PREVIEW: Top-ranked Men's Soccer hosts St. Lawrence to open 2025 postseason
By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications
ETOBICOKE – No. 1 Humber men's soccer (10-0, 1st West) will kick off its OCAA postseason campaign on Wednesday, Oct. 15, when the Hawks host the qSt. Lawrence Surge (2-8, 8th East) at Vaughan Grove Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
The reigning national and provincial champions are chasing their 17th OCAA title in program history and looking to carry the same consistency that defined their flawless regular season into the playoffs.
While the Hawks' offence was quieter than in previous seasons, they were the only team in the OCAA to finish the campaign with a perfect 10-0 record, which included a commanding 10-0 win against the Lambton Lions on Sept. 6. Nationally, Humber stands among just five collegiate teams across Canada to remain undefeated this year.
The Hawks were anchored by a disciplined defence, finishing first in the West Division for the 27th time in program history and allowing a league-low four goals all season. Humber led the OCAA with seven shutout victories.
2025 highlights
- Cristiano Candelaresi led the Hawks in scoring with five goals during the regular season.
- Seven players recorded at least five points, with Candelaresi, Luca Pinto, and Tariq Joseph tied for the team lead with 10 points each.
- Pinto was Humber's top playmaker, finishing with four assists, ranking sixth in the OCAA.
- Between the posts, goalkeeper Danial Sanei kept the Hawks steady, recording 20 saves across the regular season.
- Keeper Amar Dhindsa posted a perfect 100 per cent save rate over six appearances — the best mark in the OCAA.
- Offensively, Humber ranked fourth in the league in goals scored (32) and second in assists (21).
- Defensively, the Hawks tied with Conestoga for the fewest goals conceded (four) and led the OCAA with seven shutouts.
- Humber officially retired Humber legend and Hall of Famer Germain Sanchez's jersey in recognition of his contributions to the program.
Scouting the St. Lawrence Surge
The St. Lawrence Surge are searching for their first OCAA medal since capturing bronze back in 1978. Despite making several recent playoff appearances, the Surge have exited in the qualifying round in each of the past two seasons.
The Surge started the season with a commanding 9-0 win over the Fleming Phoenix, but then, things went from bad to worse, as the team managed to secure just one more victory to close the regular season at 2-8, clinching the last playoff spot in the East Division.
St. Lawrence has struggled defensively, ranking fourth in the OCAA for goals allowed, conceding an average of 2.8 goals per match.
However, the Surge still boast bright spots. Goalkeeper Luka Obatrov ranked third in the league with 58 saves, which is more than the total saves of 15 other teams in the league. Midfielder Caleb Kehler also impressed, sitting third in the OCAA with five assists.
Humber can expect a very physical style of play from St. Lawrence, reflected in their league-leading 31 yellow cards.
At the helm
Leading the Hawks this year is first-year head coach Jason Mesa, the first former Humber player to lead the Hawks from the sidelines.
Mesa made an immediate impact, becoming the first head coach in program history to record a perfect regular season in his debut year. This is a feat not achieved by even Humber's legendary coaches Germain Sanchez and Michael Aquino.
While Mesa is seeking his first OCAA championship as a head coach, he is already a five-time OCAA champion as a player in both outdoor and indoor competition.
By the numbers
- The Hawks are the most successful program in OCAA men's soccer history with 16 provincial titles. Algonquin follows with nine, Durham with eight and Mohawk with five.
- Humber boasts a 75-21 all-time OCAA postseason record, losing only once in the past six seasons.
- Humber and St. Lawrence have only met twice in OCAA competition. The Hawks have the upper hand with a 2-0 record all-time.
- Humber enters the playoffs with a 25-game win streak dating back to September 2024.
- The Hawks' last loss came in the 2023 OCAA final against the Conestoga Condors.
- Humber is 4-0 all-time in the crossover round, outscoring its opponents 23-2.
Postseason schedule
- Qualifying round: Humber vs. St. Lawrence Surge on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 3 p.m.
- Quarterfinals: Saturday, Oct. 18. vs. TBD
- The OCAA Final Four will be hosted by the highest remaining seed after the quarter-final round, with matches running from Oct. 23 to 26.
Watch live
All Humber Hawks home matches will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network. Away games can be streamed live on OCAA Live. Follow @HumberHawks on Instagram and Humber Varsity on Facebook for scores and updates.
