TORONTO – Their time at the top of the rankings will be short-lived for now. The Seneca Sting, the top team in the latest Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association's rankings, fell 3-0 to the visiting Fleming Knights on Wednesday night.

Fleming opened the scoring in the ninth minute on a goal by Hazisavvas-Rogers Tristen. Tristen benefited from a misplayed ball from the Sting keeper, who saw the ball squeeze between his hands right to Tristen.

The goal shocked the home fans who were expecting another win for the home team against the .500 Knights. What transpired over the next 25 minute was even more shocking.

In the 22nd minute, Fleming added to their lead when they were awarded a free kick. Oshane Hylton struck a perfect kick from 25 yards out past Sting keeper Jake Martin (Newmarket) to the elation of his teammates and traveling fans.

It was clearly not the same motivated Seneca team who defeated local rival, the Centennial Colts, on Sunday afternoon. This Sting team was outplayed badly for the first 30 minutes, generating few scoring opportunities while allowing chances in their own end.

The Knights looked to add to their lead in the 27th minute, but Martin was able to stop a point-blank opportunity from Jacob Miller to keep his team in the match. It would not be enough as the Knights added to their lead in the 33rd minute. Miller got the best of Martin in their second encounter, firing home a hard shot from the left of Martin following a near breakaway by Jamie Gilmore.

Seneca generated chances over the final 55 minutes of the match, but were not able to put one on the scoreboard. The Sting did have a goal called off in the 56th minute when Malven Francis was called offside following a Knights giveaway which deflected back to Francis off of a Sting teammate.

The loss is the second on the season for the Sting, who must now earn at least a tie in their final match of the regular season, or hope for some help, in order to host a crossover match. In saying that, the Sting can also still earn the top seed in the East, but would need a lot of help. For now, the match was just one loss, but the Sting are running out of time before one loss will mean the end of their season.

The Sting host the Durham Lords in their regular season finale on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. The Knights will travel to play Centennial on Saturday 3 p.m.

Source: Seneca College