It was a dream start for the Niagara Knights men's soccer program at the 2018 OCAA Men's Soccer Championship. However, the Knights were snapped back to reality by a hungry Humber Hawks team that stormed back to score seven unanswered goals after Niagara opened the scoring. Humber knocked the Knights out of medal contention taking the OCAA quarterfinal matchup 7-1 at Esther Shiner Stadium in Toronto.
Rookie sensation and OCAA All-Star Oti Frigole (St. Catharines) opened the scoring for Niagara just 90 seconds into the match. Frigole snuck past a defender on a misplayed ball, and slide one past the Humber goalkeeper to grab the early lead.
"Many coaches don't understand the dynamic of scoring an early goal," said Knights Head Coach Frank DeChellis. "For the last 43 minutes of the first half we had the best team in Canada angry and flying at us and handled it very well."
The Knights would hang onto the lead until the final play of the first half, when Humber's Jaineil Hoilett was awarded a penalty kick. Romario James (Bahamas) made a save on the initial attempt, though a retake was ordered after the official determined that James made early movement on the ball. Hoilett made no mistake on his second attempt to draw the game even after 45 minutes.
It wouldn't take long for Humber to establish themselves in the second half, knocking home a screamer off a cross just inside the box to provide them with a 2-1 lead that they would never relinquish. The Hawks would add another one 20 minutes later, firmly planting themselves in the league and snuffing out any hope of a comeback for the Knights. It would be the start of an onslaught that would see Humber add four goals in a sixteen minute stretch for the 7-1 final.
Oti Frigole was named player of the game for the Knights.
Despite the loss, the Knights will have a quick turnaround and get back on the pitch tomorrow morning in the consolation semi-final. "It's a blessing that we have a game tomorrow," said Dechellis. "We are getting a solid life lesson, no matter what happens the sun is coming up again tomorrow and the world expects you to be there."
Niagara will take on the University of Toronto Mississauga Eagles tomorrow in the consolation semi-final. Kickoff is slated for 9am. The game will be streamed live at sportscanada.tv/georgebrown.
