For the fourth straight season, the Niagara Knights men's soccer program is making an OCAA Quarterfinal appearance. They believe this is the year they are able to advance to the Semi-Final for the first time in program history. The Knights will open the 2016 Belairdirect OCAA Men's Soccer Championship with an afternoon matchup at 12pm against the St. Clair Saints.
When the Knights lineup for the opening kick-off tomorrow, they will be a confident group. After defeating the Cambrian Golden Shield 2-1, on the road, last Saturday in their OCAA playoff opener the team believes they have what it takes to succeed. "We are not going to the tournament to be mere participants," said Head Coach Frank DeChellis. "Our attitude is positive, our form is where we want it to be, and training has been upbeat all week long."
It will not be an easy road for Niagara. They are taking on the class of the OCAA West Division in the St. Clair Saints. The Saints wrapped up the regular season with a 7-1-2 record and owned the divisions best goal differential at plus-17, with 24 goals for to their credit. However, much like the regular season Niagara will rely on the strength of their defenders and goalkeeping.
The Niagara defence has been steadfast throughout the season, finishing only behind the number one nationally ranked Humber Hawks in goals against in the tough OCAA Central Division. "Our goalkeepeing tandem of Sam Robson (Milton) and Fiore Costa (Niagara Falls) is pushing each other like I've never seen," DeChellis added. "They've both given us reason to feel secure in moving up the field and having reliable support behind us when we need it."
A teacher by trade, coach DeChellis equated the championship weekend to the classroom experience. "The training sessions throughout the season are the lecture and labs," DeChellis said. "The games are the tests." By extension, the Knights will be taking their final exams this weekend in Ancaster as Redeemer University College plays host to the event. The players have studied, the final preparations are now complete, and the only thing that remains is passing the test.
The Knights and Saints will kick off the tournament at 12:00pm on October 27th. The winner will advance to the OCAA Semi-Final, while the loser will be relegated to the consolation bracket. The championship final will take place on Saturday, October 29th at 3:00pm.
All information for the 2016 Belairdirect OCAA Men's Soccer Championship can be found here:
Schedule
Tickets
Live Stream
