OCAA MEN'S SOCCER QUARTER-FINALS PREVIEW

TORONTO - The second round of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) men's soccer playoffs takes place this weekend, with a berth to the OCAA championship at stake.

Winners of last weekend's qualifying rounds will visit the first or second place teams in the opposite division for the opportunity to advance. Host teams should be cautious, however, as all four road teams won their respective qualifiers.

Last season, the OCAA West earned divisional bragging rights, qualifying for all four semifinal spots and sweeping the medals.

Men's soccer teams in the province have added incentive this year as the OCAA is sending two representatives to the national championship in November. Each remaining OCAA team is now two wins away from that prestigious tournament.

The 2012 OCAA Men's Soccer Championship takes place at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ont. from Oct. 26-27.

Durham (4-2-3, 5th East) at St. Clair (6-1-1, 1st West)
Saturday, Oct. 20 - 2 p.m.

The St. Clair Saints advanced to the OCAA semifinals last season, only to be shut out of the medals.

Perhaps that was the motivation that drove it this season, as St. Clair soared to an OCAA West championship, going undefeated in its last seven games.

Offensively, fourth-year forward Brian Santos (Leamington) and first-year teammate Gabriel Poulino (Windsor) combined for 15 goals during the regular season, making them the most lethal offensive combination in the league.

Durham is also undefeated in its last seven games. The Lords won at Cambrian in the qualifying round, going scoreless for 120 minutes before winning on penalty kicks.

First-year striker Marco Trotta (Oshawa) was the top scorer on the Lords during the regular season with four goals. The Lords have not advanced to the OCAA semifinals since 1999.

Sheridan (5-2-2, 5th West) at Algonquin (5-0-3, 1st East)
Saturday, Oct. 20 - 3 p.m.

Similar to their female counterparts, Algonquin is the only OCAA team that is undefeated in 2012 as it won the OCAA East championship.

Third-year midfielder Ryan Brousseau (Dunrobin) led all Thunder players scoring three goals during the regular season.

Algonquin has not advanced to the semifinals since winning six straight OCAA titles from 2004 to 2009.

Two-time defending OCAA silver medalist Sheridan enters the quarter-finals on a four-game win streak, having gone undefeated in six straight matches. Sheridan defeated reigning bronze medalist Conestoga 3-2 on the road in the qualifying round.

The Bruins present a double offensive threat in fifth-year player Johnathan Costa (Mississauga) and first-year teammate Kelechi Ebuta (Scarborough). Each scored five goals during the regular season.

Mohawk (4-4-0, 6th West) at Seneca (5-1-2, 2nd East)
Sunday, Oct. 21 - 3 p.m.

The Seneca Sting take a seven-game unbeaten streak into their quarter-final meeting with Mohawk. The game is a rematch of the 2010 OCAA bronze medal game, won by Seneca 2-1.

Seneca had a couple of first-year players shared the team lead in goals during the regular season. Malven Francis (Pickering) and Casey Marksman (Toronto) scored three goals each.

Mohawk rebounded from an earlier 8-1 loss in its regular season meeting with Fanshawe to blank the Falcons 1-0 in the qualifying round. The Mountaineers won the game on penalty kicks.

Mohawk had issues on the defensive side of the pitch during the regular season, allowing a league-worst 21 goals among playoff teams. Offensively, fifth-year midfielder Matthew Kernick (Dundas) and first-year defender Patryk Korbut (Barrie) led the team with three goals each.

Mohawk plays its home games at Redeemer. With one more victory, the Mountaineers will have home field advantage at the championship.

Fleming (4-5-0, 6th East) at Humber (6-2-0, 2nd West)
Sunday, Oct. 21 - 3:30 p.m.

Two-time defending OCAA champion Humber gave up the least number of goals in the regular season, allowing just four. Two of those, however, came in 1-0 home losses to St. Clair and Sheridan.

First-year winger Marcos Nunes (Brampton) and third-year midfielder Matthew Rios (Toronto) led the Hawks in regular season goals, each scoring three times. Humber has won three of its last four matches

Fleming needed wins in its regular season finale and qualifier to advance to the quarter-finals. First-year midfielder Cameron Gilmore's (Newcastle) goal was the difference in a 1-0 win over Centennial in the opening playoff round.

Fleming has not advanced to the OCAA semifinals since 1997.

- 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 30 members sponsoring 16 league and tournament championships.

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Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
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E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com