Sting Advance in Penalty Kicks

The Seneca Sting faced their toughest test of the season to date, outlasting the Sheridan Bruins 1-1 (4-2) in penalty kicks. The Bruins entered the match with a 1-9-0 record, but it was misleading due to seven forfeits following the discovery of an ineligible player. As a result, the eighth seed in the OCAA's West Division presented a much tougher challenge to the undefeated Sting.

The Sting controlled the action throughout the majority of the match as the Bruins were content with just one attacking forward. The Sting finally broke through in the 40th minute when Adam Othman beat the Bruins' goalkeeper. Adam Lewis assisted on the marker as the Sting went into halftime with confidence. The Sting continued to control the action in the second half, partly due to the Bruins having a player sent off for two yellow cards. Clinging to a one-goal lead late, the Bruins were awarded a penalty kick in injury time. Rahim Thorpe took full advantage of the opportunity, netting the equalizer.

The two sides were scoreless in extra time, resulting in penalty kicks. The Sting were successful on each of their four attempts as Atif Ali, Lewis, Othman and Michael Pellegrini found the back of the net. The Bruins were successful on two of their first three attempts with the one miss hitting the crossbar. Looking to extend the match, the Bruins' shot sailed high as the Sting rushed to their goalkeeper.

• The Sting are looking to improve on back-to-back bronze medals over the last two seasons at the OCAA Championship
• The Sting outshot the Bruins 18-11
• Seneca earned eight corner kicks to just three for the Bruins, two of which were on back-to-back plays
• Seneca's Josh Alegria had a penalty kick in the first extra time which was stopped
• The feisty match saw the Bruins receive five yellow cards while the Sting received three

The Sting (11-0-0) will compete at the OCAA Championship beginning Wednesday, October 26 at the Ontario Soccer Centre hosted by Humber College.