HAWKS RETURN TO GOLD MEDAL GAME WITH 2-0 SEMI-FINAL WIN

SUDBURY, ON: For the second consecutive year, the Humber Hawks women's soccer team have advanced to the OCAA Gold Medal Game. Humber secured the berth by way of a 2-0 win on Friday afternoon over London's Fanshawe Falcons.

The gold medal game is set for 3:00 pm on Saturday afternoon. Their opponent has yet to be determined. The Hawks dropped the title game to the Algonquin Thunder last season.

From the onset, it was the Hawks who controlled the play. Although the Hawks had few clear scoring chances, they had outshot the Falcons 8-1 at the half. Humber's back-end was as solid as it had been all season long, not allowing the London squad any opportunities to break through for a solid scoring chance.

The second half started just as it had ended, with Humber continuously pushing forward, trying to be the team to score first. The Hawks would indeed break the tie at the 73^rd minute. Claudia Piazza was awarded a free kick from the wing, about 18 yards out. She floated a perfect cross into the box that Rebecca Spratt skillfully headed in to the lower corner of the net.

Now with the lead and with time winding down, the Hawks were content in limiting Fanshawe control in their end. A number of long balls were fired down the field, forcing the opposition to turn and go all the way back to get the ball and try to move forward again.

With just seconds left in stoppage time, Shaniece Bennett stole the ball off a lazily struck ball by the Falcons keeper and deposited it into the empty net.

Seconds later, the referee signaled the end of the game with three quick whistles.

Humber outshot Fanshawe 18-5 in the game.

As expected, the entire Humber team and coaching staff erupted from the bench to join in on the celebration.

For her efforts, Rebecca Spratt was named the Humber Player of the Game.