VAUGHAN, Ont. - Humber College plays host to the 2022 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Men's Soccer Championship beginning Wednesday at the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan, Ont.
All three of last year's OCAA medalists return to the big stage, including the defending provincial and national champion Humber Hawks, runner-up George Brown Huskies, and bronze winner Seneca Sting. Both Humber and Seneca enter the championship without suffering a loss in 2022.
Four OCAA quarter-final matches take place on Wednesday, leading to Friday's semi-finals. The semi-final winners advance to Saturday's gold medal match, while the losing teams play for bronze. Thursday will be a rest day for the semi-finalists, with the championship banquet taking place.
The other five teams advancing to provincials include the Conestoga Condors, Durham Lords, Fanshawe Falcons, St. Clair Saints and St. Lawrence Surge.
The OCAA champion and runner-up advance to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Soccer National Championship in Langley, B.C. from Nov. 9-12.
St. Lawrence (7-2-1, 2nd East) vs. Fanshawe (7-2-1, 3rd West)
Wednesday, Oct. 26 - 10 a.m.
The Surge and Falcons get the early wake-up call on Wednesday to kick off the competition.
St. Lawrence is competing in the OCAA quarter-finals for the first time since 2014, defeating the Lambton Lions 4-1 on Saturday to earn its place at the championship.
First-year striker Jacob Ball (Kingston) led the way offensively for the Surge during the regular season, scoring a dozen goals in nine matches.
Prior to last year's pandemic shortened season, Fanshawe made it a habit of reaching the OCAA podium with a bronze medal in 2018 followed by a silver in 2019.
Fifth-year striker and 2021 All-Canadian Michael Sneddon (Mount Brydges) booted 13 goals for the Falcons in nine regular season matches.
Durham (5-3-2, 4th East) vs. Humber (10-0, 1st West)
Wednesday, Oct. 26 - 12:30 p.m.
The Durham Lords defeated the Redeemer Royals 6-2 at home on Saturday to qualify for the championship. Now they get the first crack at figuring out how to stop the Humber juggernaut.
Durham is well-rounded in its scoring with five players tied for the regular season lead in team goals with three, including 2021 OCAA League All-Star Skylar Grey (Ajax).
Humber outscored its West Division opponents 56-5, running the table winning 10 straight. Offensively, Damion Kaye (Mississauga) and Luca Uccello (Markham) scored 10 goals each.
Humber has won nine of the last 11 OCAA championships, and six of the last nine national titles.
Conestoga (9-1, 2nd West) vs. George Brown (7-2-1, 3rd East)
Wednesday, Oct. 26 - 3 p.m.
The George Brown Huskies settled for second place at last year's OCAA championship, but earned a national wild card entry for their efforts.
George Brown is two wins away from returning to the national stage. Leading the Huskies on offence this season is second-year middle Mark Do Coito (Toronto) who scored seven goals in nine matches.
The Conestoga Condors are having their best season in recent memory. The last time they reached the OCAA podium was in 2011.
First-year middle Josip Stojanovic (Croatia) led the Condors in scoring with seven regular season goals.
St. Clair (5-4-1, 4th West) v. Seneca (10-0, 1st East)
Wednesday, Oct. 26 - 5:30 p.m.
The Saints get the next crack of figuring out a Seneca juggernaut that outscored East Division opponents 50-5 during the regular season en route to 10 straight wins.
St. Clair defeated Algonquin on home turf 2-1 on Sunday to earn a quarter-final spot. The Saints advanced to the final four teams last year, and lost to Seneca 4-2 in the bronze medal match.
St. Clair midfielders Riley Drkulec (Belle River) and Mateo Grahovac (Windsor) combined for a dozen goals for the Saints during the regular season.
The Sting can consider themselves battle tested after surviving penalty kicks against Sheridan on Saturday to advance to the championship. First-year striker Michael Pelligrini (Richmond Hill) scored 10 goals in 10 matches for Seneca during the regular season.
Photo Credit: Diego Guillen
Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/msoc
Live Webcast: www.ocaa.com/ocaalive
Wednesday, October 26
Quarter-Finals
Game #1: St. Lawrence vs. Fanshawe - 10 a.m.
Game #2: Durham vs. Humber - 12:30 p.m.
Game #3: Conestoga vs. George Brown - 3 p.m.
Game #4: St. Clair vs. Seneca - 5:30 p.m.
Friday, October 28
Semi-Finals
Game #5: Winner Game #1 vs. Winner Game #2 - 12 p.m.
Game #6: Winner Game #3 vs. Winner Game #4 - 3 p.m.
Saturday, October 29
Bronze Medal Match
Game #7: Loser Game #5 vs. Loser Game #6 - 12 p.m.
Winning team presented OCAA Bronze Medal at conclusion of match
Gold Medal Match
Game #8: Winner Game #5 vs. Winner Game #6 - 3 p.m.
OCAA Gold and Silver Medals presented at conclusion of match
- OCAA -
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Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com