Women's Soccer advance to quarter-finals in dramatic fashion
| Final | 1 | 2 | OT | OT2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Durham (0-1-0, 0-1-0) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|
Humber (1-0-0, 1-0-0) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
By: Sara Poraria
Humber Athletics Communications
VAUGHAN - Humber women's soccer advanced to the quarter-finals after keeper Vanessa Fiore saved twice and all four Humber shooters scored in a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout victory in the OCAA crossover match against the Durham Lords Saturday afternoon.
A swirling wind at the Ontario Soccer Centre wreaked havoc on the match and Durham opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when Jessica Ferreira scored a low rolling ball that deflected off a defender and into the corner of the net.
The Hawks tried to find the equalizer in the half but Durham's keeper Nikki Bradshaw turned away all five of Humber's shots in the first 45 minutes.
After the break and playing with the wind, Humber failed to convert on multiple chances to tie the game but continued to press, desperately fighting to find the equalizer. In the 70th minute, a corner kick from Catarina Medeiros caught the wind into the box, and her strike found the inside of the far post to tie the match.
The Hawks continued to press for the game-winner, finding the post on numerous occasions but were unable to find the back of the net in regulation. Humber outshot the Lords 12-0 in the second half, dominating possession, but was unable to beat Bradshaw more than once.
After 120 minutes of game time was not enough to decide a winner, the match went into a penalty kick shootout. Senior Giulia Zanardi stepped to the spot as Humber's first shooter, beating Bradshaw to the far right side. Humber keeper Vanessa Fiore, no stranger to shootouts, guessed correctly on Durham's first shooter, tipping the shot high and away off the crossbar for the save.
Kaitlynn Russell extends Humber's lead to two by beating Bradshaw in the same spot as Zanardi. After Ferreira scored for the Lords, rookie Elisa Oliveira scores from the spot, this time beating Bradshaw to the far left.
Fiore stepped up once again, guessing right on Olivia Checcia to turn away a Durham shooter for the second time. With a chance to seal the victory for Humber, Breanna Senfner curled her shot inside the top left post, securing the 4-1 penalty kick victory for the Hawks.
Humber Highlights
- The Hawks improve to 6-0 all-time in the crossover round and 17-1 all-time at home in the OCAA postseason.
- Catarina Medeiros recorded her second career postseason tally.
- Humber improves to 4-1 all-time in OCAA shootouts.
- Vanessa Fiore is now 3-0 all-time in shootouts, winning the 2016 and 2018 semifinals against Seneca.
- The Hawks improve to 6-5 all-time against the Durham Lords in postseason play.
What's Next?
Humber women's soccer will head on the road to take on the No. 8 Niagara Knights in the OCAA quarter-final round on October 23 in Welland.
