In a battle between two teams fighting for a playoff spot, it was the Seneca Sting (2-5-2, 4th Central) who came out on top by defeating the Niagara College men's soccer (3-4-1, 3rd Central) program, 2-1. The Knights were unable to stave off the team immediately behind them in the standings and allowed their Central region rival to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Tied 0-0 at half, the Knights opened the scoring when team captain Andy Hein (Omemee) buried the ball after a flurry of activity that stemmed from a Knights corner kick. Hein's goal gives him the team lead with three, tying his career-high from last season.
"Andy's goal is what a coach likes to see," said fourth-year head coach Frank DeChellis. "We had the ball in their penalty area and wouldn't let it out until we finished the job."
Shortly after Seneca drew even, the game completely changed.
For the second straight against the Sting, a technicality called by an official changed the flow of the game. A penalty kick that was successfully converted by second-year defender Andrew Currie (Woodstock) was called back because a Knight was stepping on the penalty area line. Instructed to kick again, Currie hits the post and Seneca clears the ball away to safety.
"In all my years of coaching, I've only seen that call once in my life," added coach DeChellis. "Well, twice now to be exact but what can you do? It's the new era of officials pushing game management."
With momentum changing and backing the Sting, a Seneca free kick was tipped past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Jordan Provenzano (Niagara Falls), giving the Sting the lead for good.
The Knights received a strong performance from first-year Nigerian striker Ife Maduka, who created several scoring chances for his teammates.
"Ife is a hard working kid who narrowly missed being the games hero on several occasions," said coach DeChellis.
The defensive corps of Quinton Leone (Niagara Falls), Mike Serianni (Welland), Aaron Grant (St. Catharines), Andrew Currie, and Hayden Price (St. Catharines) had an exceptional game despite the score.
"It's too bad the score had to taint how those boys played, including Jordan. They held the line well, anticipated better than they had all season, and worked hard to find their midfielders in position."
The Knights loss to Seneca will now put further emphasis on the last two games of the OCAA regular season. Only four points separate the bottom four teams in the crowded Central region standings, keeping the pressure on Niagara to keep their third place spot.
Up next for Niagara is the last road game of the regular season when they take on George Brown College (1-4-3, 6th Central) October 17th.
