Oct. 7: Niagara College report
The Niagara College men’s soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision at Sheridan. Photo by Ryan McCullough.
The Niagara College men’s soccer team was edged 2-1 by the Sheridan Bruins Saturday afternoon in Oakville.
James D’Annunzio got the Knights on the board first to make it 1-0 at the 25 minute-mark of the game, a lead Niagara would carry into the second half.
Sheridan kept Knights keeper Romario James busy, firing 12 shots in his direction in the second half. The Bruins finally solved James in the 72-minute mark, on a penalty shot goal by Dante Ruddock, to tie the game 1-1. Sheridan’s Jevonte Layne would then find the back of the net in the 86th minute with the game-winner.
Plagued with injuries heading into Saturday’s match-up, head coach Frank DeChellis was able to give his first-year players a chance to showcase their skills and show their team they have what it takes to play against a perennial national contender.
“We weren’t sure what to expect missing our two tallest players against a very tall and talented Sheridan squad,” DeChellis said. “The storm that we weathered in the second half was epic as they were all over us and we had no answer for their height on crosses. Romario was busy and gave us his best game so far this season and the guys fed off that. We had them 1-0 up to the 75th and frustrating the heck out of them, but conceded an unfortunate penalty kick that let them back in the game.”
“Even though we haven’t officially made the playoffs, we are in playoff mode as we must win the last two matches to see post-season action.”
With the loss, the Knights now sit at 1-6 with just two games remaining before the playoffs.
The Knights travel to Conestoga College (3-4) this Thursday in their last road game of the season.
Terin Hultink. Photo by Ryan McCullough.
Women’s team tie Bruins
The Knights women’s soccer team traveled to Sheridan College Saturday afternoon and played to a 2-2 tie with the Bruins.
The Knights got off to a rocky start surrendering a goal in the first minute of play by Cathy Cavero. Niagara would respond seven minutes later on a penalty-kick from midfielder Terin Hultink with her fourth of the season. The Bruins would strike again before the end of the half on a goal from Celina Banard to end the first 45 minutes leading 2-1.
It began to look as though Sheridan would hang on for the 2-1 win until St. Catharines native Katelyn Pressley came up huge for the Knights, netting a goal in the 90th minute of regulation play.
Neither team would capitalize in the five minutes of overtime.
The race to the finish in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) West division has been a tight one all season. With the regular season coming to a close in just a few weeks, head coach Rob Lalama knows every point is crucial.
“I thought we played a strong game today owning most of the possession,” Lalama said. “We allowed two preventable goals caused by mental errors, but I am so proud of this group for not giving up or giving up to earn a well deserved win against a very good team.”
Hultink agreed.
“We made it a little hard on ourselves, but we fought right to the end and landed a very valuable point this late in the season.”
The Knights now sit at 4-2 on the season, with a Thursday night match-up at Conestoga College (3-4).
Coverage of the Niagara Knights is made possible with the support of the Niagara College Department of Athletics & Recreation. For more information, please visit www.goknights.ca
