Joe Ottarino unleashes a shot down the left flank against Redeemer in the final game.
photo by evagelos tzaras
Men settle for silver after frustrating shootout loss in final against Redeemer
Evagelos Tzaras
Sports Reporters
For the second year in a row, the Hawks men’s indoor soccer team lost in the finals of the provincial championships, taking the game all the way to penalty shots but coming up short this year against the Redeemer Royals.
After going down 1-0 with under four minutes to spare, striker Joe Ottorino tied the score with a bullet to the top shelf.
Penalty kicks saw the Hawks’ scorers go three for five, while Redeemer was able to score four goals and seal victory.
Humber coaches and players expressed disappointment that penalty shots decided the outcome.
“Is this the best way to do it? I would say in the long run ‘yes’,” said assistant coach Cesare Tripodo. But we didn’t lose the game, we lost an activity.”
Hawk forward Mike DiLuca also would have liked to play for extra time.
“I just think let the guys go and let the fittest team win,” he said summing up penalty kicks as: “If you hit the net you score. If the goalie guesses right, he saves it. It’s just all luck, I guess.”
The Hawks went 13-4 on the season and began the tournament with three wins: 3-2 over Fleming, followed by a 2-0 win over Redeemer and 2-0 over Seneca.
Coach Germain Sanchez said he was proud his players where able to bounce back from a tough start at their first tournament the Centennial Invitational.
“You have to play as a team,” he said. “That is the name of the game – playing as a team. When one player is over the rest of them that doesn’t say much for your team. So, teamwork, and friendship between the players was important.”
Captain Tony Holder and Endri Begaj were named tournament all-stars for their solid play on defence.
Holder, playing is likely to be his final game for the Hawks was asked what he will reminisced on his time with Hawks’ soccer.
“Just overall camaraderie,” said Holder. “Getting to know people in the school, just somebody to say hey to in the halls, and having some common ground and understanding with them.”