No. 2 Men's Soccer overcomes the elements to defeat Seneca

By: Sara Poraria
Humber Athletics Communications

VAUGHAN - Critical weather conditions couldn't stop No. 2 Humber men's soccer from winning its 2021 home opener Wednesday night at the Ontario Soccer Centre. The defending provincial champions beat Seneca (1-1, 2nd Central) 4-2 to extend their unbeaten streak against the Sting to eight matches. Exosse Kadiebue and Leaford Allen led Humber's powerful offence, recording two tallies in the match, each.

With consistent rain dropping all afternoon, the Hawks came out strong and opened up the match with a goal in the eighth minute by rookie Exosse Kadiebue. Abdul Babawale beat a Seneca defender in the box, making a quick cross that found the left boot of Kadiebue, who buried his tip-in for his second goal of the season.

Less than ten minutes later, Federico Leal went for a sliding tackle after a Humber turnover when Seneca's Riley Ferrazzo's right boot struck Leal in the face. Ferrazzo was issued a straight red card, giving the Hawks a one-man advantage for the rest of the match.

Just before the break, a tackle in the box led to a penalty kick for Seneca. Marcus McGlynn was looking for his first goal of the year but Humber keeper Holger Xhameta had other plans. McGlynn's shot went to the far left side and Xhameta made a diving save and jumped on the rebound to preserve the clean sheet in the opening frame.

As the second half began, the sky opened up, unleashing a torrential downpour on the pitch. The slick field handicapped Humber, preventing the Hawks from using their speed to control the match. In the 63rd minute, Seneca was able to tie the match on another penalty kick. Adam Waithe recorded his league-high fourth goal of the season, beat Xhameta on the left side. The Hawks nearly retook the lead minutes later, but Luca Uccello's free-kick from outside the 18-yard box hit the crossbar and Humber was unable to clean up the rebound. 

With just over ten minutes remaining in the match, Osman Hussein's swing pass found a streaking Marcos Nunes whose crossing pass found the boot of Leaford Allen for a nice deflection to take a 2-1 lead.

Less than two minutes in regulation remained when Humber extended its lead to two. Kadiebue drove into the box and was stopped by the Seneca keeper twice, but the third time was the charm as the Toronto native recorded his second goal of the match.

Seneca responded with a goal in the 88th off of a free-kick outside the 18-yard box, but Humber wasn't done yet. In injury time, Uccello made a brilliant pass into the box that Kadiebue tips through the defender's legs to spring Leaford Allen for his second tally of the match. 

Humber Highlights

• The Hawks improve to 14-6-3 all-time against Seneca, including a 5-1-2 mark at home.
• Leaford Allen now has 16 career tallies in 10 regular-season matches. His 1.6 scoring average is the top mark in program history.
• Exosse Kadiebue and Marcos Nunes lead the team with three goals, each.
• Holger Xhameta made four saves to record his first career OCAA victory.
• Abdul Babawale's four assists are the most in the OCAA.

What's Next?

Humber will host George Brown on Sept. 29 at the Ontario Soccer Centre at 6:30 p.m. The match will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network.