TOP GUNS

With apologies to defending Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) men's soccer champion Algonquin, the best of the best are set to resume hostilities at Centennial Park Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

Defending national champion Sheridan pays a visit to reigning provincial silver medalist Humber in what is simply the top rivalry the OCAA has to offer.

These teams met in four consecutive OCAA final four matches between 2010 and 2013.  Each of the past nine games between these clubs since 2010 have been decided by one goal (or penalty kicks) or ended in a stalemate. Humber holds a 5-1-3 record in these contests.

Sept. 24, 2014 - Sheridan 1, Humber 1 (regular season)
Oct. 25, 2013 - Humber 1, Sheridan 0* (OCAA semi-final)
Sept. 21, 2013 - Humber 0, Sheridan 0 (regular season)
Oct. 26, 2012 - Humber 1, Sheridan 0 (OCAA semi-final)
Oct. 3, 2012 - Sheridan 1, Humber 0 (regular season)
Oct. 29, 2011 - Humber 1, Sheridan 0 (OCAA gold medal match)
Oct. 12, 2011 - Humber 0, Sheridan 0 (regular season)
Oct. 30, 2010 - Humber 2, Sheridan 1 (OCAA gold medal match)
Oct. 13, 2010 - Humber 2, Sheridan 1 (regular season)
*settled by penalty kicks

Remarkably, these teams missed each other at last year's provincials, although each took home an OCAA medal for the fifth consecutive season. These teams have also combined to win the last three national championships.

So this match is kind of a big deal, especially with Sheridan (1-1-0) coming off its first defeat of the year. Humber (2-0-0) is looking to build its lead atop the central standings.

NIAGARA DOESN'T FALL

When Niagara was pegged to join the newly created central region with Humber and Sheridan, you can bet there were some people around Welland who thought, "just our luck", along with other words not suitable for print.

There is an old adage in sport: to be the best, you have to beat the best. The Niagara Knights took advantage of that opportunity on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over reigning OCAA bronze medalist and defending national champion Sheridan.

Fourth-year forward Keith Makubuya (St. Catharines) and first-year player Alex Latham (Welland) contributed goals for the Knights.

It mark Niagara's first ever win over Sheridan in 11 tries. After losing to Humber 2-0 to open their season, the Knights have to be more than satisfied with a split against the OCAA's version of the gauntlet. Niagara will face these foes again later in the season, no doubt with added confidence.

IN DEFENCE OF ALGONQUIN

It's not a smart idea to be as dismissive of Algonquin as what was written in the first paragraph, so consider this a make good towards the Thunder.

The defending OCAA champions are 3-0-0 to begin 2015 with three consecutive shutouts. Their latest victim was Cambrian, which Algonquin defeated 2-0 on the road.

The Thunder have outscored their opponents 12-0, with first-year striker Marco Natoli (Ottawa) leading the way with five goals.

Algonquin has not lost a regular season match since 2010. With the division winners given an automatic bye into provincials, any "best-of-the-best" conversation has to include Algonquin.

WHAT A LONG STRANGE TRIP IT HAS BEEN

It's one thing to travel 1,280 kilometres without a win to show for it.

It is an entirely different thing without a game to show for it.

But that's exactly what happened to the St. Lawrence Vikings this past weekend. The Vikings traveled to Sudbury for an anticipated match against Cambrian, but the match was called due to poor field conditions as a result of inclement weather.

The Vikings then travelled due south for a scheduled match at Centennial. This time the conditions were ideal for a soccer match, only the scheduled referee failed to arrive at the pitch, forcing yet another postponement.

The good news for St. Lawrence is that they are still perfect on the season at 2-0-0. The next scheduled match is this Friday at Fleming. Weather and referee permitting.

RECENT RESULTS

UPCOMING GAMES

Source: OCAA Communications