For the first time ever, the Niagara Knights men's soccer program has advanced to the OCAA semi-final. Jordi Amores (Niagara Falls) was the hero of the day for Niagara, scoring both of the goals to defeat the St. Clair Saints 2-1 in the quarterfinal this afternoon.
The opening match of the 2016 Belairdirect OCAA Men's Soccer Championship in Ancaster was a cold, rainy affair. It was a hesitant start to the contest, with both teams playing back and forth, but neither team having any threatening scoring chances. All of the games action too place in the second half and beyond.
The Saints had a man sent off in the 62nd minute of the match, providing a distinct advantage. However, after a highlight reel save by St. Clair on the ensuing free kick the momentum would turn. On a Saints free kick from centre, they played a ball into the box that was finished on a header by CCAA All-Canadian Stefan Milidrag to provide St. Clair a 1-0 lead.
However, the Knights would not give up. With the extra man they turned up the pressure. After a great hustle play by Aaron VanVelzen led to a Niagara corner, the tide changed. From the left corner, Jordi Amores played a seeing eye ball into the box that found it's way into the bottom right corner to square the match. With nothing decided after 90 minutes, extra time was required.
Once again, it would be the foot of Amores that provided what the Knights needed. In the ninth minute of extra time, a Niagara through ball to the box squeaked free onto the foot of Amores. His deft touch propelled the ball into the bottom right corner of the night, and subsequently into the OCAA semi-final.
"Jordi Amores turned his game up two notches today," said Head Coach Frank DeChellis of the third year player. "I've seen Jordi do some amazing things, but today he dazzled us with his display of skill and creativity."
The third year entered the quarterfinal for the third consecutive year, and was understandably emotional after the match. "This is my first quarterfinal victory in three tries," said Amores. "Scoring two goals in a match where we played so well as a team is a lot for me to digest."
Alongside the offensive flair of Amores, the coach was quick to commend the play of his back four throughout the contest. "The back four continues to be the backbone. They are like wild animals protecting their nest," DeChellis added.
In their two playoff matches thus far the Knights have now knocked off the East division's number two seed, and the West division's number one seed. Niagara will now take on the East's number one seeded Algonquin Thunder in the semi-final. "Algonquin will be tough, especially after an extra time affair in the cold, wet conditions," said DeChellis. "Our depth will be tested tomorrow, but we feel our team is ready to any challenge thrown in their direction.
Tomorrow's semi-final is slated to kick-off at 2:30pm at Redeemer University College. The match will be streamed live here.
