HAMILTON-WENTWORTH CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Knights capture girls' indoor soccer championship

By Larry Moko

Winning the 2022 Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic girls' indoor soccer tournament is a special' achievement for Lorena Morcone of the St. Thomas More Knights.

"It's so exciting," the Knights captain and central defender said after More's 1-0 championship victory over the Bishop Tonnos Titans at United Soccer Centre Monday.

A Grade 12 student, Morcone started out as a member of More's soccer team in Grade 9. But that year an injury prevented her from suiting up. And, of course, COVID-19 restrictions wiped out indoor and outdoor high school soccer for each of the past two years.

"I missed the whole Grade 9 season because I was injured," Morcone said. "So I watched from the sideline. Then we missed all those years. Now, I actually got to play. It was great.

"To win was really special for us seniors. It was our last chance."

More broke the tie when Erjona Citaku turned in the box and blasted a shot high into the net. A corner kick by Makenna Williamson started the play which quickly led to a setup for Citaku's chance.

Moments later, Sabrina Cunha narrowly missed making it 2-0 when she drilled a shot off the crossbar.

"Erjona is a Grade 10 junior, so it was nice for her to get a goal," Morcone said.

Knights' coach Giovanni Carboni says the More lineup includes a group of eight girls whom he has coached at an academy program since they were in Grades 4 and 5.

"I've known them since they were little girls," he said. "We have great rapport. To me, they are like my own children sometimes. They were excellent back then and they still are."

And regarding Morcone, the Knights' coach said: "I joke with her and call her mom'. She's the mother of the team. She looks after everything and everyone. Lorena is an excellent player. Smart, calm and humble. She understands where to be and where everyone else needs to be."

Tonnos won its semifinal, 2-1 over the St. Mary Crusaders, on goals by Sarah Mothe and Sophia Filice.

"STM is always great competition," Titans coach Christina Barbati said. "We have a lot of work to do. We need to generate more opportunities to score."

Defensively, Tonnos is anchored by goalkeeper Jana Febbraro who has signed with the McMaster University Marauders.

Despite going undefeated and capturing the championship, Carboni isn't completely satisfied with More's development as a team.

"We're not playing very well," he said. "We're getting by with great individuality. They are very good players and they do stuff on their own. We need to change to get better. A lot of things need to come around."

The boys and girls senior outdoor soccer seasons begin Tuesday, April 19.

Other players on More's roster are Chiara Filice, Olivia Caruso, Ashley Melo, Grace Young, Emilie Nicolas, Mackenzie Scanlon, Samantha DeStephanis, Janelle Sylvestre, Francesca Pugliese, Ava Pugliese, Mia Paiement, Irelan Scanlon, Jenna Parris, Maya Dejto and Alexa Burgio.

In the consolation championship, the St. John Henry Newman Cardinals edged the Cathedral Gaels, 1-0. The goal went to Emily Schwarz.