NEWS: Diacur and Halliday named Athletes of the Week

NEWS: Diacur and Halliday named Athletes of the Week

Male Athlete of the Week – Connor Diacur, Men’s Soccer

Connor Diacur of the Niagara Knights men’s soccer program has been named this week’s male athlete of the week. Diacur was a catalyst for the Knights during his team’s 2-2 draw with the St. Clair Saints on Saturday, October 14th at Youngs SportsPlex in Welland.

Diacur, a fourth year forward from St. Catharines directly set up both goals for the Knights during the contest. From his wing position, the former Winston Churchill Bulldog executed sensational crossing passes, allowing for striker Carlos Williams to twice convert into a wide open net.

Diacur is a graduate of Niagara College sport management, and is currently enrolled in the public relations post-graduate program.

“Connor brings a level of energy that really disrupts our opponents” said Knights men’s soccer head coach Frank DeChellis” Connor and Carlos combining on those two goals were good moments for our group.”

Diacur and the rest of the Knights men’s soccer program will return to action on Wednesday, October 18th when the team wraps up the OCAA Regular season with a home field matchup against the Redeemer Royals. A win will see the Knights clinch second place in the OCAA West Division.

 Female Athlete of the Week – Shannon Halliday, Women’s Soccer

For the second time this season, Shannon Halliday of the Niagara Knights women’s soccer program has been named athlete of the week. Halliday was a defensive force for the Knights during the team’s 1-0 loss to the St. Clair Saints on October 14th.

The fifth year team captain, and native of Welland has been instrumental in the Knights defensive scheme that has limited opponents to just eight goals in nine matches in 2017.

Against the Saints, from her familiar centre back position, Halliday was the key figure in holding the OCAA West’s highest scoring offensive attack to just one goal on October 14th.

“Our captain is a joy to coach and is one of our most committed players” said Knights head coach Rob Lalama. “She leads our back line and is a real physical presence on the field.”

Halliday and the rest of the Niagara Knights women’s soccer program will conclude the 2017 OCAA regular season on October 18th when the team hosts the Redeemer Royals at 4:00pm at Youngs SportsPlex.