It was a thrilling conclusion to a challenging season for the Humber Hawks women's soccer team. They battled through an 0-4 start to win the OCAA silver medal, losing to the undefeated Seneca Sting in the finals.
Under coach Jose Caro, the eight-time OCAA champions exhibited remarkable resilience and unity.
Caro expressed pride in the team's journey and commitment to winning the silver medal.
“I was proud. It wasn't easy to get here, when the team was able to get the final championship, it showed me, they were committed,” he said.
Preparation and strategy played vital roles in the team’s success, with the coaching staff emphasizing effort as a non-negotiable element of their game. This focus not only bonded the players but also enhanced their performance in critical playoff matches.
Players like midfielder Rosie Nichols and forward Chantel Spalla, both fourth-year players, delivered standout performances, including a crucial save from their first-year goalkeeper Angela Volpe.
Reflecting on the tournament, Spalla said in an email interview that scoring the game-winning goal against Redeemer in the semifinal game was her standout moment, saying that cheering with her teammates was an incredible feeling.
Spalla played a crucial role in fostering teamwork.
“I feel that I showed teamwork by being a leader to the rookies this season,” she said. “Playing a different position in the last few crucial games exemplified my versatility. This not only had a positive impact on our games but also helped me contribute offensively and defensively.”
Spalla said the emotions she felt immediately after realizing the team had won the silver medal were tempered by realizing the team wouldn’t be heading to the nationals.
"I felt many emotions after winning the silver medal. I felt sad at first knowing we’d lost the opportunity to go to the nationals,” she said. “However, that feeling didn’t last long when I thought about all the accomplishments our team made throughout the entire season.
“In that moment, I felt proud of myself and the journey I had with my teammates,” Spalla said.
First-year players such as Alyssa Fraga and Volpe also rose to the occasion, significantly enhancing the team's success by tackling difficult situations. The team faced challenges in building chemistry due to being largely new, Spalla said.
They addressed this by maintaining high attendance at practices and engaging in group activities during away games.
The support from the school and families also played a vital role in motivating the Hawks.
Caro said the players felt an obligation to perform for their supporters.“A huge fan of the family, they’re like the 12th player,” he said. “We play for the badge, play for the jersey, but the players play for themselves and their family. Parents have done such a huge job in making sure they’re prepared to face adversity.”
Caro said it's not about how the season starts, but how it finishes, especially in the face of adversity.
He plans on building from this season's momentum, with a focus on this winter’s indoor soccer season and nurturing confidence in new players while emphasizing the basics during the offseason will be crucial for continued development.
Spalla said she believes their silver medal is significant for women’s soccer.
"This achievement will change perceptions, demonstrating how competitive and skilled we are. It shows that women’s sports are capable of much more than people think," she said.
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