The Niagara College women's soccer program opened their 2014 season in heartbreaking fashion, falling 1-0 to the visiting Redeemer Royals. The Knights controlled the majority of the contest but were unable to beat the hot hands of Royals keeper Grace Berkel.
The Knights opened the game slowly and failed to find their rhythm in the first 20 minutes of the match. The Royals capitalized in the 18th minute converting on a well struck ball by Sierra O'Connell from just outside the penalty area.
The Knights regrouped however, finishing the first half with two narrowly missed scoring opportunities.
The second half saw the Knights dominate from the opening kick off, out shooting the Royals 10-2 in the half. Additionally the Knights had three second half scoring attempts hit the goalpost/crossbar including a penalty kick.
The defining moment of the half came in the 88th minute when Royals goalkeeper Grace Berkel made an outstanding save on a penalty awarded due to a hand ball inside the 18 yard box. The save was one of Berkel's 14 total saves in the match.
After the match Niagara College women's soccer head coach Frank DeChellis commented "As a coach the only thing I could have asked for was a goal or two. We out passed, out possessed, out penetrated Redeemer by high margins only to watch a 1-0 loss get marked on the score sheet. Other than the lack of points in the standings, there is nothing for me to be upset about."
Up next for the Niagara College women's soccer program is a September 10th road matchup versus the powerhouse Humber Hawks.
