Konstantine Mpougiotis led the attack as the Colts easily overcame the Fleming Phoenix, 4-0, last Wednesday night in OCAA action.
The rookie striker was aggressive in hunting for his shots, taking eight on the night, with two on target. He had his chances, with one in the 40th minute and another in the 74th, but both were sent over the crossbar from up close.
Mpougiotis finished with only one goal, but he set the tone for the rest of the team.
Centennial (3-5-0) took a total of 36 shots, as opposed to Fleming’s four. Eight different players took at least three shots, with second-year Ali Azim taking seven.
Emeka Okafor subbed in after halftime and immediately made an impact, with two shots on goal and scoring one. Receiving a through ball from Mpougiotis just past the midfield line, Okafor took it all the way for his second goal of the season.
“I felt very good (coming) off the bench, and scoring one goal,” said the rookie from Brampton, who had a very close shot, getting up high for a header off a corner kick, but the ball sailed just wide. “I felt like I would’ve had (more), but a win is a win, and it’s one goal.”
Phoenix (0-7-1) got their first real chance of the game with a free kick in the 13th minute, but they could not take advantage of the opportunity. They were limited to just one shot on goal, by Ibrahim Hammadi, for the remainder of the game.
Fleming goalkeeper Gabriel Nadeau made six saves on the night, including a tough one in the 89th minute on Mpougiotis, reaching back and just tipping it over the crossbar.
Things got chippy in the second half, with each team earning a yellow card, but the victory was what mattered for the Colts.
“I would say it was very important to get this win,” said Okafor about the timely end to the losing streak. “We’re going to hope for the best and hope to get more wins for the next games.”