into the final quarter tied at 67-67.
Top performers for Niagara were: Delroy Grandison with 29 points, 14 points, five steals and five blocked shots; Rahim Bardi (Governor Simcoe) with 18 points; and, Kennan Larmand (Centennial/Ridley College) with 15 points and seven boards.
“This was a tough loss against a good Sheridan team tonight,” head coach Phil Mosley said. “We need to find more consistency and discipline to close out games. The loss overshadowed a strong performance by Delroy Grandison and Rahim Bardi.”
The Knights are at St. Clair Saturday and Lambton Sunday.
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Ranked fourth in Canada, Niagara’s men’s volleyball team pushed its regular season record to 2-0 with 3-0 plucking of the Conestoga Condors.
Scores were 25-21, 25-21 and 25-20.
“Always nice picking up a road win. Those can be hard to come by,” Niagara head coach Steve Stone said. “The boys came out and served tough and it put us in a position to win and I am happy with that result.”
Leading the way for Niagara were: Elijah Bugiardini with 11 points on 10 kills, six digs and one ace; and, Tyler Carmichael with seven points on five kills and two digs.
Niagara plays its home opener Friday at 8 p.m. against the unbeaten Fanshawe Falcons (3-0).
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
The Niagara College women’s volleyball team fell to 0-2 on the season following a 3-0 loss (12-25,22-25,14-25) to the Conestoga Condors.
Niagara struggled to gain any consistency through all three sets.
Top point scorers for Niagara were Montanna Taylor (8), Hannah Cowie (7), Mei McCheane (4) and Hope Nicholson (4).
Niagara hosts Fanshawe (0-3) Friday at 6 p.m.
