By: Satbir Singh
Sports Information Coordinator
Mountaineers women's soccer came into the 2021/22 OCAA regular season a young team, with all but three athletes entering their first year of play. Throughout the season the squad battled numerous injuries and still found a way to qualify for the playoffs.
"I liked how the girls gelled as a team from the start of the season to the end," said head coach Paul Giannini. "They were all in as a unit."
Mohawk finished the season with a 1-4-1 record, placing them third in the OCAA south division.
In the first two games of the season the Mountaineers lost 4-1 to both Sheridan and Niagara before picking up a point versus Redeemer in a 1-1 draw. That was followed up with a 5-1 loss to Niagara.
Mohawk would bounce back with their lone win of the season when they beat Redeemer 2-0, but the season concluded with a 4-2 loss to Sheridan at Tim Hortons Field.
In the opening road of the playoff the Mountaineers travelled to play the St. Clair Saints. Mohawk fell behind 2-0 before scoring a late goal. Unfortunately, it was a little too late for a comeback as they'd go on to lose 2-1.
Giannini said a lot of girls on the roster stepped up when called upon, but he highlighted his three veterans: Sam Mathieu, Sabrina Cianciosi and Jessica Campbell.
Mathieu started the season as a midfielder for the squad but later moved to the striker position. She led Mohawk with four goals for the year. Taylor Lee had two goals on the season, and Cianciosi and Katelyn Barich each scored one.
As a team, the Mountaineers scored a total of eight goals which ranked 12th in the OCAA. Their 18 goals against also ranked 12th in the league.
Goalkeeper Samantha DeHaan in seven matches gave up 20 goals, made 45 saves and had one shutout.
Looking ahead to next season, Giannini hopes to add depth to the roster.
"For next season, we need a deeper roster," he said. "Injuries with a small roster definitely impacted the games this year."
The Mountaineers will use the early parts of the offseason to rest and recover from nagging injuries. Then the team will shift focus to indoor training and look ahead to exhibition play.
