HAWKS ADVANCE TO OCAA SEMI-FINALS WITH 1-0 WIN OVER ST. CLAIR
SUDBURY, ON: The Humber Hawks, undefeated and untied heading into the 2017 OCAA women's soccer championships in Sudbury, knocked off the St. Clair Saints in the quarter-final on a goal by Claudia Piazza for the 1-0 win. With the victory, the Hawks will advance to the semi-finals on Friday at 3:00 pm. Their opponent has yet to be determined.
Stellar defence from goaltender Vanessa Fiore out was the key to the game. The Hawks were in control of most of the game, limiting the Saints very few opportunities to score. Fiore was credited with the shutout, her eighth clean slate of the season.
From the opening whistle, it was the Hawks that held possession the majority of the time, but although they did have some forward movement, they did not create a legitimate scoring opportunity. Full credit goes to the St. Clair side as well, as they plugged up the middle of the field, forcing Humber to go wide.
Fifteen minutes into the second half, it was Piazza's time to shine. She showed why she is one of the elite players in the league, as she buried a free kick from 35 yards out that eluded the outstretched hands of the St. Clair keeper. This was Piazza's seventh goal in eight games this season.
St. Clair had a solid offensive push in the last 15 minutes and had more chances to score than they did in the opening 75 minutes. Hawks keeper Fiore was forced to make a diving stab twice to hold the Windsor squad off the scoreboard. The Saints had a couple of free kick opportunities late, but nothing better than the one from just outside the box with less than five minutes to play. With all ten Hawk players lined up as a wall, St. Clair chose to have quick touch pass and kick, but the ball was unable to get through.
After the free kick, Humber took control the rest of the way, and ran the clock out by holding the ball in the Saints end continuously.
Defender Dominika Philip was outstanding, and was selected as the Humber Player of the Game for her efforts.
WATCH LIVE
CHAMPIONSHIP WEBSITE
