WINDSOR, Ont. – The Durham College men's soccer team had a convincing 3-1 victory over St. Clair College on Sunday afternoon, thanks to a pair of goals by captain Bruce Cullen (Pickering, Ont.), to advance to the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) championship.
 
The Lords fell behind early as St. Clair's Stefan Zastavnikovic opened the scoring on a loose ball scramble inside the 18-yard box at the 25-minute mark.
 
That goal held up until the half as St. Clair took a 1-0 lead into the locker room.
 
The wind definitely was a factor in Sunday's game with the Saints enjoying wind at their backs in the first half. That benefited the Lords in the second half. Head coach Dave Ashfield told his team to remain patient and work hard during the break.
 
The Lords evened the game at 1-1 early in the second half as Jeremy Bangala (Pickering, Ont.) scored at the 54th minute on a great ball from Austin Macdonell (Pickering, Ont.). That gave the Lords an edge in momentum. Just 12 minutes later Cullen drilled a ball low off the right post that found the net at the 66th minute, giving the Lords a 2-1 lead.
 
St. Clair would challenge hard to even the score, but a strong defensive effort by the Lords prevented any opportunities of merit for the Saints. At the 83rd minute of the game Cullen scored his second of the game off a penalty kick, low and into the right side of the net to put the Lords up 3-1.
 
That would do it for the game. Even with an additional three minutes of injury time, Durham College walked away with the 3-1 victory. Lords goalkeeper Dylan Yeo (Newmarket, Ont.) was solid the entire game in registering the win, making four saves.
 
"We were good enough in the first half and hung in until some player strategy in the second half changed the momentum," said Ashfield. "It was good road win and will provide a boost of confidence for our team heading into the OCAA championship."
 
The win advanced Durham College to the 2017 Belairdirect OCAA Men's Soccer Championship next week in Peterborough, hosted by Fleming College. 
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE LORDS
Overall Record: 9-5-2
Conference Record: 6-3-1

Next Game: 2017 Belairdirect OCAA Men's Soccer Championship