VAUGHAN – No. 4 Seneca Sting defeated the St. Clair Saints 2-1 and advanced to the OCAA semifinals. The Saints were ahead by a score of 1-0 for most of the match; however, late-game heroics from the Sting jolted the squad ahead with seven minutes left in regulation, and they never looked back.
The Sting controlled play for much of the first half with seven shot attempts, but they could not post any goals on the scoresheet. St. Clair's goalkeeper, Nedeljko Malic, was lights out in the first 45 making five saves and allowing the Saints to stay in the match. St. Clair had their opportunities in the half by posting two shots on target but could not keep up with the Sting's fiery offensive pressure.
After being on the defensive all first half, the Saints took a 1-0 lead in the 54th minute. Ezra Fogal headed the ball past Sting goalkeeper Anthony Gurrieri after a perfectly placed cross into the box from Massimo Pollard.
As the Sting continued to put immense offensive pressure on the Saints, they would end up knotting the game at one in the 79th minute off a penalty kick. After a Sting player was fouled in the box, first-year Alex Lewis would make no mistake from the penalty spot as he buried the ball in the bottom left corner of the net.
Anything can happen in the playoffs, and that statement held true in this quarterfinal matchup. Five minutes after the penalty kick goal, the Sting were awarded a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. Imran Abdulatif would get his own rebound that was blocked off the four-man Saints' wall, and he directed the ball to Jowell Alleyne in the box. Alleyne would pot the go-ahead tally right in front of the net, and the Sting would never look back.
Seneca’s 2-1 win secured them a date with the George Brown Huskies in the OCAA semifinals. The game is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Oct. 28 at the Ontario Soccer Centre.