Maciej Chabelski
Sports Reporter

VAUGHAN, Ont. – The women’s indoor soccer team settled for a disappointing bronze medal at the Ontario College Athletic Association Championships in Vaughan last week. 

“The expectations coming in were that we had a great shot at the gold,” said athletic director Doug Fox.

“However, soccer is a cruel sport and we couldn’t finish enough of our chances to get that top spot.”

The Hawks started off the two-day tournament on a high note, defeating both St. Lawrence and George Brown by a score of 2-1, before dropping a third game to eventual champions Fanshawe 4-2.

Despite the loss, Humber finished top spot in pool A, and played pool B second seeds Fleming in the first semi-final game. 

The two teams battled to a 0-0 tie with penalty kicks deciding the outcome.

The Hawks missed the first two shots before converting their next two. 

However Fleming was perfect from the spot.

“It was a penalty shoot out disaster,” Fox said, adding that the men’s indoor soccer team lost its gold medal game at the tournament in the same way. 

In the bronze medal game against Kitchener’s Conestoga College, the women started off sluggishly, controlling possession but missing several scoring opportunities. 

Head coach Mauro Ongaro was disappointed with his team’s efforts in the first half, and let them know during the break.

“We need to play with a sense of urgency and give it all on every one of our shifts,” he told his players.  “Don’t take them for granted…they can score a lot of goals.”

His team responded with a good defensive effort in the second half, which translated into the game-winning goal.  
Forward Holly Goddard directed a pass into the path of midfielder Melissa Migliazza, who outran two Conestoga defenders, and fired a left-footed volley into the top of the net, sealing a 1-0 victory for the Hawks.

It’s the third straight year the Hawks have finished with a medal at the championships. 

Last year, they won silver and in 2006 they finished with a bronze medal.