The Niagara Knights women's soccer program (6-2, 2nd OCAA West) defeated the visiting Redeemer Royals (1-5-2, 5th OCAA West) on Tuesday night at Youngs Sportsplex.
After a scoreless first-half, Redeemer broke the stalemate with a 50th minute goal from Sam Serro. Conceding a goal was enough motivation for the Knights' attack as just two minutes later, team captain Kara Latham (Welland) hammered home her second goal of the season to tie things back up.
Later, in the 64th minute, Knights' all-time leading scorer Michelle Maecker (Fonthill) extended her record, potting her 12th career goal to put her team up 2-1. The goal was her 6th of the season, which ties her personal record from a year ago.
Alexis Hebert (Waterdown) made sure that two-goals were enough as she shut out the Royals for the remainder of the match, sealing her team's 2-1 victory and picking up her fifth win of the season.
The victory was one for the record books, as it extended their winning streak to four games which is a new program record. Their sixth victory of the season also extends their single-season wins record which was previously four.
"This team is learning how to win big matches," said head coach Rob Lalama. "We knew Redeemer was going to be tough. At half, I reminded the women to keep working hard and to be patient. I have to give credit to Kara [Latham] with leading us in the comeback. She scored the tying goal and was all over the field tonight, raising her game to a new level."
With two games remaining on the season, the Knights only need one victory to secure at least a second-place finish. They currently trail the Fanshawe Falcons as of Tuesday night by three points, however, the Falcons do have a game-in-hand.
"We knew from the very beginning that it was going to be a tough game," said Latham. "We started off a little slow, but after a little pep talk at half-time, we stepped back onto the field and came together to get things going. I was proud of how we played in the second-half, each and every girl on this team worked hard until the last whistle."
The Niagara Knights will travel to London on Wednesday, October 10th to take on the Fanshawe Falcons. The match is set to begin at 4pm.
