No. 1 Men's soccer falls to No. 8 Conestoga to earn OCAA silver medal
By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications
OTTAWA – No. 1 Humber men's soccer (13-1, 1st West) captured its ninth OCAA silver medal after falling to the No. 8 Conestoga Condors (12-2, 2nd West) 2-0 in Sunday's championship match at Algonquin Sports Field.
The Hawks trailed for the first time this season and couldn't claw back. This marked the first time Humber was held scoreless since October 2023, and notably, Conestoga is the only program to defeat the Hawks in the past five years.
Humber now turns its attention to the 2025 CCAA Men's Soccer Championship. The Hawks will travel to Saint-Lambert, Que., from Nov. 5 to 8, looking to capture the program's 11th national title.
Match recap
The West Division returned to the top of the OCAA podium as familiar foes met again. The Humber Hawks and the Conestoga Condors clashed in the championship final for the second time in three years.
The Condors, whose only losses this season came against Humber, entered with renewed confidence after upsetting the host Algonquin Wolves in the semifinals. For the Hawks, it was another shot at history and a chance to avenge their last taste of defeat, which came at the hands of Conestoga in the 2023 OCAA final.
With both teams already bound for nationals, this one was purely about proving who truly rules Ontario.
After Humber and Conestoga traded possession early on, the Hawks found themselves trailing for the first time this season. In the 12th minute, Ricardo Alvarado sent a cross into the box, and Luca Romano outjumped his marker to head home the opener, giving Conestoga an early lead.
Playing from behind the first time this year, the Hawks looked rushed and couldn't convert their chances. Their best opportunity came in the 36th minute when Riviere was brought down inside the box.
Mella stepped up to take the penalty but struck the right post. After the missed chance, the Hawks ramped up the pressure, but the first half ended with Conestoga still ahead 1-0.
Humber's hopes of a comeback took an early hit after the restart. Just three minutes into the half, the Condors displayed sharp chemistry in the midfield, connecting quick passes that ended with Marko Lesic doubling the lead.
The deficit began to expose cracks in Humber's game. The Hawks looked out of rhythm and couldn't generate much threat going forward.
Humber dropped the gold medal match 2-0, but secured the program's ninth provincial medal and first since 2023.
Player of the Match
Tournament All-Star
Game Notes
- The Condors are the only team to defeat the Hawks in the past five years.
- This marks the first time Humber has been held scoreless since October 2023.
- The loss ends Humber's 28-game winning streak, which dated back to September 2024.
- The Hawks boast 29 provincial medals, of which 16 are gold, nine silver and four bronze.
- Humber holds a 32-4-4 all-time record against Conestoga.
- The Condors narrow Humber's edge in OCAA postseason play to 4-3.
- The Hawks have won 13 of the last 16 meetings against the Condors.
- Humber owns a 78-22 all-time record in the OCAA postseason.
- Franz Mela finishes the OCAA postseason ranked second all-time in postseason goals for Humber, with 11.
What's Next?
No. 1 Humber will now travel to Saint-Lambert, Que., for the 2025 CCAA Men's Soccer Championship, hosted by the No. 6 Champlain Saint-Lambert Cavaliers. The national tournament runs from Nov. 5 to 8, and fans can watch the Humber Hawks live through the CCAA pay-per-view platform.
The Hawks will look to defend their national crown and capture the 11th CCAA title in program history.
