HUMBER WINS CONSECUTIVE OCAA MEN'S SOCCER TITLES

VAUGHAN, Ont. - In a rematch of last year's Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) men's soccer gold medal game, the Humber Hawks repeated as OCAA champions, edging regional rival Sheridan 1-0 on Saturday.

Humber will once again represent Ontario at next month's Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Soccer National Championships hosted by Collège Francois-Xavier-Garneau in Quebec City. Humber is the defending national bronze medalist.

Both teams battled to a scoreless draw in their regular season meeting, and it took almost another 45 minutes before a goal would be scored in this one. Augustin De Medina capitalized on a free kick from the left side of the field, giving Humber a crucial 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

Humber was forced to play with one less player for nearly 55 minutes of action as a result of a red card, but Sheridan could not take advantage. Second chance opportunities were limited, with Peter Koumoulas coming up with big saves in the Humber goal.

With time slipping away, perhaps Sheridan's best chance came on a free kick just in front of the 18-yard box. Cameo Ellis sailed the ball high over the net, and Humber held on to win back-to-back OCAA crowns for the first time since 2000 and 2001.

Humber defender Stavros Badunas was named the most valuable player at the championship, while Koumoulas was named the top goalkeeper. Teammate Endri Begaj, Sheridan's Jonathan Costa and Conestoga's Nathan Greene were named championship all-stars.

Humber has not allowed a goal in 180 minutes of action at the OCAA championship, lifting its overall record to 10-0-1 against OCAA competition in 2011. Sheridan remains bridesmaids for a second straight season, seeing its record drop to 9-1-1. The Bruins managed just one goal at the championship.

An archive of the game can be seen on SportsLive.ca.

Website: www.ocaa.com/championships/2011-12/soccer

Championship Location
The Soccer Centre
7601 Martin Grove Road
Vaughan, Ontario

Championship Schedule/Results
Friday, October 28
Semi-Finals
Sheridan 1, St. Clair 0 (Final)
Humber 5, Conestoga 0 (Final)

Saturday, October 29
Bronze Medal Game
Conestoga 1, St. Clair 0 (Final)
Gold Medal Game
Humber 1, Sheridan 0 (Final)

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 31 members sponsoring 16 league and tournament championships.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com

Photo Credit: Jess Raymond