Sept. 23 Niagara College report: Good weekend for soccer teams
Amanda Borowski, left, of the Niagara College women’s soccer team battles with an opponent. The women’s team collected a pair of wins over the weekend. Photo by: RYAN McCULLOUGH.
The Niagara College Knights men’s and women’s soccer teams had a successful first road trip this weekend, visiting Lambton College and St. Claire College.
Saturday afternoon, the Knights women shut out the Lambton 4-0. Taylor Major earned her first shutout of the season, facing just four Lions shots. Veteran Michelle Maecker got things rolling for the Knights in the first half off a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box.
The Knights continued to control the play through the next 45 minutes, with Terin Hultink also scoring off a free kick and Maria Gamba netting another on a third-chance opportunity in the box. The Knights added one more in the 88th minute by Julieanne Buist.
Following Friday’s loss to Mohawk at home, head coach Rob Lalama was pleased with way his team bounced back during a week of training leading up to the their first road games of the season.
“I thought we put in a good team effort today,” Lalama said. “We controlled the game. Once we got our rhythm and adjusted to the grass, we created a lot of scoring chances. The ladies put in a lot of effort in training this week.
“It was nice to see them earn the three points.”
At St. Claire College, Niagara again dominated the first half, with Buist notching her second of the road trip early in the game. Second-year Katelyn Mix also netted one for the Knights. The Saints scored just before the halftime whistle, cutting the Knights lead in half at 2-1.
Pressley secured a third goal for the Knights, which would prove to be the game winner, after a break-away pass from Hultink.
Lalama is happy to be heading home with six points in his pocket.
“The first half, we broke the cardinal rule and allowed a goal just before the half-time whistle. In the second half, the character and skill of our team shone bright to cap off the win — a well deserved win.”
The Knights improved to 3-1 heading into the midway point of the season and are seventh in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association rankings for this week.
Men’s soccer
The men’s soccer team headed into Saturday afternoon’s game looking for their first win this season after dropping the first two games of the year at home.
The Knights responded with a 5-1 win over the Lambton Lions.
The Knights received the gift of a goal by a Lions defencemen to get on the board first, with Simon Silverio getting credit for his first of the season. The Lions evened it up just before the half.
David Bandura headed a beautiful cross in the box from Dean Miller to again give Niagara the lead at 2-1.
Knights forward James D’Annunzio added, converting a cross from Joseph Nognonhou’s through ball, and again with a long ball from D’Annunzio to go up 4-1.
D’Annunzio set up first-year player Chavon Wellington to secure the Knights win.
Getting in the win column was a huge momentum changer for the men.
“It was nice to get our first win,” head coach Frank DeChellis said. “Our young squad is working hard and moving in the right direction. Freshmen like Rhys Jones, Simon Silverio and Dawson Jordan are taking advantage of the minutes they are getting.”
At St. Claire College, the Knights and Saints played through a scoreless first half. The second half seemed to be heading the same direction before St. Claire broke through at the 68th minute. The Saints added another with 15 minutes remaining, handing the Knights their third loss of the season.
“Today was a tough loss to take. We had quality goalkeeping from Romario James, we were in their goal area numerous times with no positive outcome and played our system as well as we have at anytime this season. We have every reason to feel we deserved that game, but soccer isn’t kind to teams that don’t score.
“I am happy with how we played.”
Veteran defender Andrew Currie echoed his coach’s reaction.
“Today was a tough loss against a quality team” Currie said. “I feel we’re unlucky to not get a point with as many chances as we created. We’re excited to get back to training to build on our performance looking towards Fanshawe next Friday.”
Fanshawe College rolls into town Friday night for a doubleheader beginning at 6 p.m.
Fanshawe’s women’s team currently sits a 3-0-1, while the men sit at 3-1.
For a full list of results and stats, please visit www.ocaa.com
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
