No. 4 Women's Soccer blanks Mohawk

By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications

Etobicoke – No. 4 Humber's women's soccer finished Saturday's matchday, picking up three points against the Mohawk Mountaineers (2-1-0), 1-0. With an amazing defensive performance, the Hawks once again did not concede a goal. Second-year goalkeeper Isabella Bernardi added one more clean sheet to her career, the second of the season.

Match Recap

At 12 minutes, The Hawks had a free-kick opportunity right next to the center circle. Hayley Lewis found the 2022 OCAA Women's Soccer West Division Player of the Year, Kaitlynn Russell, who hit a header that went a couple of inches away from the left post, almost putting Humber on the board with an early goal. 

Unlike their male counterparts, Humber women's soccer had no problem getting on the board in the first half.

Though the Mountaineers had a solid defence and Humber was struggling to build up its offensive game, the Hawks teamplay came out strong to change the match's scenario at 28 minutes. With an impressive one-two play between Kaitlynn Russell and Hayley Lewis, the fifth-year left-back pushed strong on the left-wing side and scored Humber's first tally of the match, her first goal in the OCAA 2023 season. 

Right before the break, Catarina Medeiros had a chance to add another number to the score. After getting a rebound, the Brampton-born hammered from 20 yards out, but Mohawk's keeper Samantha DeHaan stopped Humber's number 10 and conceded a corner for the Hawks. 

After a challenge-free first half for the 2022 Humber Athletics Rookie of the Year, goalkeeper Isabella Bernardi had to dive into her left to save a great 25-yard shot from the Mountaineers. Following this opportunity, Mohawk's Jaiden Morgan made a dangerous cross into the six-yard box to Paige Epp but, fortunately for the Hawks, the ball went up of the post. 

The Mountaineers were a completely different team in the second half. Humber women's soccer was pressured the entire time, with Mohawk controlling the midfield having great ball possession and good defence-attack transitions. But, the Hawks' defence came in clutch, conceding no goals to the opposite team. 

Kiara Puntillo, Vanessa Reda, Jasleen Thandi and Hayley Lewis were Humber's defence highlights. The Hawks' defensive chemistry was on point, not allowing the Mountaineers to drive a single tally into the box. 

Humber women's soccer ended the soccer Saturday matchday picking up three points against Mohawk and securing their second win of the 2023 season, 1-0. 

What's next?

The Hawks (2-0-1) will host the Redeemers Royals (2-0-1) next Wednesday, Sept. 20. at the Ontario Soccer Centre. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.