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RECAP: Knights take down Lions to start second-half of season

RECAP: Knights take down Lions to start second-half of season

The Niagara Knights men's soccer program (4-1-1, 3rd OCAA West) got back into the winning column on September 26th against the Lambton Lions (0-6, 6th OCAA West) after earning only one point in their previous two outings.

In just the 12th minute of the game, Eric Woodland (St. Catharines) found Zach DeWeerd (Dundas) who buried the game's first goal and his second of the season. After taking the 1-0 lead into the half, it was veteran leader Jordi Amores (St. Catharines) who scored his 1st goal of the season and the 8th of his career on a perfectly executed free-kick from 30-yards out. Amores' 8th goal of his career puts him just one behind former Knight Keith Makubuya for third all-time in career goals scored in a Knights uniform.

After the Lions made it a one-goal game in the 71st minute courtesy of Kasen Sebben, the Knights regained their two-goal lead in the 90th minute as Dean Miller (Port Colborne) scored his second of the year. The goal would cement the Knights victory, giving them three points on the night.

"We moved the ball very well tonight, building off of the Redeemer match," said Knights head coach Frank DeChellis on his team's performance. "There seems to be harmony between groups on the field and the ball is doing a lot of work. We completed close to 400 passes tonight, generated more shots and won the ball back more than usual. We'll see if that continues Saturday [against Mohawk]".

Despite not being one of the Knights three goal scorers on the night, the impressive play of Noah DiEgidio (Welland) didn't go unnoticed by DeChellis.

"Noah proved his worth again tonight by stepping in at holding midfielder and running the show for the first 60 minutes," said DeChellis. "Noah has had a great season so far on the left wing after a busy summer of preperaton. His decision speed and soccer IQ are both noticeably better than last season and we expect that growth to continue."

With four games remaining on the season, the Knights will look to finish strong and attempt to earn a high-seed for the OCAA playoffs. It won't be easy for Niagara, however, as two of their remaining four games will come against the OCAA West leading Fanshawe Falcons and the second-place Redeemer Royals. Their next matchup comes against the Mohawk Mountaineers (1-5, 5th OCAA West), who the Knights defeated 3-2 in their season opener back on September 8th.

The Knights will travel to Ancaster to take on the Mohawk Mountaineers at Royals Soccer Club (777 Garner Road East) on Saturday, September 29th. Kick-off is set for 4pm.