Nichols' late tally sends Women's Soccer to quarter-final round

By: William Shoukri
Humber Athletics Communications

WELLAND — Women's soccer (5-5-1) beat Niagara College (7-3-1) 2-1 in an incredible overtime win on Wednesday evening in the OCAA championship qualifying round. Rosie Nichols scored the game-winner in the 29th minute of extra-time for Humber. Kaylese Callender assisted on both, but it was a team effort. Their ball movement through the midfield, incredible defensive play, and sheer determination won Humber the match.   

Match Recap

Even though Humber was the underdog coming into Wednesday's game, Niagara was a favourable matchup for the Hawks, sporting similar statistics on both sides. 

It was a pretty good start for the Hawks. Both teams were clearly calculating, having not played each other since early September. Overall, Humber looked comfortable. They weren't chasing and looked to be controlling the flow of play. 

There was a scare for Humber ten minutes in, with a loose ball almost resulting in a Niagara breakaway, but keeper Angela Volpe would come far out of her net and successfully clear the dangerous look. 

Both teams amassed a few shots during the half, but for the most part, they came from a distance and were non-threatening. Humber's best chance arguably came early on, with Chantal Spalla ripping a strike just high 15 minutes in. 

Overall, the first half was even. Both teams missed high-danger chances, and momentum shifted evenly back and forth. The half ended scoreless, with both teams in a 0-0 deadlock. 

Back from the break, both teams were pressing. The first half had gotten pretty chippy, with Humber playing a strong, physical presence, and now they were playing with even more passion. 

Niagara would break the deadlock in the 51st minute. Humber keeper Angela Volpe would make a diving stop, but there was no defender to clear the box, and Niagara's Hannah Truant would put the Knights up 1-0 with an easy tap-in. 

After the goal, Humber turned up the gas. They would finally break through after a few minutes of steady offensive pressure. An incredible cross from Kaylese Callender on the left side would be finished by Rosie Nichols, tying the game 1-1. 

Humber was in control of the pace of play now; they had come out for the second half with spirit and purpose. Niagara didn't get anything across for 45 minutes and looked demoralized. 

The game stayed tied deep into regulation, and the Hawks started to put on some pressure. In the final ten minutes of the game, Humber had nothing but offence, but even with five minutes of injury time, when the Hawks dominated, they couldn't get the job done. 

At the very end of regulation, Niagara received a free kick in a dangerous position. Angela Volpe made the stop, jumping to snag the ball just under the crossbar to end regulation time. 

The Hawks came out buzzing in overtime. With their breaths fogging in the air, Humber's squad pressured Niagara, making zone entry after zone entry. Rosie Nichols would get a golden opportunity in the eighth minute; she made a great move to beat a defender and smashed an incredible strike just inches over the crossbar. 

Nichols' chance would be the best of the half, with the teams remaining tied after 15. 

As a fog began to settle on the field, the teams took the pitch for the second half of overtime. Niagara was the team in control now. 

The Knights got their best chance just minutes into the half, with a dangerous cross rolling slowly across the Hawks crease as keeper Angela Volpe was sprawled near the post, having just made a save. 

Humber would turn the tide in the back end of the half, but a couple of opportunities were just high, and some saves from the Niagara keeper kept the game tied. 

However, Humber kept the pressure up, and in the 29th and final minute of extra time, Kaylese Callender recreated her play from the second half. An incredible cross from the left-side corner was placed perfectly for Rosie Nichols to score her second of the night, and the biggest goal of her career. 

Humber Highlights

• This was Rosie Nichols's second career two-goal game. She now has goals in back-to-back games. This was her first goal in extra time.
• Kaylese Callender recorded her first career OCAA assist.
• Humber is now 3-0 in the postseason against Niagara and have eliminated the Knights from the playoffs three times since 2021.  
• Angela Volpe has recorded five-plus saves in six matches this season.
• The Hawks improve to 9-0 all-time in the qualifier/crossover round.

What's Next?

Humber will face Sheridan (10-0-1) Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.