Hawks soar into fall season
The Hawks have left the nest.
While most students are still trying to adjust back into school mode, many Humber Varsity teams have already kicked off their respective seasons. So far, it has been pretty overwhelming and this is just the beginning.
For the men’s baseball season opener on Sept. 10, the Humber Hawks took to the field against Durham. The spirited affair saw Humber trailing 3-1 until they scored five runs in the final inning to complete the comeback and secure their first win of the season. Originally, Humber was set to face Seneca on Sept. 8; however, weather conditions forced the game to be postponed until Oct. 6.
The women’s softball team did not do too badly either. The defending OCAA champions also opened their season on Sept. 10 to rock Hamilton’s Mohawk Mountaineers 10-3 on home turf, led by the impressive effort of Kelsey Bardy who went 3-for-4 at the plate, scoring three times and stealing base twice. The team is hoping to build on this victory and defend their OCAA title in October.
The highly touted men’s rugby team opened its season Sept. 15 against Conestoga and walked right through them with a 36-0 victory. Humber has won five of the last six OCAA title games.
Did someone say four-peat? Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams are coming off incredible seasons that saw them both winning the OCAA championship for a third straight time. With several core players having left each team, some wondered whether they have what it takes to win a fourth. Dominating victories by both teams laid those concerns to rest.
First, the men’s soccer team opened their season on Sept. 10 against the Mohawk Mountaineers at Valley Field North. A spirited tilt saw Humber pulling out a 3-1 victory. The game seemed fairly even until Nikola Negojevic slotted the ball past the keeper to put Humber up 1-0 before half-time. Daniel Braga would then score twice before the half was over and the Hawks were cruising with a 3-0 lead. Goaltender Eugenio Garro’s shutout was spoiled as Mohawk scored late to make the final score 3-1. Several other games are set for the Valley so if you are a soccer fan, check out a game.
Not to be outdone, the women’s soccer team opened their season on Sept. 11th against the Mohawk Mountaineers at Valley Field North; it was an absolute annihilation as they cruised to a 6-0 victory. It did not take long for them to get on the board as highly touted prospect Keyanna Jackso, scored her first goal as a Hawk just four minutes into the match. It would remain 1-0 until the second half, when Humber shifted into another gear. After a foul in the box, Ashley Osorio stepped up to take the penalty and tucked it right into the corner for a 2-0 lead. Before the end of the match Olivia Drake, Corinna Vanderschaaf, Alexandria Kastanis and Vanessa Fera would also score to make the final 6-0. The Hawks Player of the Game was Olivia Drake, and deservedly so as she was all over the pitch.
Vince Pileggi, head coach of the women’s soccer team and an 18-year veteran on the job, has seen the women win six OCAA Championships since 2000.
“We have 10 returnees and 11 new players, so we do have some variety,” Pileggi said; “the returnees and new players are very good.
“Well, I’d say most importantly the returning players know their role on the team; the new girls have to take initiative of what to do but we mostly look to our veterans to smooth the transition with our newcomers,” Pileggi said.
The OCAA Championship runs Oct. 24 to Nov. 9. Is there a big chance for a four-peat? “I certainly think so,” said Pileggi. “Within our rookie class we have three blue- chip prospects that can help us on every end of the field. I cannot wait for the season.”
According to CCAA’s newest rankings, the men’s soccer and men’s golf teams are the defending national champs, checking in at No. 1, and the women’s soccer team hit the charts at No. 5.
Men’s and women’s basketball both start in October, as does men’s volleyball. Badminton is set to kick off in mid-October and you can catch golf and women’s volleyball towards the end of September.
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