Clean sheet victory for Women's Soccer against Sheridan

By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications

VAUGHAN – Humber women's soccer (5-0-3, 2nd West) downed the Sheridan Bruins (1-5-2, 8th West) Wednesday night under the lights of the Ontario Soccer Centre, 2-0. Kaitlynn Russell led the Hawks offensively, grabbing an assist and scoring a tally. 

Game Recap 

The Hawks did not waste any time to get the first tally on the board. At six minutes, a corner kick from Kaitlynn Russell found Hayley Lewis inside the box. She smashed a header out of the keeper's reach, putting Humber ahead early in the game. Lewis scored her second goal of the season, both assisted by Russell. 

The defending provincial champions were feeling the good moment after the first tally. Humber had total control of the midfield, building up offensive plays and not allowing the Bruins to get close to Isabella Bernardi's net. 

Kaitlynn Russell had a great chance to extend the advantage for the Hawks. After a cross inside the box, the ball was deflected back to the Mississauga-born, who hammered from 20 yards, but Sheridan's Kennedy Peddie dived to her left and stopped Russel from scoring. 

Even with one goal behind on the board, Sheridan did not increase their offensive presence. The defence was compact and the Bruins always had a superior number of players in the defensive zone, making it hard for the Hawks to increase the lead. The referee would blow the whistle to end the first half, and Humber led 1-0. 

Sheridan came back from the break hot, pressuring Humber right at their defensive area. The Bruins' defence-attack transition was faster, and the Hawks struggled to keep the ball possession. 

To break Sheridan's solid defence, Humber had to come up clutch with a team play. Kassandra Genova pushed strong in the right wing, battling for the ball and crossing inside the 6-yard box. Cara Serapiglia found Kaitlynn Russell alone by the penalty mark, and the third-year smashed to the back of the net, scoring her eighth goal of the season. Humber doubled the lead to 2-0. 

The Hawks finished Wednesday's matchday, securing their fifth win in eight games this season. 

Humber Highlights

• Kaitlynn Russell tied Guilia Zanardi with 40 career tallies and now sits fourth all-time in program history.
• Humber improves to 26-3-5 all-time against the Bruins.
• The Hawks improved to 16-0-6 against the OCAA during the Coach Caro era.
• Rusell's eight tallies and 22 points lead the West Division.

What's Next?

Humber soccer will welcome the Niagara Knights (2-3-1, 7th West) at the Ontario Soccer Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on the Hawks Sports Network.