FLEMING 3, DURHAM 1

OSHAWA, Ont. - The Durham College men's soccer team had their season cut short on Saturday as the Fleming Knights earned a 3-1 road victory in the opening round of the OCAA playoffs.

The Lords earned home field advantage after finishing in fourth place in the OCAA East region, but Fleming would be the team to advance as they scored three consecutive goals to sink the Lords.

Durham would open up scoring in the 13th minute when Luke Morrison headed in a perfectly placed free kick by Marco Trotta. Unfortunately for the green and gold, that is all of the offence they would generate as Fleming keeper Godson Amanwah shut the door the remainder of the game.

The Lords would dominate possession in the first half until the final minutes, when Richie Khasow left the game with an injury. The Knights would score beck-to-back goals over a two-minute stretch to take a surprising 2-1 lead into halftime.

Jacob Miller scored the Knights first goal on a second effort shot, as he beat goalkeeper Michael Ashfield after he made the initial save and Durham's defence was unable to clear it from trouble. In the 40th minute, Oshane Hilton would score off a free kick from just outside the box, blasting it through the Durham wall and into the bottom right corner.

In the 67th minute, Fleming added some insurance as Joey Penello scored off another rebound. Durham's defence looked flat as Penello was able to put the Knights ahead by two-goals.

Hylton anchored the Fleming defence, as he limited Durham's chances in the box. Durham's Daniel Sukovski had the Lords best chance in the second half to score in the 81st minute off a free kick, but Amanwah made a nice save and did not allow a rebound.

Fleming advances to the quarter-finals where they will take on the Humber Hawks who won the OCAA West region championship. Durham finishes the year with a 6-3-1 overall record, as they look forward to the indoor season which starts in January.

Source: Durham College

Photo Credit: Al Fournier