No. 5 Women's Soccer defeats Niagara in extra time to earn spot in finals

By: Stefan Gerardi
Humber Athletics Communications

OSHAWA – No. 5 Humber women's soccer defeated the Niagara Knights to advance to the OCAA gold medal match, 3-2. The entertaining matchup saw five goals scored between the sides, and extra time was needed to crown a victor. Humber scored late twice – once in regulation to tie the game and the other coming late in extra time to guarantee a win. The win automatically puts the Hawks in the 2022 CCAA national championship tournament in Montreal in two weeks.

Match Recap

Looking for their first OCAA finals appearance since 2018, the Humber Hawks were ready to face the Niagara Knights at Vaso's Field. The Hawks knew they were in store for a challenge against Niagara as the Knights were one of only three teams Humber could not defeat this season. 

The game kicked off with both squads evenly matched up; however, a defensive lapse from the Knights in the 16th minute allowed the Hawks' leading goal scorer, Kaitlynn Russell, to break the scoreless draw and put her team ahead 1-0. The Mississauga native secured the ball behind the Knights' defensive core off of a pass from Chantel Spalla and found the bottom right corner of the net for her second goal of the postseason. 

The remainder of the half was tightly contested by both sides, and no other goals were scored. The first half ended in a 1-0 Humber lead. The Hawks had three shot attempts, with their only attempt on target finding the back of the net. Niagara had two shot attempts, with both coming on the net; however, Hawks' goalkeeper Isabella Bernardi was lights out, making two saves. 

Niagara notched the game at one in the 55th minute after the Hawks mistakenly knocked the ball into their own net off a Knights' corner from Natasha Desjardins.

Humber continued to dominate the run of play but couldn't find the back of the net to retake the lead. A Humber header found the crossbar and another just missing the net kept the match tied at one. The momentum swung in the 86th minute when the Knights took the lead on another shaky corner kick, this time; it was Niagara's Sydney Sica who put her team ahead 2-1. 

In stoppage time, Kaitlynn Russell was taken down and fouled just outside the 18-yard box. With Elisa Oliveira stepping up to take the free kick, the nervous Hawks squad watched as the most critical play of their season was about to unfold. Oliveira smashed a rocket off her boot that found the top corner of the net, knotting the game 2-2 and sending the match to extra time. 

Humber's offensive momentum continued into extra time. The Hawks controlled play for much of the first extra-time half but could not capitalize on their chances, leaving the match tied at two after the first overtime frame. With Niagara on their heels in the second extra-time half, déjà vu occurred as Kaitlynn Russell was taken down just outside Niagara's box, and Elisa Oliveira stepped up to take the free kick. This time, the ball was stopped by Knights goalkeeper Sierra Naccarato; however, she left a juicy rebound in front of the goal that Russell buried to secure the Hawks' win. 

The Hawks potted three goals on ten-shot attempts, with seven coming on target. Isabella Bernardi made four saves for Humber and picked up her third postseason win. 

Humber Highlights

• The Hawks will return to the OCAA Final for the first time since 2018
• Humber's win versus Niagara marks the first time they have won a semifinal appearance in extra time without needing penalty kicks.
• Humber clinched their first nationals berth since 2012.
• The Hawks improve to 14-6 all-time in the semifinal round.
• Russell has recorded 12 tallies in 13 matches this season.

What's next?

No. 5 Humber will take on No. 2 Seneca for the OCAA gold medal on Oct. 30 at Vaso's Field. Kick-off is set for 3 p.m.