After a disappointing 2-1 loss to the #1 nationally ranked Humber Hawks (3-0, 1st OCAA Central), the Niagara Knights men's soccer program (1-2, 4th OCAA Central) will welcome the rival Sheridan Bruins (2-1, 2nd OCAA Central) to Welland on Sunday night. The Knights player a Sheridan team that is just three points ahead in the standings, as they look to stay close in the competitive OCAA Central Division.
After a surpising 3-1 defeat in their home opener, the Knights rebounded in their second game of the season to secure a 2-0 victory over the UTM Eagles (0-3, 6th OCAA Central). They dropped a heartbreaker to the Hawks on Wednesday night, and are hoping they can pick-up another victory coming off a loss. In their last match, the Knights took the defending national champions the distance that included a late goal that was disallowed.
The Sheridan Bruins, the national champions from 2014, will present another tough challenge for Niagara to overcome. Niagara will need a strong performance from the front end down to the keeper in order to come away from the match with points. The Knights will be without leading scorer Keith Makubuya (St. Catharines) as he sits out a one game suspension due to accumulation of cards. Veterans like Alex Latham (Welland) and Jordi Amores (Niagara Falls) will be relied upon to lead the team into what is once again a key divisional matchup.
On the defensive side of the ball goalkeepers Sam Robson (Milton) and Fiore Costa (Niagara Falls) have both been excellent while splitting time in the net. Defenders Andrew Currie (Woodstock) who scored his first goal as a Knight earlier this season, Draven Stokes (Milton), and Quinton Leone (Niagara Falls) have been a calming presence that will once again be counted on.
Last season Niagara earned their first every victory over the strong Sheridan program, defeating the Bruins 2-1 on the road. However, Sheridan returned the favour defeating the Knights at Youngs Sportsplex in the return matchup. This weekend's matchup kicks off at 8pm on Sunday evening at Youngs Sportsplex (570 River Road, Welland). Admission is free for all spectators.
