For the first time in program history, the Niagara College men's soccer program has qualified for the OCAA Championship. The Knights gain entry into the eight team event via an October 25th playoff road victory over the Centennial Colts. The Knights edged out a hard fought 1-0 victory riding a goal in the 60th minute by forward Alex Latham (Brampton).
This marks the third consecutive playoff appearance for Niagara but during the last two seasons the team missed the opportunity to compete in the Championship by falling in a qualifying match.
"The past four years have been about building and working towards progress. This victory just builds on the expectations we expect to have around our program on a yearly basis" said Knights' men's soccer head coach Frank DeChellis. "We consider positive results from our men and women to contribute to the overall soccer culture we are building at Niagara College. The passing of Luciano has made everything difficult to enjoy because his finger prints are all over this success."
High winds and a small field made the game a "fast and furious engagement" said DeChellis. The fourth year coach felt that veteran keeper Jordan Provenzano "had a great game, as he was forced to be involved in our team's possession more often than usual. Which is just the way Jordan likes it." The clean sheet for Provenzano marks the second consecutive post-season that the third year electrical techniques student has recorded a shutout.
Playing against the wind opening half the Knights were forced to work hard in keeping Centennial off the board. Defenders Mike Serianni (Welland), Quinton Leone (Niagara Falls), Aaron Grant (St. Catharines), Andrew Currie (Woodstock), and Connor Diacur (St. Catharines) held down the fort in the first 45 minutes.
With the wind at their backs in the second half, the Knights offense seemed to come to life. Led by the Kimbel Donayre (St. Catharines) and Mike Dagg (Niagara Falls), the Knights controlled the possession game and begin directing numerous strong attacks towards the Colts net. For his effort in the match Dagg was named Niagara College male athlete of the week.
The Knights' efforts on the offensive attack finally paid off in the 60th minute when Matteo Souza's (Welland) penetrating pass found Alex Latham who buried the ball into the back of the Colts' goal. The game winning tally gives Latham a total three goals on the season, and moves the health sciences student into a three-way tie for the team lead.
"Today's game was our toughest battle by far" commented Kimbel Donayre after the match. "After not getting the results we wanted in our past four games and our coach passing away, we had to mentally prepare to prove to ourselves and others that we can be a top team in Ontario."
The Knights will now head to the OCAA Championship tournament being hosted by the Humber Hawks from October 29-31st. The eight team event will see the Knights face the OCAA West Division winning Fanshawe Falcons (7-1-2) on Thursday, October 29th at 9:30am with the winner advancing to the Gold medal semi-finals on the October 30th.
