BEST WESTERN

The most exciting race in Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) men's soccer comes to a head this Wednesday as second place St. Clair visits first place Fanshawe.

Three points separate these teams through six matches, with Wednesday's winner taking the inside track towards a west regional title, and a bye directly into the OCAA championship at the end of the month.

After a scoreless draw at Conestoga to open its season, Fanshawe has won five straight, outscoring its opponents 17-1. The Falcons finally surrendered a goal in their last match, a 4-1 win over Redeemer on Saturday.

St. Clair also had a slow start to its season, tying Mohawk 1-1 then dropping a 3-1 decision to Lambton. St. Clair has reeled off four straight wins, including two against Conestoga and a 1-0 win over Mohawk.

Wednesday's match will feature the two top scorers in the OCAA. St. Clair fifth-year forward Jordan Lidia (Leamington) leads the league with 10 goals in six matches, while Fanshawe second-year forward Mike Marcoccia (London) has scored six times in five games.

Should Fanshawe falter, it will have an opportunity for redemption when these teams meet in the regular season finale on Oct. 21. Should St. Clair lose, it will be a hard hole to climb out of, trailing first place by six points and only three matches to play.

BY GEORGE! (BROWN)

It was a good week for the George Brown Huskies.

Third-year forward Lyndon Vase (Toronto) scored the lone goal in George Brown's 1-0 win against Seneca, avenging a 1-0 loss to that same team earlier in the season.

And although the Huskies were held without a goal their next match, it was a significant outcome as George Brown and Humber battled to a scoreless draw. Second-year goaltender Aris Efstathiadis (Toronto) stopped all 11 shots he faced, including a penalty kick. Humber was held without a victory for the first time all season.

George Brown takes its modest two-game unbeaten streak into its home match against UTM on Wednesday in another key game. With the top three teams in the central (excluding championship host Humber) earning a post-season berth, the Huskies are currently in fourth place, one point ahead of both UTM and Seneca in the standings. A win for either team may be enough to ensure a playoff game at the end of the month.

NO LEASTS IN THIS EAST

While the other two regions will have some clarity within the next few days, the east region may come down to the final matches of the regular season.

Front-runner Algonquin is on a two-game tie streak, so the Thunder has not been able to put any distance between themselves and their closest rivals despite its unbeaten record.

Three teams are currently tied for second place with eight points, trailing Algonquin by three. St. Lawrence has six points in just four matches, with plenty of opportunity to gain ground, especially with two matches against Algonquin beginning on Wednesday. Even last place Centennial with its five points is still within reach of a playoff berth.

The top four teams earn trips to the post-season, so bank on an exciting race to the finish line.

TURKEY TALK

This weekend marks the quietest weekend of the OCAA regular season in observance of the Thanksgiving long weekend.

Seven matches will take place before Saturday. Two east region matches will take place on Saturday as Algonquin hosts Cambrian and Fleming visits Centennial.

The schedule picks up again the following Tuesday as the chase for OCAA provincials heats up.

The top four teams in each region advance to the post-season, with division winners and host Humber gaining a bye into the final eight championship. If Humber finishes below fourth in the central, then only the top three teams in that region advance.

RECENT RESULTS

UPCOMING GAMES

Source: OCAA Communications