For their second consecutive match, the Niagara Knights women's soccer program (2-1-2, 3rd OCAA Central) held their opponents off the score sheet in a strong defensive. The Knights defeated the George Brown Huskies (1-5, 5th OCAA Central) by a score of 5-0 on Thursday night for the second time this season.
Even with a strong effort in the defensive half, the story of the night was Alex Pasco (Niagara Falls). Pasco recorded three goals in the winning effort. With the trio of strikes Pasco now has 7 career goals in a Niagara uniform, putting her only three goals behind the Knights career record of 10 goals set by Jackie Lawther last season. Her tallies came in the 45th, 54th, and 62nd minutes of the match.
"Alex's three goals were representative of how we operate as a group," said Head Coach Frank DeChellis following the victory. "We demonstrated success on set pieces, attacking in numbers, and strong individual efforts to secure the victory."
Bethany Langendoen (St. Catharines) scored her first goal as a Knight in the 79th minute, while Emily Babcock (Caledon) rounded out the scoring off a penalty kick in the 85th minute. Morgan German (Niagara Falls) earned the first clean sheet in her young collegiate career. "Morgan was solid in net tonight," added DeChellis, "she was very involved when we were in possession of the ball throughout all 90 minutes of the match."
With the victory over the Huskies behind them, the Knights now turn their focus to the league leading Humber Hawks (4-0-1, 1st OCAA Central). The Hawks will visit Welland on Saturday afternoon, as the Knights look to rebound from their matchup just 10 days ago in Toronto. After trailing 2-1 at half, the Knights allowed goals in the first and last minutes of the second half in a 4-1 loss.
Julia Pantusa (Niagara Falls) scored the lone goal for the Knights in the losing cause. However, since allowing the quadrant of goals against Humber, the Niagara goaltending tandem of Morgan German (Niagara Falls) and Brittany Haanappel (Niagara Falls) recorded a pair of back to back clean sheets. With young players throughout the lineup, the results and progress that the coaches have seen at training at beginning to translate effectively onto the pitch during games.
With three teams deadlocked with eight points apiece in the OCAA Central Division standings, every game will have playoff implications in the season's second half. Niagara is currently tied with the Seneca Sting (2-0-2, 2nd OCAA Central) and Sheridan Bruins (2-1-2, 3rd OCAA Central). Beginning on Saturday afternoon, every point matters in the standings heading down the stretch.
Kick off for Saturday's game is scheduled for 2pm at Young's Sportsplex (570 River Road, Welland). Admission is free for all spectators.
