TORONTO - The second round of the Ontario Colleges Athletic
Association (OCAA) men's soccer playoffs takes place this weekend,
with a berth to the OCAA championship at stake.
Winners of last weekend's qualifying rounds will visit the first
or second place teams in the opposite division for the opportunity
to advance. Host teams should be cautious, however, as all four
road teams won their respective qualifiers.
Last season, the OCAA West earned divisional bragging rights,
qualifying for all four semifinal spots and sweeping the
medals.
Men's soccer teams in the province have added incentive this year
as the OCAA is sending two representatives to the national
championship in November. Each remaining OCAA team is now two wins
away from that prestigious tournament.
The 2012 OCAA Men's Soccer Championship takes place at Redeemer
University College in Ancaster, Ont. from Oct. 26-27.
Durham (4-2-3, 5th East) at St. Clair (6-1-1, 1st
West)
Saturday, Oct. 20 - 2 p.m.
The St. Clair Saints advanced to the OCAA semifinals last season,
only to be shut out of the medals.
Perhaps that was the motivation that drove it this season, as St.
Clair soared to an OCAA West championship, going undefeated in its
last seven games.
Offensively, fourth-year forward Brian Santos
(Leamington) and first-year teammate Gabriel
Poulino (Windsor) combined for 15 goals during the regular
season, making them the most lethal offensive combination in the
league.
Durham is also undefeated in its last seven games. The Lords won
at Cambrian in the qualifying round, going scoreless for 120
minutes before winning on penalty kicks.
First-year striker Marco Trotta (Oshawa) was the
top scorer on the Lords during the regular season with four goals.
The Lords have not advanced to the OCAA semifinals since 1999.
Sheridan (5-2-2, 5th West) at Algonquin (5-0-3, 1st
East)
Saturday, Oct. 20 - 3 p.m.
Similar to their female counterparts, Algonquin is the only OCAA team that is undefeated in 2012 as it won the OCAA East championship.
Third-year midfielder Ryan Brousseau (Dunrobin) led all Thunder players scoring three goals during the regular season.
Algonquin has not advanced to the semifinals since winning six straight OCAA titles from 2004 to 2009.
Two-time defending OCAA silver medalist Sheridan enters the quarter-finals on a four-game win streak, having gone undefeated in six straight matches. Sheridan defeated reigning bronze medalist Conestoga 3-2 on the road in the qualifying round.
The Bruins present a double offensive threat in fifth-year player Johnathan Costa (Mississauga) and first-year teammate Kelechi Ebuta (Scarborough). Each scored five goals during the regular season.
Mohawk (4-4-0, 6th West) at Seneca (5-1-2, 2nd
East)
Sunday, Oct. 21 - 3 p.m.
The Seneca Sting take a seven-game unbeaten streak into their
quarter-final meeting with Mohawk. The game is a rematch of the
2010 OCAA bronze medal game, won by Seneca 2-1.
Seneca had a couple of first-year players shared the team lead in
goals during the regular season. Malven Francis
(Pickering) and Casey Marksman (Toronto) scored
three goals each.
Mohawk rebounded from an earlier 8-1 loss in its regular season
meeting with Fanshawe to blank the Falcons 1-0 in the qualifying
round. The Mountaineers won the game on penalty kicks.
Mohawk had issues on the defensive side of the pitch during the
regular season, allowing a league-worst 21 goals among playoff
teams. Offensively, fifth-year midfielder Matthew
Kernick (Dundas) and first-year defender Patryk
Korbut (Barrie) led the team with three goals each.
Mohawk plays its home games at Redeemer. With one more victory,
the Mountaineers will have home field advantage at the
championship.
Fleming (4-5-0, 6th East) at Humber (6-2-0, 2nd
West)
Sunday, Oct. 21 - 3:30 p.m.
Two-time defending OCAA champion Humber gave up the least number
of goals in the regular season, allowing just four. Two of those,
however, came in 1-0 home losses to St. Clair and Sheridan.
First-year winger Marcos Nunes (Brampton) and
third-year midfielder Matthew Rios (Toronto) led
the Hawks in regular season goals, each scoring three times. Humber
has won three of its last four matches
Fleming needed wins in its regular season finale and qualifier to
advance to the quarter-finals. First-year midfielder
Cameron Gilmore's (Newcastle) goal was the
difference in a 1-0 win over Centennial in the opening playoff
round.
Fleming has not advanced to the OCAA semifinals since 1997.
- OCAA -
ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized
leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to
student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 30 members
sponsoring 16 league and tournament championships.
For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com