It was not the result they were hoping for, but the Niagara Knights women's soccer program (1-0-1, 1st OCAA Central) earned a 1-1 draw against the visiting University of Toronto Mississauga Eagles (0-0-1, 3rd OCAA Central) on Wednesday night. It was a late strike by Kara Latham (Welland) in the late stages of the game that brought the Knights back even after trailing for the majority of the match.
Latham was certainly the Knights of the night for Niagara. Forced to leave the field twice due to a bloody nose, Latham returned late to place a floating ball over the head of the Eagles keeper from 30 yards out in the 86th minute. It was a much needed goal for the Knights, who were stymied all evening after giving up an early goal to UTM.
The Eagles Katie Flanagan put the visiting side ahead 1-0 in the 11th minute of the contest from just inside the box. However, it was Niagara who would carry the play throughout the match. Emily Babcock (Caledon) nearly drew the Knights even on a long free kick midway through the second half. The ball was struck well and careemed off the post to keep UTM ahead in the match.
The Knights recorded 15 shot attempts against six from the Eagles, including 11 on that reached target. UTM keeper Janielle Walker held the Knights at bay, recording 10 saves. The Knights Brittany Haanappel (Niagara Falls) was equal to the task, recording four saves, including a diving save in the middle of the second half to keep the Knights within a strike.
Head Coach Frank DeChellis was impressed with the level of play from his squad. "I can't believe the score wasn't in our favour in the first 30 minutes," said DeChellis. "Babcock's free kick was struck so well I thought it would have led to bigger things in the early stages of the match."
Despite trailing for most of the contest, DeChellis was very complimentary of his younger players that raised there level of play throughout. "Kara's goal was well deserved after having gone off twice, while Sam Macsai (Port Colborne) and Morgan German (Niagara Falls) are asserting themselves at the college level and provide some much needed depth with grind of the upcoming schedule."
The Knights will now hit the road for their next two contests, visiting the Seneca Sting (0-0-1, 3rd OCAA Central) on Saturday at 5pm and the Humber Hawks (1-0, 2nd OCAA Central) on Tuesday, September 20th at 4:30pm. Niagara will return home on Sunday, September 25th when they welcome the Sheridan Bruins (0-0-1, 3rd OCAA Central) for a 6pm kick-off at Youngs Sportsplex.
