October 18, 2025
WELLAND, ONT: The Niagara College women's soccer team (8-1-3) hosted the Centennial Colts (10-2) on a beautiful Saturday evening at Youngs Sportsplex. The quarter-final match provided many emotions throughout, ultimately seeing the Colts defeat the Knights in a 3-1 overtime thriller.
After a tough battle throughout the first 40 minutes of the match, the Colts and Knights found themselves with plenty of opportunities to open the scoring. Just before the halftime whistle, the Colts were able to get an unmarked body into the box and headed a ball into the back of the net. Coming out of the half, the Knights were able to find another gear and put some pressure onto the Colts' defensive line. In the 74th minute, Aneisha Gobbels collected a pass from Cerrina Toromoreno and blasted a ball from 30 yards away over the Centennial keeper and into the back of the net. The pressure continued by the Knights for the rest of the game, but the Colts were able to carry the tie into overtime. Heading into overtime, it was a back-and-forth affair until the Colts were able to put a ball through the Knights' defense and slide it under goalkeeper Isabella Brassard for their 2nd goal of the match and the lead. The Colts potted a 3rd goal early in the 2nd overtime period, clinching the match and ending the Knights' season.
"We're so proud of this young team and what they've accomplished this year" said Rob Lalama, head coach of the Knights, when asked to reflect on the game. Lalama continued to say that "we knew tonight was going to be a difficult match against one of the best teams in the OCAA. When we headed into overtime after a 1-1 score in regulation time, we were confident and ready to give everything we had. Unfortunately, things didn't go our way – it was tough losing our only game of the season in the quarter-final playoff game."
The Knights end their 2025 season with the loss and begin to look towards the 2026 season. With many players set to return, the Knights are excited to get back onto the field and build off of the positivity that was created this season.
For more information on the Knights' teams, please visit us at www.goknights.ca.
