Women’s Soccer blanks Conestoga on seniors day

By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications

VAUGHAN – Humber women's soccer (5-2-2, 3^rd West) bounced back into the win column on Wednesday afternoon after shutting out the Conestoga Condors (4-4-1, 5^th West) with a commanding 4-0 victory at the Vaughan Grove Park.

Before kickoff, as part of a long-standing tradition, the Hawks took a moment to celebrate their graduating players in their final regular-season home game. Goalkeeper Isabella Bernardi and star forward Chantel Spalla were honoured for their memorable years with the program.

Match recap

This matchup carried major playoff implications for both the Humber Hawks and the Conestoga Condors. With just two regular-season games remaining and nearly identical records, a win in this head-to-head clash could secure a third-place finish in the standings and a potentially smoother path in the playoff qualifying round.

From the opening whistle, it was clear that both teams shared the same approach. Both Humber and Conestoga were trying to control possession, but neither side was able to connect that final pass needed to create dangerous chances.

For much of the opening stretch, possession shifted between the two sides in the midfield.

At 16 minutes, as the Condors calmly circulated the ball in their defensive half, Kaylese Callender read the play perfectly and intercepted a pass just outside the 18-yard box. Callender dribbled past the keeper before tapping it in to open the scoring for Humber.

The Hawks doubled their lead ten minutes later after working the ball deep in the attacking zone. Micayla Santaguida found Elisa Oliveira on the right flank, who delivered a brilliant one-touch pass that sliced through the defensive line to find Chantel Spalla making a run into the box. The captain buried it for her third goal of the season.

Humber kept the pressure on until the halftime whistle.

Barely two minutes after the restart, the Hawks picked up right where they left off.

Rookie Mikayla Orrico displayed some fancy footwork on the left wing, dancing past a defender before unleashing a left-footed rocket into the top left corner. The ball glanced off the fingertips of Skylar Morales and found the back of the net, extending Humber's lead to 3-0.

The early second-half goal seemed to stun the Condors. The visiting team struggled to regain their rhythm and managed just one shot in the final 45 minutes, and its troubles were far from over.

In the 79^th minute, Sofia Aguiar chased down a ball on the left flank, cut inside and delivered a precise cross to Mia Lavorato, who was alone in the box. Lavorato took a touch to settle the ball before calmly placing it past the keeper to make it 4-0 Humber.

The referee's final whistle sealed the victory for the Hawks.

Rookie Mikayla Orrico was named the Player of the Game, making an immediate impact off the bench with a crucial second-half goal — her third of the season.

Humber Highlights

• Humber improves to 24-1-2 all-time against Conestoga.
• The Hawks hold a near-perfect 11-1-1 all-time record at home against the Condors.
• In all-time meetings, Humber has outscored Conestoga 92-8.
• The Hawks boast a 23-1-1 all-time record against the Condors in regular-season matches.
• Isabella Bernardi tops the OCAA with just one goal conceded and a 0.29 goal-against average.
• Elisa Oliveira leads Humber with four assists this season.

What's Next?

The Hawks will close out the regular season next Saturday, Oct. 11, against the Sheridan Bruins (2-6-1, 8^th West). The match is scheduled for 12 p.m.