The Hawks’ men’s soccer team remained undefeated this season with a dominant 5-1 win over the Redeemer Royals on Oct. 1.
Still the number 1-ranked team in the country, the Hawks are also undefeated at home this season, with a record of 4-0.
This win now has them on an eight-game winning streak, equalling the regular-season streak set by Humber last year, and leaves Redeemer in seventh place in the Western Conference with a record of 0-3-4.
The Hawks have now beaten the Royals in seven straight games, dating back to the 2019-2020 season.
Head coach Jason Mesa said the team’s morale is at a high right now, with the players having confidence in each other.
“When you’re winning games, it’s a good feeling to have, for sure,” Mesa said.
The first-year coach said the week-long break after a game against Mohawk has helped the players recover from the early schedule workload, where the squad was rotated.
“We do have a lot of depth, a lot of talent on the team, so it’s about giving some players some opportunities as well, too,” he said.
Through the first 20 minutes of the game, Humber and Redeemer were figuring out how to exploit the other to find a golden chance to put momentum in their direction.
After the Royals hit the post in the 21st minute, it was Humber that took the momentum and proceeded to never give it back for the rest of the game.
A right-footed shot into the bottom-left corner from midfielder Franz Mella kickstarted the onslaught for the Hawks after he took a solo run from just outside the box to make it 1-0 Humber inside twenty-six minutes.
This goal was a sign for Mella that luck was on his side for this game, unlike the game against Mohawk, where he hid the woodwork three times.
“The mentality we had coming into this game, knowing that we’re the best team in Canada, just made us fly through the first half,” Mella said.
In the blink of an eye, Humber made it 2-0, after a cross from third-year midfielder Tariq Joseph found second-year forward Marcus Riviere, who calmly put the ball past Redeemer goalkeeper Sam Barnhoorn, for his third of the season.
Soon after, Riviere had his fourth of the season in the 35th minute after a fluid passage of play between first-year's Allister Johnson and Tyler Yasaka.
Yasaka flicked the ball through to Riviere with his right heel, and he proceeded to smash the ball into the roof of the net to give the Hawks a 3-0 lead inside 40 minutes.
Riviere said he was happy with how he played and his efficiency with the chances he was given.
“I think I could have got a bit more, but two is alright,” he said.
To end the half, Humber added another goal for good measure when third-year midfielder Matias Lescano put a corner into the box and as Redeemer defender Joshua Freire was attempting to clear the ball, it ended up in the back of his own net.
The second half started with Redeemer controlling possession in an attempt to get something to go their way, but in the 56th minute, the Hawks made it a handful of goals as fourth-year defender Isaiah Noel got on the score sheet.
The game became stagnant for the rest of the match, with both teams battling in the midfield.
Redeemer added a goal of their own in the 75th minute, courtesy of forward Ethan Smith.
This was only the third time the Hawks conceded all season, and their first in six games, breaking their clean sheet streak.
Riviere and Mella said the team lost focus being up five goals and will fix any “miscommunication” they might’ve had on defence.
“Hopefully, the rest of the season, we don’t concede any more goals,” Riviere said.
Humber will rematch against a tough opponent when they face the Conestoga Condors on Oct. 8. Humber won the away leg 1-0. Kickoff is at 3 p.m.
