No. 1 Men’s Soccer clinches 27th OCAA division title

By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications

VAUGHAN – The Humber Hawks men's soccer program made its OCAA debut over 50 years ago, in 1974. Their fifth-ever match was against the Conestoga Condors on home turf. Since that day, the Hawks have never lost to the Condors at home.

Wednesday afternoon was no exception. No. 1 Humber (9-0, 1^st West) defeated No. 7 Conestoga (7-2, 2^nd West) with a 1-0 victory, improving to a 15-0-1 all-time home record against the Condors, outscoring them 71-6 in those meetings. With the win, the Hawks clinched the OCAA West Division title for the 27^th time in program history.

The Hawks also took the opportunity to celebrate their senior players, who suited up for their final regular-season game in front of their home crowd. Seniors Isaiah Noel and Luca Pinto close out their Humber careers with an outstanding resume: two CCAA national championships, two OCAA provincial championships and one OCAA silver medal.

Match recap

The Hawks welcomed the Conestoga Condors with history heavily on Humber's side. Since their very first meeting in 1974, the Hawks have never lost to Conestoga. Riding a perfect 8-0 record this season, Humber stands among an elite group of just five undefeated collegiate teams across the country.

For the Condors, a win in Vaughan would rewrite history and provide the statement victory they need heading into the postseason.

Conestoga came out sharp and composed, determined to flip the script by pressing Humber high from the opening whistle. The Condors moved the ball with quick passes and connected their offence well through the midfield, creating the match's first chances.

The Hawks struggled to find their rhythm and found themselves pressed against the wall in the opening 20 minutes.

The Condors maintained their pressure throughout the first half, but Humber's Amar Dhindsa kept the score level with two sprawling stops in the 36^th and 37^th minutes.

Coming out of the half-time break, the Hawks knew that the opening minutes would be crucial in their bid to secure the division title.

At 48 minutes, Matias Lescano whipped in a corner into the box. A Conestoga defender mistimed the header, and senior Isaiah Noel was there to capitalize, smashing a one-touch strike into the bottom right corner.

The tally helped Humber settle into their rhythm and take control of possession. The Condors continued to press, but the Hawks' defence stood firm to secure the victory.

In the dying minutes of the match, Amar Dhindsa was subbed off with an injury. Danial Sanei came into the match, and in the third minute of added time, made a sprawling save to his left to ensure the victory fro the Hawks.

With the win, the Hawks have captured their 27^th OCAA West Division title in program history.

Senior Isaiah Noel was named the Player of the Game, scoring the match's decisive lone goal that secured Humber the division title.

Humber Highlights

• The Hawks improve to 32-3-4 all-time against the Condors.
• Humber has never lost to Conestoga at home, boasting a 15-0-1 record since 1974.
• The Hawks have conceded only six goals in 17 home matches against the Condors throughout program history, while scoring 71.
• Humber holds a 28-2-4 all-time record against Conestoga in regular-season matches.
• The Hawks have clinched the OCAA West Division for the 27^th time in program history.
• Humber is one of just five undefeated collegiate teams across the country, alongside No. 3 Medicine Hat College (ACAC), No. 14 NAIT Ooks (ACAC), No. 12 Champlain Saint-Lambert Cavaliers (RSEQ), No. 5 UKC Blue Devils (ACAA) and the No. 4 Seneca Sting (OCAA).
• Amar Dhindsa leads the OCAA with a perfect 100 per cent save percentage.

What's Next?

Top-ranked Humber has one final match before the postseason begins. The Hawks will head to Oakville to take on the Sheridan Bruins (5-2-2, 4^th West) on Saturday, Oct. 11. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.