The Humber women’s soccer team has gotten off to a flying start to begin the 2023 campaign. The team has a record of 5-0-3 and currently sits second in the OCAA West division standings.
Last season the team finished 7-0-2, first in West, and was named the OCAA Champions, this year they hope to reclaim their title.
But the women’s team slipped from the Canadian Collegiate Athletics Association top 15 ranking, from fourth in Week 1.
Head coach Jose Caro said they are prepared for anything this season.
“It’s been a tougher season than last year, but our girls are ready to play every game like it’s a final,” Caro said.
The team engaged in an intense weekend of competition playing away games on back-to-back days against Lambton on Sept. 30 and St. Clair on Oct. 1.
The girls were untouchable against Lambton scoring five goals in the first half and four in the second in a 9-0 victory against the Lions. Kassandra Genova, Emma Genova and Kaitlynn Russell potted two goals each.
Humber Hawks midfielder Cara Serapiglia taking on two Sheridan Bruins defensemen during an Oct. 2 game. Humber won 2-0. Photo credit: Nicholas Prencipe
The game against St. Clair Saints was not as eventful. The girls played their hearts out hours away from home and managed to keep another clean sheet in a nil-nil draw.
“It was hard to play our style of game against them because of how physical and organized they played,” Caro said.
So far this season, the team has kept a clean sheet against five of their eight opposition teams with four of those coming with Isabella Bernardi guarding the woodwork. Last season she started eight of the 10 games and managed six clean sheets.
“It feels really good,” she said. “We’re undefeated so obviously clean sheets are good but it’s not always about me. A win is a win so I will walk away with anything.”
From goalkeeping to goal-scoring, the squad is filled with talent. The girls have managed to score 24 goals in eight games so far this season while only conceding four.
The women played their last game Oct. 4 against the Sheridan Bruins and came away with a commanding two-nil victory.
“The changes we made from the St. Clair game was we told our team that they have to come out to play and not wait until they try to get you off your game,” Caro said.
The Humber women’s soccer team is looking to repeat last season’s glory, and with only two remaining games in the season, they don’t look too far off from doing so.