WELLAND, Ont. - Sunday, Oct. 6 saw the Niagara College men's soccer program officially qualify for the OCAA playoffs as the team defeated the Lambton Lions by a score of 4-0. The Knights received an outstanding individual effort from Pickering native Austin MacDonell, who recorded a hat trick in the contest.

After the match Knights' head coach Frank DeChellis commented, "We feel very good right now. We've made difficult decisions to rest the right guys at the right time and, at this point in time, we are looking to head into the playoffs healthy."

DeChellis continued, "The guys know that they are in a program that has incredible institutional support and they want to make a name for themselves. Their attitude and effort at training reflects this."

Welland native Kevin Charrois received his first start in goal for the Knights. The towering keeper is a graduate of Jean Vanier. Charrois gave way to veteran goalkeeper Mike Norsworthy in the closing minutes, and the two combined for the shutout victory.

The Lions held the Knights off the score sheet until the 33 minute mark when the second-year MacDonell converted on a set up by first-year centre midfielder and St. Catharines native Jordi Amores.

The two would provide nearly a carbon copy of the goal 12 minutes later as the Knights went up 2-0.

First-year forward Carlos Williams put the Knights up by three in the 65th minute finishing on a nearly perfect set-up by Kyle Sheppard (Brampton). Williams, a native of St. Catharines, finished the 2013 regular season with a team-high five goals.

MacDonell, a second-year fitness and health promotion student, would complete the hat trick in the 90th minute with a header off the foot of first-year defender Jesse Derwinski.

MacDonell is a graduate of Pickering High School and has been a difference maker for the Knights all season, utilizing his tremendous speed and field vision to serve as the Knights primary set-up man during the 2013 campaign.

The Knights finished the 2013 regular season with a record of 3-3-2 and in fifth place in the competitive OCAA West Division.

The Niagara College men's soccer program will now face the St. Clair Saints in an OCAA playoff qualifying match. The two teams last met on Sept. 22 and played to an emotional 1-1 draw. The match saw six total caution cards issued, including two disqualifications.

The match will be played on Oct. 12 at 4 p.m. at the United Credit Union Complex in Amherstburg, Ont.

Source: Niagara College