Women's Soccer punches ticket to OCAA final four

By: Nina Kersnik
Humber Athletics Communications

OTTAWA – On a cool but windy day at Algonquin Sports Field, Humber women's soccer (2-0-0) soared past the Algonquin Wolves (1-1-0) on Saturday afternoon, 2-0. Kaylese Callendar was the difference maker for the Hawks, scoring the game-winning goal and getting an assist. The win sends the Hawks to the OCAA final four for the ninth consecutive season.

Match recap

Despite the cool temperature, the Hawks came in red-hot after their 6-2 win against Cambrian in the qualifying round. 

Right from kick-off, the Hawks' offence started off strong, pressuring Algonquin back into their own zone. But both sides would go back and forth for the first 13 minutes of the game, until a free kick was awarded for Algonquin's captain, Samantha Jones. Jones would fire the rock toward the net from just outside the 18-yard line, but Isabella Bernardi put a stop to the play, smothering the ball by the right post. Bernardi ranks second in the conference in goals against with three in nine games played.

Minutes later, head coach Jose Caro sent Melina Costa and Mia Lavorato in for Olivia Di Cesare and Doreen Anane-Bediakoh after an injury scare.

Not long after, Humber had their first big chance as first-year winger Olivia Di Casare drove up the right side of the pitch, sending in a cross for Callendar, but could not finish the play. Algonquin, on the other hand, couldn't connect on passes, constantly giving possession to Humber.

Oliveira drove up the middle to pass it off to Kaylese Callendar, who let the first one fall in behind Algonquin's keeper. This is Callendar's fifth of the season, and she is now two behind her career high of seven.

For the remainder of the half, the Hawks continued with strong defensive play, shutting down any chance Algonquin got to get a goal. At the final whistle, Humber was up by one.

After the break, Algonquin came back stronger and stole possession from the Hawks to create a rush up field. But the play fell a part after a couple miscues on the offensive end.

In the 60^th minute of play, first-year midfielder Mikayla Orrico launched the ball up field to the keeper, but the rock hit the crossbar for Humber's second great chance of the game. Then teammate Doreen Anane-Bediakoh followed with the rebound, but the ball ended up well over the crossbar and out of play.

In their attempt to come up with the attack, Algonquin amped up the pressure but could not find their rhythm.

With just 15 minutes of play left in regulation time, Kaylese Callendar travelled down the right side of the pitch and made an inside pass to third-year midfielder Micayla Santaguida. Santaguida would fire the ball into the netting, fast enough for the keeper to miss it completely.

For the rest of the match Algonquin would struggle to get play onto the other side and end the day on a loss.

With the win, Humber punched their ticket to the semifinals next week. The Wolves suffered their first loss of the season at home and are now out of medal contention.

Hawks' goaltender Isabella Bernardi earned Player of the Game, stopping Algonquin's 10 chances throughout the match.

Humber Highlights

• The Hawks have an all-time record of 8-5 against the Algonquin Wolves in the postseason.
• Humber's Isabella Bernardi recorded a career-high 10 saves in the win.
• The last time the Hawks lost in the OCAA quarter-final round was in 2015 against Cambrian.
• The Hawks improve to 26-1 all-time in the quarter-final round.

What's Next?

The Hawks face the St. Clair Saints (2-0-0) in the semifinal round on Oct. 25 at St. Clair. Kick off is set for noon and will be streamed on OCAA Live.