Gasparotto headlines award winners for Men's Soccer
Humber men's soccer received a CCAA All-Canadian selection, division title, league scoring champion, division player of the year, and four all-star selections.
ETOBICOKE – Top-ranked Humber men's soccer garnered numerous league accolades Thursday afternoon when the OCAA announced its yearly awards which are determined by a polling of the conference's coaches.
Highlighting the award winners for Humber was fifth-year standout Luca Gasparotto, who became the 22nd CCAA All-Canadian in program history after earning the Central Division Player of Year honours. In the toughest division in OCAA soccer this season, Gasparotto made an immediate impact, leading the top backline in the province. The former Glasgow Rangers defender helped Humber clinch the division title for the 24th time while holding opponents to a league-low 15 shots on goal in six matches. At six-foot-two, he played a major role on set pieces for the Hawks as well, recording two tallies during the regular season.
Rookie forward Karamvir Mehmi was named the OCAA scoring champion, becoming just the ninth golden boot winner in program history. Against the top coach in the division, Mehmi scored a program-record seven tallies on the road against the winless Cougars. As a team, the Hawks finished with 13 goals in the win, surpassing the program record of 10 established in 1981.
Federico Leal was named a league all-star for the fourth time during his illustrious career. After earning an all-star nod with Algonquin in 2017, the national champion has been selected in each of his three seasons with the Hawks. Considered one of the top free-kick specialists in program history, Leal now has 12 career goals in 21 matches for Humber.
The greatest scoring threat in the nation returned to Humber this year for his final season, picking up exactly where he left off. Marcos Nunes, now a two-time league all-star, opened the season with a hat trick against George Brown before adding another three against Conestoga in the quarter-finals. With 41 career tallies, Nunes sits three goals away from becoming Humber's all-time leading scorer.
Luca Uccello has also been named a league all-star in his first season with the Hawks. The former TFC II star and Canadian national team player helped solidify Humber's midfield, as the Hawks finished with the most balanced program in the province. Humber's 5.5 goals-per-game average was the highest mark in the province and a new program-high, while its 1.0 goals-against-average was the second-lowest mark.
With four national titles under his belt, head coach Michael Aquino has yet to win the OCAA Coach of the Year award.
Since 1993, the Hawks lead the OCAA with 74 all-star selections.
No. 1 Humber will resume OCAA postseason action tomorrow, taking on St. Clair in the semifinal round. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m.
