NORTH YORK, Ont. - The players slipped, slid and spent most of the night appearing they were trying to run on ice. Under cold and wet conditions, the Seneca Sting hosted the Mohawk Mountaineers in an OCAA quarter-final with a spot in the OCAA championship on the line. In the end, it was the Sting who made their lone goal early in the first half hold up as the Sting continue their pursuit for their first OCAA women's soccer championship since the 1995-96 season.

Off-and-on showers soaked the field for nearly 12 hours while temperatures steadily declined, reaching low single digits by kickoff. Despite Mother Nature exacting revenge for a mild September, operations staff worked wonders to ensure pristine playing conditions.

With the grass cut short and a field lined during a break in the rain showers, the only remaining signs of the earlier shower was some dirt used to dry up a small puddle which had formed on the south goal line. With that, the theatre was set for two of the hottest teams in the OCAA.

Seneca struck early with a goal in the third minute. Nicole Forbes, a four-goal scorer in the last Sting match, struck a shot from well outside the 18-yard box. With the slippery conditions, the ball took a bounce which eluded the Mountaineers goalkeeper to the elation of the home crowd.

The teams, despite playing in a win-or-go-home match, appeared hesitant at times as they continued to struggle with their footing. Divots flew as players made cuts while some struggled to stand after finding the wet ground. A number of infractions were called during the match for contact, with the slippery surface the root of most.

The Sting looked to add to their lead in the 21st minute when they were awarded a penalty shot when Forbes was pulled down in the box. The kick by Victoria Curci rung off of the left post and the game remained 1-0.

Chances continued to pile up for the Sting, but they were unable to expand their lead. Rita Keimakh broke between two defenders, but her shot sailed wide. Forbes, looking for her second marker, struck a shot which rattled off of the inside of the right post.

With time running out, Mohawk had their best opportunity of the match in injury time.  Their shot from 16 yards out found its way through the legs of goalkeeper Rachel Dorland, only to be cleared from danger by Hilda Chmait.

Source: Seneca College

NORTH YORK, Ont. - A goal by Nicole Forbes just three minutes into the game gave the home town Seneca Sting a 1-0 victory over the Mohawk Mountaineers in Ontario Colleges Athletic Association women's soccer quarter-final play in North York Saturday night (Oct. 19).

The victory gave Seneca a berth in the OCAA championship final four at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ont., Oct. 25-26.

"We played a great game against a very tough opponent," said Mountaineers co-head coach Michael Castellani. "They were undefeated in the regular season, and we certainly took it to them. The defence controlled the back beautifully, with Nicole Roberts playing an outstanding game in goal. Rachelle DeJong almost had the equalizer in the last two minutes of the game. The whole team came to play despite the cold and rain and a water logged field."

The season was a triumph for Mountaineer soccer finishing with a 4-3-1 record plus a playoff win.  "It's the first time in a few years that we marked a winning season," noted Castellani. "With a large number of players returning next year Mohawk will be in great shape to make a return to the OCAAs."

Source: Mohawk College