V FOR VIKINGS VICTORIES
The St. Lawrence Vikings have already ensured that this men's soccer season will be an improvement from last year.
The Vikings picked up two home victories over the weekend, including a dramatic 2-1 win over Centennial, and a more comfortable 6-2 victory over Fleming in which fourth-year forward Jared Savory (Kingston) scored four goals.
With St. Lawrence going 1-4-2 last season, the Vikings have already surpassed their 2014 points total of five. With a new league format in 2015, St. Lawrence will get another crack at Centennial and Fleming later this month.
The Vikings begin a stretch of three away matches starting Saturday at Cambrian.
C FOR CLUTCH
Two players on different OCAA pitches scored in stoppage time to give their teams valuable points in the standings.
First-year striker Kaelan Urech (Hamilton) knocked in a rebound off a penalty kick to give Mohawk an important 1-1 draw with St. Clair. The tie seemed improbable with Mohawk was down to 10 men in the contest.
At St. Lawrence, second-year midfielder Nicholas Gallagher (Kingston) scored in the 90th minute to pull out a 2-1 win over Centennial.
PROVING THEIR MEDAL
Algonquin, Humber and Sheridan have all been OCAA medalists the past two seasons. Not surprisingly, the trio have a combined 4-0-0 record to begin 2015.
The defending OCAA champion Thunder defeated Fleming and Centennial by a combined score of 10-0. Algonquin first-year striker Marco Natoli (Ottawa) tallied four goals to match Savory on top of the OCAA scoring race.
Defending national gold medalist Sheridan began its season by defeating the University of Toronto Mississauga 2-0 on the road. It was a similar result for reigning OCAA silver medalist Humber, winning 2-0 at Niagara.
OPENING STATEMENTS
Two other teams that had sub-.500 records a season ago have started 2015 on the right foot.
The Cambrian Golden Shield edged Durham 1-0 on the strength of a goal by first-year forward Marcello Tantalo (Sudbury). The Golden Shield have already matched last season's win total, going 1-4-2 in 2014.
Another clutch performer, fifth-year midfielder Josh Elgeti (Peterborough), scored two goals in the 79th and 84th minutes to give the Redeemer Royals a 2-1 win over Lambton. Redeemer was 2-3-3 last season.
RECENT RESULTS
| Date | Away | Home | Status | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 12 | Durham | 0 | Cambrian | 1 | Final |
| Lambton | 1 | Redeemer | 2 | Final | |
| Centennial | 1 | St. Lawrence (K) | 2 | Final | |
| Fleming | 0 | Algonquin | 4 | Final | |
| Humber | 2 | Niagara | 0 | Final | |
| St. Clair | 1 | Mohawk | 1 | Final | |
| Sept. 13 | Fleming | 2 | St. Lawrence (K) | 6 | Final |
| Centennial | 0 | Algonquin | 6 | Final | |
| Sheridan | 2 | U of T Mississauga | 0 | Final | |
| Sept. 14 | Fanshawe | 0 | Conestoga | 0 | Final |
UPCOMING GAMES
| Date | Away | Home | Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 16 | Lambton | St. Clair | 5:00 PM | ||
| Sept. 17 | Seneca | George Brown | 8:00 PM | ||
| Fleming | Durham | 8:00 PM | |||
| Fanshawe | Redeemer | 8:00 PM | |||
| Sept. 19 | Niagara | Sheridan | 2:00 PM | ||
| Mohawk | Fanshawe | 2:00 PM | |||
| St. Lawrence (K) | Cambrian | 2:30 PM | |||
| Durham | Centennial | 3:00 PM | |||
| St. Clair | Conestoga | 3:00 PM | |||
| Redeemer | Lambton | 3:00 PM | |||
| Sept. 20 | Algonquin | Cambrian | 2:30 PM | ||
| St. Lawrence (K) | Centennial | 3:00 PM | |||
| George Brown | U of T Mississauga | 3:15 PM | |||
| Humber | Seneca | 5:15 PM |
Source: OCAA Communications