The Humber Hawks men’s soccer team is looking to continue its strong form heading into the end of the regular season.
The back-to-back Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national champion Hawks have now won five straight games after a somewhat slow start that saw the team draw two of its first three matches.
Fourth-year forward Damion Kaye said keeping to the game plan and working hard are the keys to returning to the national stage.
“Keep fighting for each other, keep doing what the coaches do,” Kaye said after Humber’s 5-0 win over Sheridan Bruins on Oct. 4.
“As long as we keep on track and keep following, we’ll be good,” he said.
The forward said taking more of a leadership role and wearing the captain’s armband at points this season isn’t impacting how he plays.
“Honestly it doesn’t change much,” Kaye said. “There’s expectations and roles that come with being a senior player, and you just adjust and adapt to it.”
Humber head coach Michael Aquino said the team is finding its stride despite significant roster turnover following the 2022 season, including OCAA Athlete of the Year Luca Uccello.
Humber defender Adam Czerkawski takes a touch in the box in a game against Sheridan Bruins on Oct. 4. Photo credit: Rory Arthur
The coach, in his 10th season with the Hawks, said the team has the ingredients to continue its success.
“It’s a good group of guys playing at a good level,” Aquino said. “So I mean I think we have the ingredients for a very good team with a very good chance to make a run.”
However, he said the team is taking things one game at a time.
“It’s a long season with a lot of work ahead of them,” Aquino said. “It’s one game at a time, really, especially with the early hiccups that we had, we’re just focused on the next game.”
Being able to get new faces adjusted and familiar with the team and coaching staff has helped the team during its recent surge.
“I think we’ve been able to do that in the last couple of weeks a little better for sure,” Aquino said.
“I think just putting the pieces together a little differently has been very helpful, and I think the boys are starting to connect with one another,” the six-time CCAA national champion said.
One of the pieces playing in a newer role this season is Kaye, who said he’s enjoyed his new role dropping deeper from his usual centre-forward position.
“I really enjoy creating, honestly, and it creates space up top for most of the other strikers and forwards,” he said. “It’s a fun role to play, and I enjoy passing now.”
Aquino said ensuring the motivation and desire of the players is high, will help the team achieve its goal of making it back to the national stage.
Humber goalkeeper Holger Xhameta with the ball at his foot against Sheridan in an Oct. 4 game. Photo credit: Rory Arthur
“It’s not easy to do that, for sure, but ensuring that the boys stay hungry and have a desire and a passion to put in the work that’s required on their part,” he said.
“And to see that continue right through to the middle of November,” Aquino said. “Just being on the boys and ensuring that they’re giving 110 per cent to the goal.”
The Hawks have two games left in the regular season and are next in action in a home game against the Niagara Knights on Oct. 11 at the Ontario Soccer Centre.