A hard-fought and often testy match resulted in defeat for the Niagara College men's soccer (3-3-1, 3rd Central) program Friday night. The Sheridan Bruins (5-2-0, 2nd Central) defeated the Knights 5-2 and took a five point lead for second place in the standings.
The Bruins pressured the Knights from the opening whistle, shocking the home team with two quick goals in the game's first five minutes. However, the Knights rallied behind first-year midfielder Kimbel Donayre (St. Catharines). Just before half, the hospitality management major took a perfect feed from Ife Lotanna Maduka (Nigeria) and buried his first career OCAA game to cut the Bruins lead in half.
Two minutes into the second half Donayre scored his second goal, tying the game after jumping on a bobbled ball from Bruins goalkeeper Daniel Voci. Unfortunately for the Knights, Bruins forward Jonathan Jabbison brought his A-game and scored three straight unanswered goals and finished the day with four total.
"The game was fast-paced at the beginning, and the physicality escalated quickly," said head coach Frank DeChellis. "Early in the second half I thought the game had shifted into our favour. We were creating some chances and we had a mix of possession and direct balls, but that didn't last long enough. We will learn from this game and use it as we prepare for our upcoming game against Seneca."
At the conclusion of the match, eight cards were handed out, two which were red.
The Bruins outshot the Knights 11-5 and tied the season series 1-1.
