Wednesday, October 28th saw the OCAA announce the receipients of the men's and women's soccer year end awards and the Niagara Knights were well represented four student-athletes named All-Stars and one named OCAA women's soccer defensive player of the year.
Playing in her fourth year of eligibility, Pelham native Natalie Semenuk was named the OCAA Central Division's defensive player of the year. Semenuk joined the Knights prior to the beginning of this season after spending the previous three years competing as a member of the Brock University Badgers. The autism and behavioural sciences student gave the Knights rock solid defensive play all season, playing huge minutes in helping lead the Knights to their first post-season appearance since 2010.
The women's soccer all-stars for the Knights were a pair of talented veterans in midfielder Rebecca Morrison and striker Jackie Lawther.
This marks the second consecutive all-star selection for the Grimsby native Lawther. The sport management student and graduate of Blessed Trinity Secondary School scored nine goals in 2015 more than quadrupling the previous Niagara Knights women's soccer single season scoring record of two. Lawther finishes the 2015 season with three Niagara Knights scoring records including single game (3 goals), single season (9 goals), and career (10 goals). She was named CCAA and OCAA soccer athlete of the week for the week of September 28th. Before joining the Knights in 2014, Lawther spent the previous two seasons competing as a member of the Bishop's University gaiters.
Second year midfielder Rebecca Morrison makes her first appearance on the OCAA All-Star team. Morrison was an anchor for the Knights in 2015 controlling the midfield and defensive zones for her team. The Erin Ontario native, who is also enrolled in the Niagara College sport management program, also featured heavily for the Knights offensive attack routinely being tapped by head coach Frank DeChellis to direct free kicks for her team. Morrison finished with two goals this season, giving her three career tallies for the Knights.
On the men's side veteran forwards Keith Makubuya and Andy Hein were named all-stars for the Knights. The dynamic duo were tied for the team lead in scoring with three goals, and were major factors in helping the Knights qualify for the OCAA Championship for the first time in program history.
Hein is a native of Omemee, Ontario and is currently enrolled in the Niagara College broadcasting, radio, television, and film program. In addition to starring for the Knights men's soccer program, he also competes as a member of the cross country team and in 2014 played the skip position for the men's curling team. Hein was named Niagara College tournament sport athlete of the year in 2014-15.
Makubuya was named the Knights team MVP in 2014-15. The St. Catharines native is in his second year with the team, having spent the two previous years competing as a member of Toronto FC. Makubuya has six career goals for the Knights and brings the team's offensive attack speed, athleticism, and experience. He is a graduate of St. Francis Catholic Secondary school, and is currently enrolled in the Niagara College general arts and sciences program.
The Knights men's soccer program will make their debut in the OCAA Championship on Thursday, October 28th at 9:30am when the team takes on Fanshawe Falcons at Centennial Park in Etobicoke.
