HAWKS DROP FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON TO NIAGARA

ETOBICOKE, Ontario: With first place in their grasp coming into Tuesdays match, the Humber Hawks Women's soccer team looked to stay on top against the Niagara Knights.

The Hawks and Knights have played once already this season with Humber taking it by a score of 2-1. This match will be the last time they play in the regular season.

Earlier in the week the Hawks took over sole possession of first place in the central division after a win against UTM. With a win on Tuesday they would remain in top spot with five matches remaining. It would also be their third straight victory.

It was cold and wet when the women's game kicked off at 6:30. The beginning of the game featured Niagara applying the pressure with the Hawks struggling with their pace of play. When the Hawks were finally able to settle down, they were able to muster up a few chances but were unable to finish.

Humbers best chance in the first half came when striker Stefany Santos was sent in alone but her shot was turned away by Niagaras goalkeeper.

The pace of play would not let up as both teams were going back and forth for the remainder of the half but the score would remain 0-0.

The second half began much like the first half began with Niagara controlling the play and getting majority of the scoring chances. Humber's chances would mostly come off of the counter-attack but they were unable to beat Niagara's goalkeeper. 

Niagara would come close to breaking the deadlock at the beginning of the second half but they saw their strike rattle off of the crossbar and pop back out into goalkeeper Tania Serafino's hands.

Majority of Humber's chances were generated from the Hawks midfield and onto striker Stefany Santos whose speed was too much for her defender. Her teammate Alexandria Kastanis at times was a handful for Niagara's defense but the Hawks just couldn't get any offense going.

One of the Hawks best chances came when midfielder Alora Walcott stood over the ball for a free kick and rattled it off of the crossbar.

In the 67^th minute Niagara would break the deadlock when they were awarded a free kick from 25 yards out and capitalized with a beautiful curling finish into the top corner to make it 1-0 Niagara.

The remainder of the game would be back and forth with the Hawks pressing, looking for the equalizer but they would fall short.

The loss was the first on the season for Humber as they failed to pick up points and extend their lead in the division. The Hawks record is now 3-1-1 on the season.

The Hawks will look to rebound on Saturday when they take on the George Brown Huskies at Centennial Park Stadium. Kick-off is at 1:00 p.m.