It was a great night for soccer in the Niagara Region as the Niagara Knights men's and women's soccer programs hosted the 3^rd Annual Niagara Region Soccer Showcase. Hosted at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, some of the premier high school soccer players throughout the Niagara Region, put on a tremendous display of skill. All soccer playing high schools in SOSSA Zones 3 and 4 were invited to send players to participate in the event.

The night featured both a girls and boys showcase game, comprised of athletes representing over 20 high schools. The athletes were split up into a pair of teams, per gender, and were coached by current Knights players and coaches. It was the girls who led things off at the showcase. The brainchild of Knights head coach Frank DeChellis and assistant coach Rino Berardi the showcase has become an important event on the Niagara soccer calendar. "Niagara College soccer has benefitted from the developmental work of the local soccer community, and it's nice to give the high school players a place to shine for a night," DeChellis said of the annual event.

Team Blue opened the scoring early, as Kayla Bevacqua (Notre Dame) got things started in the 27^th minute. It was a back and forth first half that ended with Team Blue up by a single marker. Bevacqua would once again be the spark for Team Blue, potting her second goal of the game in the 54^th minute to give her side a 2-0 lead and open a flurry of scoring. The lead was extended to three just minutes later as Kira McPherson (South Lincoln) found the back of the net in the 57^th minute. Team White would not be held off the board on the night, as Sophia Al-Sayed (St. Francis) rounded up the games scoring in the 60^th minute with a strike of her own for Team White. Team Blue were able to hold off a strong attack late to preserve a 3-1 victory.

Coach DeChellis was extremely impressed by the level of talent on display from the girls. "The girls game was incredibly entertaining," said DeChellis, "For a group that have never played together, both teams were well organized, kept the ball on the ground, and showed a lot of talent." For their efforts on the evening the MVP awards were handed out to Team Blue's Kayla Bevacqua and Team White's feisty midfielder Kara Latham (Centennial).

While the girls featured a defensive heavy matchup, the boys would demonstrate the exact opposite. It was an offensive heavy 12-10 victory for Team Blue. The scoring opened fast and furious, with the teams trading a pair of goals in the game's opening seven minutes. James D'Annunzio (St. Paul) and Jonathan Buist (Smithville Christian) gave Team White an early 2-0. However Team Blue would answer quickly with a pair of their own from Oti Frigole (Governor Simcoe) and Alex Vanderbrink (St. Francis). The game was off and running, and it was only a taste of the scoring that would come throughout the remainder of the game.

The first half wrapped up with a 7-6 for the boys in white. A pair of goals David Attah (Niagara Collegiate) and singles by Mo Nassar (St. Michaels), Jacob Therrien (Notre Dame), and James D'Annunzio closed out the first half for Team White. Oti Frigole added three more, while Alex Makubuya (St. Francis) potted a single for Team Blue.

Oti Frigole demonstrated his offensive dominance throughout the second half, as he netted another three goals to finish the evening with 7 goals en route to the victory. Jordan Van HerWynen (Smithville Christian) and Andrew Baldin (St. Paul) were the other goal scorers for Team Blue in the second half, while Owen Charnock (Denis Morris), Addison DeTullio (Grimsby), and James D'Annunzio tallied for Team White. For their efforts Oti Frigole & Jacob Therrien (Notre Dame) were named the game’s MVPs.

Girls Participants

Team White

Holly Zwierschke – EL Crossley
Taylor Campbell – AN Myer
Kara Latham – Centennial
Katie Lafleur - Laura Secord
Michelle Maecker – EL Crossley
Sarah Chivers – Jean Vanier
Maddie Wright – Lakeshore
Sarah Armstrong – Notre Dame
Jennifer Kozelj – Port Colborne
Christine Awad – Smithville Christian
Sophia Al-Kayed – St. Francis (1G)
Cloey Lymburner – South Lincoln
Rachel Clayton – Denis Morris
Madeleine Smith – Sir Winston Churchill

Boys Participants
Team White
Bryan Crawford – South Lincoln
Michael Casciano – AN Myer
Bryce Morgan – EL Crossley
Malcolm McKay – Governor Simcoe
Austin Palumbo – Holy Cross
Jacob Therrien – Notre Dame (1G)
Connor Buchanan – Port Colborne
Justin DeFaria – South Lincoln
Walter Siegmund – St. Francis
Mo Nasser – St. Michael (1G)
James D'Annunzio – St. Paul (3G)
David Attah – Niagara Christian Collegiate (2G)
Addision DeTullio – Grimsby (1G)
Jonathan Buist – Smithville Christian (1G)
Owen Charnock – Denis Morris (1G)