Teams Set for 2014 Belairdirect OCAA Men’s Soccer Championship
The four qualifiers for the 2014 Belairdirect OCAA men’s soccer championship being hosted by Niagara College have been finalized.
This year’s participants include the Humber Hawks (7-0-2), Algonquin Thunder (8-0-0) and Sheridan Bruins (7-1-1), 2013’s gold, silver, and bronze medalists respectively. Joining these perennial OCAA powerhouses are the Durham Lords (6-2) who have enjoyed a breakout 2014.
The event will mark the first time since the 2009-2010 that the top two regular season teams from both the East and West Divisions will compete at the OCAA men’s soccer championship.
Sheridan Bruins (7-1-1, 2nd West) vs.
Algonquin Thunder (8-0, 1st East)
Friday, Oct. 24 – 11:00 a.m.
The first semi-final game is a clash between two of the titans of the OCAA men’s soccer landscape.
The Algonquin Thunder captured an OCAA silver medal in 2013. The team sports a perfect 8-0 record, are the OCAA’s top-ranked team, and are the number one ranked team in the CCAA. The team has given up an OCAA low two goals in eight games, and easy handled the Niagara Knights in their quarterfinal matchup by a score of 7-0.
Sheridan is certainly no stranger to the OCAA post-season having medaled in four straight OCAA Championships. The Bruins are currently the CCAA’s ninth ranked team, and have scored an OCAA high 39 goals this season. The team is paced by David Velastegui (Quito, Ecuador) who led the OCAA with nine goals and Raheem Edwards (Toronto, ON) who finished second in the scoring race with eight.
Durham Lords (6-2, 2nd East) vs. Humber Hawks
(7-0-1, 1st West)
Friday, Oct. 24 – 2:00 p.m.
The second semi-final game will see the Durham Lords make their first appearance at the OCAA Championship since 1999. The Lords have had a breakout 2014 season winning six games including a hard fought 1-0 victory over the St. Clair Saints in the OCAA quarterfinals. Leading scorer Sasa Vukoje (Etobicoke, ON) scored the game winning goal in the quarterfinals, bringing his season total to five.
The Lords’ opponents are the four-time defending OCAA and two-time defending CCAA Champion Humber Hawks. The CCAA’s fifth ranked Hawks are undefeated in 2014 and scored 29 regular season goals while giving up just four against. The Hawks easily defeated Cambrian 3-0 in their quarterfinal match and will be looking to remain atop the OCAA medal podium for the fifth consecutive year.
The 2014 Belairdirect OCAA Men’s Soccer Championship is being hosted by Niagara College from October 24-25th. All games will be played at Youngs SportsPlex located at 570 River Road in Welland, Ontario.
All information regarding the 2014 Belairdirect OCAA Men’s Soccer Championship can be found on the championship website at www.goknights.ca.
