Sting Rally to Advance

The Seneca Sting rallied to defeat the St. Clair Saints in the OCAA quarter-final, scoring two goals in the final 11 minutes. 

The Sting controlled the action for most of the opening half. Despite the constant pressure, the Sting were unable to break the deadlock. The Saints took full advantage on their first scoring opportunity early in the second half to take a 1-0 lead.

The Sting finally broke through in the 79th minute. Aaron Toniolo brought the ball up the left side and passed the ball just inside the penalty area. Imran Abdulatif raced stride-for-stride with a Saints defender, narrowly getting to the ball first. Abdulatif was brought down and the Sting were awarded a penalty kick. Alex Lewis was selected to take the kick. The first-year studder-stepped on his approach before driving the ball to the bottom left corner of the goal.

The Sting continued to apply pressure and took the lead in the 85th minute. Faced with a free kick from just outside the penaly area, Josh Alegria saw his initial kick blocked, but quickly drove the ball towards the Saints' goal. Lewis lost control of the ball while turning towards the Saints' goal, only for the ball to find the foot of Jowell Allyne who drove the ball into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

The Saints came unhinged following Allyne's go-ahead goal, leading to a pair of red cards. The Saints were unable to mount any pressure in the game's final moments as the Sting pulled off the improbably comeback.

The Sting advance to the OCAA Championship final four for the third consecutive season. The Sting have captured a bronze medal at each of the two previous championships.

The Sting (12-0-0) will face a familiar foe in the George Brown Huskies on Friday, October 28 at 3:00 PM at the Ontario Soccer Centre hosted by Humber College. The Sting defeated the Huskies in the regular season 3-2 on the road.