After a few bumps along the way Huskies men won the OCAA championships

George Brown College (GBC) men’s indoor soccer earned the gold medal at the OCAA championships on March 22.

In the previous four years, GBC has won gold, silver and bronze medals at the championships, but it did not come easily this season. 

The Huskies started off the tournament with mixed results. Winning two out of three of their games on Thursday March 21, the team advanced to the semifinals.

GBC kicked off the tournament beating Humber 2-1. In their following game, GBC lost to Fanshawe 3-1.

Needing to win their final game to advance to the semifinals, the Huskies performed. Scoring 3-1 against Centennial, GBC secured their place on day two. 

On the second day, GBC played against University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) for a place in the gold medal match. After playing UTM in the regionals tournament, and losing 7-1, GBC was determined to come back swinging.

“It was personal,” said defensive player Omar Hussein. “The last game we went into it kind of nonchalant and they took advantage of that and obliterated us and we came into this game with that mentality of ‘this is revenge.'”

GBC’s determination payed off. Shaq Agard scored the winning goal for the Huskies with eight minutes left in the game. GBC finished the game with a score of 1-0.

The second and final game of the day was set up against Fanshawe who had already beat them 3-1 on day one of the tournament. 

In the final game of the tournament, GBC started off strong keeping the score even with no goals on either side at the halftime. 

In the first few minutes of the second half, Agard popped in his second goal of the day and GBC pulled ahead. 

“It feels great because we worked hard as a team.  It feels great when you’re the one to get it done for your team,” said Agard. 

The game picked up the pace after that, as each team found themselves getting into trouble and earning time-outs on the bench.

With only a few minutes left in the game, Fanshawe put the pressure on GBC and maintained a strong presence in the Huskies’ half. 

It took a stout defensive effort and a few strong catches from the goalie, but GBC prevailed with a final score of 1-0.

“I knew that going into this game that defensively these boys wanted that medal so they did what it took to get it,” said head coach John Williams.