Soccer top kick knighted by CCAA
Jordi Amores ends five-year career with All-Canadian honours
Jordi Amores will have more than memories when he recalls a five-year, post-secondary career playing soccer at Niagara College.
Dwarfing tangible reminders that already included four Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) West Division all-star team selections was the All-Canadian accolade the Niagara Falls native received Tuesday night in Prince Edward Island.
Fittingly, the Knights captain shared credit for the prestigious honour with all the teammates he played with and all the coaches he played under at the college.
“Being the first soccer player at Niagara to win the All-Canadian award would not have been possible without my Knights family,” said Amores, who received the honour on the eve of the 2018 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association men’s soccer championships now underway in Charlottetown.
“I would like to express my humble and sincere gratitude to all my soccer teammates and coaches for all the support and trust they provided day in and day out.”
Amores, the 15th student athlete in Niagara history to earn All-Canadian honours, wraps up his post-secondary career as Niagara’s all-time leader in regular-season games played, with 44; all-time playoff goals, with five in nine post-season games.
His eight career goals place him fifth on the Knights’ all-time scoring list. Carlos Williams is tops with 15.
Amores didn’t hesitate when asked if we would trade all of those accolades for one medal at provincials.
“For sure, yea,” he said. “I would trade any personal award for a medal — gold medal, silver medal.
“That was the main goal every year, to win the whole thing.”
What Amores will miss most after five years playing for the Blue and White is the camaraderie.
“Definitely the family that we created and, of course, playing soccer every day.”
A 5-foot-8 midfielder adept at controlling play on both sides of the ball, Amores earned respect from opponents as well as team-
mates with a work ethic second-to-none and a calm, quiet demeanour.
“Every player and coach we have encountered, both on our own team and our opponents, remember and respect Jordi’s style and work ethic,” said Frank DeChellis, head coach in all of Amores’ five seasons with the Niagara men’s program.
The graduate of Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School in St. Catharines was successful in juggling academics and athletics while studying sales and marketing at the region’s community college. He also runs a business based in Niagara Falls, VegasClean Detail Cleaning Specialists.
“Jordi is a busy man juggling both his schooling and running his own business on top of playing soccer,” DeChellis said. “He took the responsibility of being named captain very seriously and moved himself into a mentorship position, where he was always encouraging teammates and employed constructive language in moments of frustration.”
Amores wasn’t a natural when it came to keeping so many balls in the air at once.
“It wasn’t easy at all,” he said. “You have to a big-time time-management ability, you have to be focused on everything you do.
“If you take everything step by step, concentrate on one thing at a time, it’s possible. It was a challenge, but I was able to do it and I think more people can do it, too.”
Associate director of athletics and recreation Michele O’Keefe said the college is “extremely proud” of Amores joining the select list of All-Canadians.
“Jordi exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete with his success both on and off the field.”
On the pitch Amores used his footwork to evade defenders and create scoring opportunities for his forwards. He was a disruptive force on defence frustrating the opposition’s attack from his midfield position.
This year Niagara enjoyed its mostsuccessful season to date in men’s soccer with seven victories in league play, good enough for a second-place finish in the West Division.
After going 7-2-1 in league play, the Knights earned the right to host a playoff qualifier. They made the most of it by doubling the Seneca Sting 2-1 earning a berth in the OCAA championship for the fourth year in a row.
At provincials Niagara opened with a 7-1 loss to the Humber Hawks, the eventual gold medallists, and dropped a 4-0 decision to the University of Toronto-Mississauga Eagles in the semifinals on the consolation side of the bracket.
Amores had some parting words for players who will be wearing the Knights jersey in the future: “Remember why you play. Play for yourself, play for your teammates and cherish every practice, every game and every season.
“It will be over sooner than you realize.”
He hopes to continue soccer playing soccer at a high competitive level after graduating from Niagara College. Hamilton will be getting one of the founding franchises in the new Canadian Premier League that is set to begin play next April, and Amores would like to try out for the team.