VAUGHAN, Ont. - As the top two collegiate teams in the province kicked off to battle for the OCAA Men's Soccer Championship, the Hawks were looking to win their 15th OCAA gold in program history. Humber knew its clash against the Sting would be tough as Seneca was the only other team with a perfect season; however, the jam-packed bleachers at the Ontario Soccer Centre were cheering loudly for the talented Hawks squad and gave them the motivation to jump out to an early lead.
In the 23rd minute, the OCAA Defensive Player of the Year Alex Meczarski opened the scoring and put the Hawks ahead. After Damion Kaye chipped the ball into the box over two Sting defenders, Meczarski swiftly crept behind the defence to bury the go-ahead tally.
The Hawks momentum from Meczarski's goal continued as Humber doubled their lead four minutes later with a goal off the head of Abdul-Azeez Babawale. A perfectly placed corner from the captain, Luca Uccello, found Babawale in the box, and the Toronto native made no mistake in finding the top-right corner of the meshing. Babawale's second of the tournament put the Hawks in the driver's seat, sending them into the break with a 2-0 lead.
The Hawks' dream start to the gold medal game came true as they dominated Seneca in the first half. Humber controlled possession for much of the half and had five shot attempts, with four coming on target. Meanwhile, Seneca's poor first-half performance saw them only taking one shot attempt that missed the net.
After a chippy start to the half that saw the squads trade fouls and yellow cards, Babawale scored a nearly identical goal to his first-half marker. A Uccello corner found the head of Babawale in the box, and he potted his second of the match to put the Hawks ahead by three in the 65th minute.
Babawale would score his hat-trick tally in the 77th minute to put the Hawks ahead by a dominating four goals. OCAA First-Team League All-Star Kadell Thomas rushed into the box and crossed the ball over to a speedy Babawale driving the net, where he potted his third goal of the match, securing a provincial championship for the Hawks.
As the match referee's whistle blew, the Hawks were declared the 2022 OCAA champions and the kings of collegiate soccer in Ontario for the 10th time in 12 years.
Source: Humber Hawks
In the OCAA Bronze Medal match, the George Brown Huskies defeated the Fanshawe Falcons 2-0.
The Huskies took control of the scoreboard immediately when Mark Do Coito scored in the third minute, and then again in the closing moments of the first half.
George Brown locked it in the remainder of the match to come way with its second OCAA medal in two seasons.
George Brown goalkeeper Mabroor Butt made nine saves in the match.
Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/msoc
Live Webcast: www.ocaa.com/ocaalive
OCAA Championship MVP
Keegan Wilson, Humber
OCAA Championship All-Stars
Atif Ali, Seneca
Mark Do Coito, George Brown
Alex Meczarski, Humber
Engjell Qamili, Fanshawe
Francisco Thomas Cerros, Seneca
Luca Uccello, Humber
Wednesday, October 26
Quarter-Finals
Game #1: Fanshawe def. St. Lawrence 6-1
Game #2: Humber def. Durham 5-1
Game #3: George Brown def. Conestoga 1-1 (PK)
Game #4: Seneca def. St. Clair 2-1
Friday, October 28
Semi-Finals
Game #5: Humber def. Fanshawe 4-1
Game #6: Seneca def. George Brown 4-0
Saturday, October 29
Bronze Medal Match
Game #7: George Brown def. Fanshawe 2-0
Gold Medal Match
Game #8: Humber def. Seneca 4-0
- OCAA -
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