No. 1 Men's Soccer rolls in home opener

By: Stefan Gerardi
Humber Athletics Communications

VAUGHAN – No. 1 Humber men's soccer won its home opener Wednesday afternoon against the Mohawk Mountaineers (0-4, 9th West), 7-0. The top-ranked collegiate team in the nation are on fire, posting their fourth straight win to start the 2022 season and retaining the top spot in the OCAA's west division. The Hawks dominated, preserving possession of the ball for almost the entirety of the 90-minute match. They finished with 30 shot attempts, 13 on target, and eight corner opportunities. Humber (4-0, 1st West) held Mohawk to zero shot attempts to record its second straight clean sheet. 

Match Highlights

Before the match began, an excited home crowd released blue and yellow flares to smear the afternoon sky in Humber colours, illustrating a picturesque scene in time for kick-off. Windy conditions at the Ontario Soccer Centre did not seem to faze the red-hot Hawks squad. Humber put immense pressure on the Mountaineers and fully controlled the match. 

The Hawks' offensive surge paid off in the 14th minute as the team leader in points, Luca Uccello, found the back of the net. Captian, Federico Leal, would find fifth-year veteran Uccello on a long through ball from midfield, and he would score the game's first goal. The two would connect again in the 17th minute on a low corner kick pass. Leal would find Uccello in the box, and he would make no mistake to bury his second of the match and bring his point total to seven on the season. 

In the 30th minute, Uccello would continue rolling, adding another point to his season stats with an assist. After retrieving the ball on a Humber free kick, Uccello would slide the ball to the centre of the box where two-time Canadian Premier League champion, Kadell Thomas, would record his second goal of the season. 

The 39th minute saw Humber extend its lead to four, taking advantage of a blunder by Mohawk's goalkeeper, Oliver Steinke, during a seemingly routine play. Steinke would misplay a bouncing pass from Federico Leal, and Kadell Thomas would sneak in behind Steinke to score his second of the game on an empty net. The Hawks would go into halftime leading the Mountaineers, 4-0. 

The beginning of the second half saw weather conditions worsen at the Ontario Soccer Centre. Although the sun was shining bright, the gusting winds were causing the ball to move unpredictably while in the air. However, the wind was no match for Hawks' Damion Kaye. He would swiftly control the ball into the box and break tackles from two Mohawk defensemen to put Humber up 5-0 in the 57th minute. This was the third-year forward's second goal in the 2022 season. 

After a Mohawk defender fouled Santiago Muniz in the box, Muniz was invited to step up for a penalty kick in the 69th minute. He capitalized on the opportunity as he struck the ball into the lower right corner of the net. Muniz's second career goal put the Hawks up by six with 21 minutes left in the match. 

The 80th minute saw Humber's captain, Federico Leal, work his magic on the pitch. His free kick from 12 yards out connected beautifully on his lace as he curled a rocket into the top-right corner of the net. The impressive free-kick goal was the fifth-year Ottawa native's first of the season and 13th goal of his career. 

Humber Highlights

• The Hawks improve to 24-5-7 against Mohawk at home and 29-6-7 all-time.
• Humber's seven tallies were the most at home since beating UTM 9-0 in 2016.
• Luca Uccello now sits third in the conference with 11 points - four tallies and three assists.
• Federico Leal's four assists are the most in the OCAA.
• Ezequiel Carrasco recorded his fourth clean sheet in six career matches.
• The Hawks extend their win streak to 12 consecutive matches.
• Humber's last home opener loss was to begin the 1996 OCAA season.

What's next?

No. 1 Humber will take on the Redeemer Royals (1-1-1, 5th West) on Sept. 24 at Tim's Hortons Field. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. The Hawks will return home on Oct. 1 for a re-match with St. Clair, at 2 p.m. That match will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network.