The Niagara Knights men's soccer program's impressive season has come to an end. After finishing the regular season with a 7-2-1 record on route to a second-place finish in the OCAA West, the Knights went into the OCAA Championships for the fourth straight year, looking for their first provincial championship. After dropping the opening matchup of the tournament against the Humber Hawks, the Knights moved into the consolation bracket and took on the U of T Mississauga (UTM) Eagles on Friday morning.
The first half was quiet, as both teams went into the break without scoring a goal. But coming out of the halftime, UTM started to break things open. In the 52nd minute they took the 1-0 lead with a long-distance strike. Just moments later, in the 58th minute, the Knights would concede yet again as the Eagles would take the 2-0 lead.
Before the final whistle blew, UTM would add two more goals on their way to a 4-0 win and an advance to the consolation finals. The loss would immediately put an end to the Knights season.
Oti Frigole (St. Catharines) scored the only goal for Niagara in the OCAA Championships and it came just 90 seconds into the first game.
The Knights hopes of bringing home the program's first provincial championship will have to wait at least another year, but looking back, the Knights reputation has begun to cement itself as one of Ontario's top programs. Niagara's great season was noticed around the league as three players were named OCAA All-Stars.
