SENECA 4, CENTENNIAL 1

The Seneca Sting Women's Soccer team couldn't wait to hit the pitch for the 2012 outdoor season.  The team was looking to build off of a 2011 season which saw the team go undefeated in their first eight matches, setting up an OCAA Semi-Final match-up with the Humber Hawks.  A defeat in the semi-finals and the following day left a bitter taste.

The Sting opened up the 2012 season with a dominating 4-1 victory over the Centennial Colts Wednesday night at Newnham Field.

For the majority of the first half, the ball was on the Centennial side of half as Seneca generated scoring chance after scoring chance, to no avail.  The first major scoring chance of the match came with seconds left in the opening half off a free kick for the Colts.  Sting goalkeeper Liana Tome made a diving save to her right to preserve the scoreless first half which was played in windy conditions.

The second half saw Seneca continue to generate scoring chances.  Fourth year Natalie Colangelo had a breakaway in the 55th minute, only to be turned aside by a very game Maryem Serradilla-Sonmez in the Colts' goal.

Colangelo's persistence would pay off in the form of a high arcing shot which just cleared the outstretched arms of the Colt's keeper to give Seneca the 1-0 lead in the 56th minute.  Moments later, Crystal Camilleri would add to the lead as she fired home a top corner shot which left many wondering if the ball did go in.  The official confirmed the goal giving Seneca a 2-0 lead early in the second half.

Second year Victoria Curci joined the goal parade off of a free kick in the 68th minute to give the home team a 3-0 lead in front of a crowd of friends, family and supporters.

Not one to back down, Centennial kept working hard, making crisp passes to enter the Seneca side of half.  A streaking Miriam El-Masri took a pass down the left side and proceeded to strike a curling shot into the far corner from just inside the 18 yard box to put the Colts on the board in the 70th minute.

Freshman Alexandria Kastanis completed the scoring in the 73rd minute on a breakaway to give Seneca a 4-1 lead.

The win extends Seneca's regular season home unbeaten streak to nine (6-0-3) where they have not lost since a 3-1 defeat to Durham on October 15, 2009.  The Sting (1-0-0) get back in action Sunday as they host the Cambrian Golden Shield while the Colts (0-2-0) travel to Fleming on September 20.

Source: Seneca College