September 23, 2022...WELLAND - The Niagara Knights men's soccer team went 0-2 in their two weeknight games last weekend, dropping them to a 1-4 record and their last win coming from September 16th's 3-1 win over Lambton College.
The Knights knew they had their work cut out for them Wednesday night with Sheridan after being defeated 7-0 by the Bruins just one week earlier. Things looked good early on for the blue and white with both teams playing a bit of a chess match to see who would strike first.
Things remained scoreless through the second half before the Bruins managed to break through the back line and take a 1-0 lead. The Knights continued to look for the equalizer with just under 25 minutes remaining before Sheridan found the back of the net again to secure a 2-0 lead with just minutes left.
The Bruins would go on to win 2-0 and improving to 3-0-2 on the season, while the Knights fell to 1-3.
Despite the loss, Knights goal keeper Anthony Argueta played brilliantly, facing 13 shots and allowing just two.
Friday night had Niagara traveling down the QEW for their match against the Mohawk Mountaineers at Tim Horton's field in Hamilton. The Mountaineers were still searching for their first win of the season, with Niagara looking to bounce back from Wednesday night's loss.
The game looked to be heading to a draw as both teams were unable to capitalize before the Mountaineers managed to solve Argueta, popping two by him in a one minute span to go up 2-0 and earn their first win of the 2022-2023 season.
"To have played the way we did the last two games and leave with no points and no goals really stings," said head coach Frank DeChellis.
"We did everything we needed to do to walk away with at least three points and zippo. I am frustrated for our players. They work hard and intelligently at training, they are playing well during games and their fitness level is where it should be. Our program has come to expect post-season play and we will need all of our experience to dig ourselves out of this hole. "We can't use the excuse of 2 games in 3 days because we have enough guys and our injuries were not an issue in the big picture."
"Anthony (Argueta) was solid in goal for us over those two matches. He has really elevated his game and that is a result of his hard work, both pre-season and in-season. He is focused on the whole Niagara College experience and has really moulded himself into a model student-athlete."
DeChellis and his squad will look to regroup and reset for their Saturday afternoon match against Fanshawe College at 1:00 PM. Fanshawe is still looking for their first win with a 0-2-2 record.