The Humber Hawks men's soccer team recorded a clean sheet against Fanshawe Falcons in a 3-0 home opener win at Zanchin Automotive Soccer Centre in Vaughan on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
The team were skilled on the field, showing everyone that last year's Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) champs are more than ready to start this season.
The first half of the game came and went, and the game remained a scoreless tie.
“The first half we struggled, but then we sat down at halftime, had a word with each other, and then picked it up,” fourth-year defensive player Luca Pinto said.
Head coach Jason Mesa said the team did not live up to its potential in the first 45 minutes.
“The first half, we weren't able to get a good flow into the game, we weren't able to just settle the ball down,” he said.
During halftime, Mesa said he had "an honest conversation with the players, and they took accountability, knowing they weren't playing to their full potential, so we made a few substitutions at halftime.
"We brought in some different players into different positions, and it impacted the team in a very positive manner," he said.
The game remained scoreless until midfielder Tariq Joseph scored the opening goal to set the team off at the 66th minute.
“Going into the game, it felt like a lot of weight on my shoulders,” Joseph said.
Joseph wasn't the only one who noticed the team's focus changed after the first goal.
“The goal was a huge momentum boost for us and gave us all confidence to keep going,” Pinto said.
Getting the first goal of the home opener was a big deal to Joseph.
“That was a big goal, as soon as I saw it hit the back of the net, I was like ‘Oh my God,'” Joseph said.
Not only did the players notice the change, but the head coach did as well, applauding the work done on the pitch.
“The overall work rate we adapted in the second half elevated our team and put us in more of an attacking phase more consistently, so our team's confidence grew throughout the second half,” Mesa said.
Shortly after Joseph's goal, Pinto kicked off into the net, paving the way for Humber's second goal after a trip was called, and the Hawks secured a penalty shot. Pinto took the shot on Fanshawe goalie Dylan DaSilva and got the second goal for Humber at the 69th minute.
“It felt really good for the team, it always feels good to score,” Pinto said.
The streak didn't stop there for the Hawks. Forward Cristiano Candelaresi scored the final goal of the game at the 82nd minute, giving the Hawks a clean 3-0 sweep in their home opener against Fanshawe with a fantastic start to the 2025-2026 season.
The red-hot men's team, ranked Number 1 nationally, boasts a 5-0-0 record, with a tally of 21 goals for and two against so far this season.
Meanwhile, the Humber Hawks women's soccer team took the field directly after, finishing off with a 2-0 win against the Falcons. Forward Kaylese Callender scored the opening goal, followed by midfielder Elisa Oliveira, who found the back of the net in the 39th minute, giving the women's team a 2-0 win against Fanshawe in their home opener.
The women's squad is now 2-0-2, with a tie against Conestoga Condors on Sept. 13, and is ranked eighth nationally.
Both teams play again next Sept. 24 at their home field, Zanchin Automotive Centre in Vaughan.
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