Falcons Win Back-to-Back OCAA Championships

(London, Ontario) – On Friday afternoon, the Fanshawe Falcons Men's Indoor Soccer squad repeated as OCAA Provincial Champions with a 1-0 extra time victory over Seneca at the Ontario Soccer Centre.

In the semi-final game versus West Division rivals St. Clair, Fanshawe went up 1-0 early on a brilliant strike from fifth-year Mike Sneddon (Mount Brydges, ON). The Saints responded with a goal before the half, and the score would remain 1-1 to force extra time. In a golden goal situation, Sneddon scored in the opening minute to win the goal and secure Fanshawe a spot in the OCAA championship final.

The Falcons were matched up once again with the Seneca Sting for the gold medal match. With the season series tied at one win a piece, Fanshawe came away with an exciting extra time 1-0 victory to claim their second consecutive championship. Excellent goalkeeping from Daniel Gonzalez (London, ON) in the first half kept the Sting goalless. Fanshawe veterans Engjell Qamili (London, ON) and Ryan Baker (Strathroy, ON) controlled the pace of the game with their strong defensive play throughout the match to force extra time. The Birds then successfully battled through a five-on-three penalty kill to close out the first half of do-or-die overtime. Then, right off of the second half kick-off, first-year midfielder Eric Savoie (Ingersoll, ON) took his space down the right side of the field, beating the Seneca defenders. He finished the play with a perfect strike into the bottom left side of the net to win the game and give Fanshawe the OCAA gold medal.

Qamili was named the Tournament MVP for his stellar play throughout the tournament, while Gonzalez was named the Top Goalkeeper and Savoie a Tournament All-Star.

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