The dynasty continues for Men’s Soccer: 2021 CCAA National Champions
Dy·nas·ty
Plural dynasties
1 : a powerful group or family that maintains its position for a considerable time.
// Humber soccer is a dynasty
CALGARY – In the truest sense of the definition, Humber men's soccer is a dynasty.
The Hawks captured the program's eighth CCAA men's soccer national title – sixth since 2012 – with a 1-0 victory over Douglas at Coho Commons Field Saturday evening.
It only took ten minutes before Humber (11-0-1) was able to find the back of the net when rookie Exosse Kadiebue pushed by a Douglas defender at the top of the box and buried his shot to the bottom corner of the net.
The Royals nearly found the equalizer in the 28th minute when their free-kick went into the box, bouncing toward the goal. Surrounded by three Douglas players and Humber's last line of defence, senior Michael Fayehun made a sprawling save, clearing the ball from danger.
Minutes before the first half concluded Humber had an opportunity to extend its lead. Dante Pavan split two defenders at the top of the box and blasted a left-footed strike but the Douglas keeper got a hand on the ball and deflected it up over the net.
Humber had much of the run of play, outshooting the Royals, finding a few scoring chances in the second half. Marcos Nunes came inches away from history in the 82nd minute, narrowly missing his 44th career tally. Federico Leal curled a brilliant ball into the box, finding Nunes between two defenders. Nunes spun and fired but his shot hit the post, rebounded off of the back of the Douglas keeper and hit the post once again.
Michael Fayehun was named the championship MVP, while Luca Gasparotto and Osman Hussein were named to the all-tournament team. Gasparotto was also awarded the CCAA Exemplary Leadership Award.
The victory gives Humber varsity 54 CCAA national titles – the most in the nation.
Humber Highlights
- The Hawks improve to 8-1 in the CCAA championship match.
- Humber finishes the 2021 campaign with an unbeaten record – the fifth time the program has accomplished the feat (1995, 2001, 2015, 2016, 2021).
- It's the fifth title for Humber under the guidance of head coach Michael Aquino, who has a career record of 17-2 (.895) at the big dance.
- Marco Nunes ends his career with 43 career goals – tied for the most in program history. Nunes finishes 12-0 all-time at nationals, with nine tallies.
- Holger Xhameta recorded his second clean sheet of the tournament, finishing the postseason with four clean sheets in six matches.
- The Hawks improve to 1-1 against Douglas at nationals and 9-3 all-time against the PACWEST conference.
- Humber's eight titles tie the rest of the OCAA conference, combined.
- Marcos Nunes and Karman Singh join legends Eugenio Garro and Gerardo Magno as four-time national champions.
