Team Stats
| Game Statistics | Lambton | Niagara |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Saves | 0 | 0 |
| Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Corner Kicks | 0 | 0 |
| Offsides | 0 | 0 |
The Niagara College Knights Men's Soccer team had to win both home games this past weekend to keep their 2011 playoff hopes alive.
On Saturday, the Knights shutout the Lambton College Lions 3-1, but on Sunday, the St. Clair College Saints downed Niagara 7-2 to end the Knights chances of making the playoffs.
In the win against the Lions, the first half saw Niagara control most of the play with several scoring chances. It wasn't until the final seconds of the first half when Samuel Escobar (St. Catharines, Ont.) scored on a cross from Mike Vitaterna (Niagara Falls, Ont.). In the second half, Lambton would capitalize on a counterattack in the 60th minute to even the score. Ten minutes later, Knights rookie Nick Hudson (Cambridge, Ont.) headed home a cross on a set play to give the Knights a 2-1 lead. Andrew Trischuk (Dunnville, Ont.) followed up with an insurance marker in the 80th minute to seal the win.
"Despite the victory, we still have two tough matches ahead that we have to focus on," said Head Coach Anthony Ventresa.
On Sunday against the Saints, the Knights fell behind 2-0 in the first half in a slippery affair at the Welland Soccer Club. Mike Vitaterna (Niagara Falls, Ont.) would score early in the second half to get the Knights on the scoreboard. But as the home side pressed for an equalizer, St. Clair notched a couple more goals to extend their lead. Martin Mamic (St. Catharines, Ont.) would cut the lead in half at 4-2 but the visitors would score three late goals in the last ten minutes to pull away for the victory.
"The score got away from us at the end. Despite trailing the entire game, for several moments it appeared like we were ready to even the score, but it never materialized," said Anthony Ventresa. "It is disappointing not making the playoffs, but we are a young team, and hopefully we will learn from this experience and build on it for next season," he added.
Niagara's record falls to 2-4-1 with one game remaining against the no. 1 ranked, and undefeated Humber College Hawks (6-0-1) on Wednesday night. Game time is 8:00 pm at the Welland Soccer Club.
Source: Niagara College