Late tally forces No. 4 Women's Soccer to draw with Mohawk

By: Stefan Gerardi
Humber Athletics Communications

VAUGHAN – No. 4 Humber women's soccer (3-0-1, 1st West) battled to a draw in the 2022 home opener Wednesday night against Mohawk, 1-1. The Hawks' three-match win streak came to an end with the draw, leaving them with a 3-0-1 record and still the only team in the west division without a loss. The match was an entertaining one with great offensive pressure and defensive assertiveness from both sides, as well as physical altercations that led to five yellow cards. 

Match Highlights

As the dusk sky shed hues of pink and orange over Humber's home pitch at the Ontario Soccer Centre, the woman's soccer team was ready to take on Mohawk in front of their fans. The only issue of the night was the wind which was a hot topic in the men's game earlier in the afternoon. 

Just as the men's team had no problem getting on the board with the wind, their female counterparts followed suit. Second-year forward Kaitlynn Russell came out of the gates hot for Humber, scoring a goal in the sixth minute as she lobbed the ball over the Mohawk goalkeeper, Samantha DeHaan. Russell effortlessly controlled a through ball in the box from Catarina Medeiros to pot her fifth goal in four games for Humber, giving the Hawks an early 1-0 lead. 

Russell's tally would be the only goal scored in the first half. Humber dominated the half statistically with six shot attempts and three shots on goal to Mohawk's zero. However, the Hawks got into foul trouble as they committed 11 in the half, with yellow cards given to Chantal Spalla and Catarina Medeiros. This allowed the Mountaineers to control possession for a decent amount in the combative first half, yet, Humber's strong defence was able to stave off the opposition's offensive pressure. 

The scrappiness continued in the second half, with tensions flaring as Emily Robitaille would pick up Humber's third yellow card in the 72nd minute. Robitaille tackled a Mohawk forward hard in her end, leading to pushing and shoving on both sides. Eight minutes later, Mohawk midfielder Sylvia Sokacz and Humber defender Remi Pelletier would get tangled up, leading to another physical clash and yellow cards for both players. The conflict led to nothing more than a free kick but lit a fire under the Mountaineers' squad. 

Mohawk would tie the game up in the 87th minute after a sloppy defensive transition by the Hawks. A cross into the box allowed Alyssa Glasbergen plenty of time to tie the game on Mohawk's first shot on goal with time running out. 

The Hawks finished the match with 11 shot attempts, five coming on the net and one corner opportunity.

Humber Highlights 

• Through 17 career matches, Kaitlynn Russell now sits eighth all-time in scoring with 23 goals, two behind Hall of Famer Adriana Cataldo.
• The Hawks extend their unbeaten streak at home to 18 of their last 19 matches.
• Humber improves to 20-7-5 all-time against the Mountaineers.

What's next?

No. 1 Humber will take on the Redeemer Royals (0-1-2, 6th West) on Sept. 24 at Tim's Hortons Field. Kickoff is slated for noon. The Hawks will return home on Oct. 1 for a re-match with St. Clair, at 4:30 p.m. That match will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network.