WINDSOR, Ont. - The final four men's soccer teams in the OCAA wrapped up championship play on Saturday at the St. Clair Sportspark with the medal games.
In the bronze medal game the No. 10 nationally ranked Seneca Sting (7-2-1, 2nd Central) defeated the St. Clair Saints (6-4, 2nd West) by a score of 4-2. The Sting got off to a great start in the match when Aaron Toniolo put one into the back of the net in the third minute. Shortly after that Zac Zitoli scored a nice goal in the 12 minute to make it 2-0. It wasn't must longer after that Seneca built their lead to 3-0 on a goal by Rashad Griffith in the 18th minute. St. Clair settled down after that and had a couple of great chances throughout the rest of the half. The Saints finally got on the board when Mateo Grahovac scored on a penalty kick in the 43rd minute after Massimo Pollard was taken down in box. The shot attempts for the half were even with seven for each team.
St. Clair came out hard in the second half and made it 3-2 for Seneca when Evan Mendonca bulged the twine from in close in the 50th minute. The Saints had a couple great chance to tie the game but both shots missed the target over the next 15 minutes of play. The Sting got their two goal lead back in the 68th minute on a nice goal by Nick Spittle after Saints keeper Thomas Kogel made a great save on the original shot. St. Clair pressed hard for the remainder of the game but could not score again as Seneca held on for the bronze medals. Total shot attempts for the game were dead even with 15 for both squads. Kogel made six saves for the Saints while Anthony Gurrieri made eight for the Sting.
Spittle was named the Player of the Match for Seneca and Mendonca for St. Clair. Austin Severino from the Saints and Atif Ali from the Sting were named Championship All-Stars. St. Clair keeper Kogel won the Championship Fair Play award for his outstanding sportsmanship and attitude throughout the event.
The tournament wrapped up with No. 1 nationally ranked Humber (8-0-1, 1st Central) taking down George Brown (5-5, 3rd Central) by a score of 4-0. George Brown got off to a great start with a couple of good chances early but Humber keeper Holger Xhameta made a couple of big saves. Humber took the lead in the 19th minute on a great header by Leaford Allen. The Huskies had some chances to tie the game before the end of the half but could not get equalizer.
The Hawks jumped all over the Huskies to start the second half when Allan scored is second of the game and fifth of the tournament in the 46th minute. Shortly after that Exosse Kadiebue made it 3-0 in the 49th minute of play. George Brown had several chance to narrow the margin but could not buy a goal. Humber put the game away in the 72nd minute on a tally by Abdul Babawale. George Brown had 19 shot attempts in the game while Humber had 15.
Xhameta was named the Player of the Match for the Hawks while Steve Knezevic was the George Brown Player of the Match. George Brown's Yonis Jama and Aubrey Lowe were named Championship All-Stars along with Humber's Michael Fayehun. Humber's Allen earned Championship Most Valuable Player recognition.
The gold medal is Humber's third consecutive men's soccer Championship.
Humber and George Brown have both qualified for the CCAA Nationals in Calgary being hosted by SAIT November 10-13.
All Championship news, webcasts and up-to-date results can be found on the 2021 men's soccer Championship website: https://ocaachampionships.com/championships/msoc/2021-22/index.
Source: St. Clair Saints
- OCAA -
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