September 15, 2022...WELLAND - Wednesday night's road game at Sheridan College did not go as planned for the Niagara College Knights men's soccer team. After coming off a tough home opening loss last Friday to Conestoga (1-0), the Knights were hoping to rebound at their first away game last night.
Sheridan set the tone early with Rahim Thorpe netting back-to-back goals in the first eight minutes to give the Bruins an early 2-0 lead that they carried through to the second half.
The Bruins continued to pile it on with the Knights unable to respond in the second half. Sheridan would go on to add six more goals - two more for Thorpe to give him four on the night - and secure their second win of the season, while Niagara was handed their second loss.
Despite the lopsided loss, head coach Frank DeChellis remains optimistic about his team heading in the right direction.
"That result hurts but it's in the past," said DeChellis. "We have to continue taking the positives and making those positives happen in longer spurts. Fitness and speed have not been issues, which gives us a good foundation to compile experience minutes and acclimatize our younger players to college level soccer. Sheridan is one of the teams we play twice this season, so it's a good exercise for the team to see what progress they've made."
One of those younger players DeChellis references is first-year midfielder, Robbie McMillan. McMillan has started both games for the blue and white this season and agrees with DeChellis- it just takes time.
"There were some positives to take out of the game, we are still finding our identity," said McMillian after Wednesday's loss. "We seem to be a little rushed and nervous on the ball, we have to try and play our game more simple and break out creatively and confident under pressure"
Fifth-year veteran and co-captain Noah DiEgidio also agrees with DeChellis.
"Unfortunately it wasn't the result we wanted. We are a Young team still going through some growing pains. We need to remember the feeling, but forget the game, and start to prepare for Lambton"
Niagara will return home to Youngs Sportsplex Friday night in search of a win against the Lambton Lions (1-0) at 8:00pm.
