Late game heroics helps No. 15 Women's Soccer capture OCAA bronze

LONDON – No. 15 Humber women's soccer rallied from behind Saturday afternoon to capture the 2021 OCAA bronze medal. Rookie Kaitlynn Russell buried two goals for the Hawks, including the overtime winner, as Humber upset No. 3 Seneca, 3-2.

Coming off of a gut-wrenching semifinal loss to No. 9 Fanshawe, Humber's four-season medal streak was in jeopardy. The Sting had won the previous three meetings against the Hawks and got on the board first Alessia Da unloaded a curling shot from outside the box to beat a diving Vanessa Fiore in the 19th minute.

Despite the early tally, Fiore continued to keep the Hawks in the match, making five saves in the opening 45 minutes, letting Humber go into the break only trailing by one.

Humber got on the board in the 69th minute when Elisa Oliveira played a quick corner kick to Kaitlynn Russell. Russell fired a quick shot from outside the 18-yard box, beating the Fanshawe keeper on the short side for the equalizer.

Less than fifteen minutes later, a turnover at half sprung Shanice Alfred on a break. Vanessa Fiore made an incredible diving save on Alfred but Alessia Da was left alone in the box to bang home the rebound, retaking the lead for Sting with six minutes left.

With time running out and already playing into added time, Hayley Lewis made an outlet pass to Russell that gave the rookie a chance at the equalizer. Turning the corner on her defender, Russell was taken down in the box and Humber was awarded a penalty kick.

With Humber's medal hopes on the line, senior Giulia Zanardi stepped to the spot, burying her shot to the far side of the net, tying the match, 2-2.

With six minutes remaining before heading to penalty kicks, Kaitlynn Russell was fouled in the corner, awarding the Hawks a free-kick. Senior Breanna Senfner curled a beautiful ball into the net that was kept out but the rebound found the boot of Russell, who buried her second of the match. The Hawks were able to hold on, winning the OCAA bronze medal.

Rebecca Spratt was named the player of the match, while Kaitlynn Russell was named to the championship all-tournament team.

Humber Highlights

• The Hawks have captured an OCAA medal in five consecutive seasons – three silver, two bronze.
• Humber improves to 6-3 all-time in the bronze medal match.
• Vanessa Fiore finishes her career with 13 wins and nine clean sheets in the postseason, both program records.
• Seniors Giulia Zanardi, Rebecca Spratt, and Vanessa Fiore conclude their OCAA careers with five OCAA medals in five seasons.
• Zanardi finishes with 10 OCAA postseason tallies, tying Hall of Famer Keyla Moreno for second-most all-time in program history.
• Under head coach Mauro Ongaro, the Hawks are 53-20 all-time in the OCAA postseason.
• The Hawks improve to 2-3 this season against nationally-ranked opponents.

What's Next?

Hosting the 2021 CCAA National Championship, the Hawks will open the tournament against No. 2 SAIT Trojans on November 10. Kick-off is set for 3 p.m. and will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network.