Women’s indoor soccer team hopeful despite loss to York
Humber mid-fielder Sonia Rocha, #17, and Keyla Moreno, #21, rush the ball in posession of the Bruins. PHOTO BY ELTON HOBSON
Elton Hobson
Sports Reporter
VAUGHAN – The women’s indoor soccer team opened their season with a discouraging loss to old rivals the York Lions at a tournament hosted by Centennial College on Jan. 21.
After breezing through the preliminaries, the Hawks defeating the Sheridan Bruins 1-0 in the quarterfinals, but came up short 1-0 in the semifinals against York.
“We haven’t beat York yet,” said Hawks defender Rosa Andriano, a third-year design foundations student.
“At least, not in the two years I’ve been back. We always lose to them.”
Yet the Hawks didn’t give up without a fight after battling down to the wire, scoring the lone goal late in the game.
“For our first tournament, I thought we played very well,” said Hawks co-head coach Vince Pileggi. “And against a team like York, you have to score on your opportunities, because you don’t get many of them. They did, and we didn’t, and that was the game.”
Missing from the Hawks lineup were several key players, including midfielders Sonia Rocha and Jackie Rolfe
“I don’t think it made a big difference (missing players) today,” said Hawks co-head coach Mauro Ongaro. “As we move into the season and towards regionals, having that depth will be important. Today, [them] not being here isn’t the reason we won or lost those games.”
Andriano shard the sentiment.
“I don’t think the missing players had a big impact on the outcome of the tournament,” Andriano said.
“It’s more us just getting comfortable, working with new players in new positions, that sort of thing.”
Hawks star forward Keyla Moreno went down with an ankle injury late in the game, after a stellar performance in the tournament that saw her notch four goals.
Hawks coaching staff say Moreno’s injury was minor and the OCAA MVP won’t miss any game time.
The Hawks play in the Redeemer Tournament on Feb. 4 in Ancaster.