Nuke Soccer

VAUGHAN — This past weekend was packed with Ontario Cup Semi-Final Round action in fifteen different age divisions. The stage has been set for the Cup Finals, taking place on September 6, 7, 13, and 14 at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan. Here is a game by game recap of this past weekend’s action where games were played at Civic Stadium in Oshawa, Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke, Esther Shiner Stadium in North York, Hershey Centre in Mississauga and Rogers Field in Cambridge.

Under 12 Girls
Burlington Tornados – 4, Mississauga Falcons – 0
The first game of the day saw the Burlington Tornados handle the Mississauga Falcons 4-0. Burlington carried the play throughout the match, scoring two goals each half. Mississauga did manage to create some offense though, but Burlington goalkeeper Victoria Grundy was up to the challenge when she was needed. Burlington’s goalscorers were Deanna Lacombe, Nicole Brown, Nicole Berios, and Samantha Macorin.

Etobicoke Energy – 1, Glen Shields Sun Devils Red – 0
The second semi-final for the Under 12 Girls was a more tightly contested matchup when Etobicoke Energy and Glen Shields Sun Devils went at it. Both teams showed their quality in the attack, as well as defending, leaving no doubt that they both deserved to be in this game, and either team would have made a worthy Cup Finalist. In the end it was Etobicoke advancing on the game’s only goal, scored by Dajana Solomun in the 71st minute. Etobicoke goalkeeper Renee Donovan kept a clean sheet for her side to ensure the win.

The Burlington Tornados will face the Etobicoke Energy in the Ontario Cup Finals on September 7th at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan.

Under 12 Boys
Richmond Hill Raiders – 4, North Mississauga Panthers A – 2
In the first Semi-Final, Richmond Hill Raiders clashed with the North Mississauga Panthers A, but it was the Richmond Hill Raiders that grabbed the win, scoring 4 goals to North Mississauga’s 2 goals. Richmond Hill netted one goal in the first have by Philip Makinde, however, the next three goals all came in the second half and were scored by Troy Matthews, Austin Ricci, and Thomas Lex. North Mississauga Panthers goals were both credited to Ejiro Mrabure. His first goal was the first of the game, notched just 3 minutes into the match. His second goal was scored in the second half.

Mississauga Falcons A – 2, Brampton East Flames – 0
In the second Semi-Final, the Mississauga Falcons A shut out the Brampton East Flames 2-0. Mississauga’s Calvin Gomes opening the scoring for the Falcons at the 16th minute, and David Luis pocketed the other goal just a minute later. Brampton East was unable to find the back of the net through 90 minutes of play. The Mississauga Falcons A will match up against the Richmond Hill Raiders in the Ontario Cup Finals on September 6 at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan.

Under 13 Girls
Brampton Brams United Rebels – 2, Vaughan Azzurri – 0
The first Semi Final of the Under 13 Girls Division matched the Brams United Rebels against the Vaughan Azzurri. The Brams United Rebels affirmed it is ready for the Provincial Finals with its 2 – 0 win. The first goal was scored in the 37th minute by #19 Claudia Piazza, and the second in the 47th minute by #18 Ashley Lawrence.

Ajax Strikers – 4, St. Catharines Jets – 0
The second Semi Final of the Under 13 Girls Division was between the St. Catharines Jets and the Ajax Strikers. The Ajax Strikers took control of the game almost immediately, and never looked back. Four goals were split between two scorers for Ajax, # 8 Alexandria Lamontagne-Maycock for 2, and #16 Allessia Marzilli for 2. The final score was 4 – 0 for Ajax. The Ajax Strikers will play the Brampton Brams United Rebels in the Cup Final on Sepetember 13.

Under 13 Boys
London City Arsenal – 6, Oakville Red Devils – 0
The first Semi-Final in the Under 13 Boys division belonged to London City Arsenal as it took on the Oakville Red Devils and shut it out by a score of 6-0. The first half of this game was owned by London’s Massimo Basacco who scored all four first half goals. Basacco’s first two goals came at the 17th and 19th minute marks, but his second two goals were scored on penalty kicks, one at the 20th minute and the other at the 40th minute. Two more goals for London in the second half gave Oakville no chance of coming back. London’s Ryan Pereira and Dominic Szyszka scored at the 59th minute and 70th minute.

Erin Mills Eagles – 4, Mississauga Dixie Hurricanes – 0
The second Semi-Final for the Under 13 Boys was also a shut-out game as the Mississauga Dixie Hurricanes could not put a ball in the net and were defeated by the Erin Mills Eagles 4-0. Mark Wadid of the Erin Mills Eagles recorded the hat trick with goals at the 7th minute, 21st minute and 54th minute. The Eagles’ Ishan Rehal rounded out the scoring with the final goal of the game at the 79th minute. The Erin Mills Eagles will face the London City Arsenal in the Finals on September 13, at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan.

Under 14 Girls
Newmarket United – 4, Oshawa Kicks Raiders – 0
In the first game of the Under 14 Girls Semi Final, Newmarket United shut-out the Oshawa Kicks Raiders with a final score of 4 – 0. #14 Ashley Cambell and #19 Lashaunna Harper were the Newmarket scorers, each landing a pair of goals. Newmarket United will move on to the Ontario Cup Finals September 6 at The Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan.

Pickering Power Pythons – 1, Oakville Titans – 0
In the second game of the Under 14 Girls Semi Final, the Pickering Power Pythons stole a close margin win of 1 – 0 over the Oakville Titans. #16 Danielle Rotheram was the game’s lone scorer, sealing the deal and landing the Power Pythons a place in the Final against Newmarket United.

Under 14 Boys
Unionville Milliken Strikers Red – 4, Kitchener Spirit 94 – 0
This game was a fairly one-sided contest. Unionville was a strong side, controlling the game from the opening whistle. Jorgo Nika put Unionville up 2-0 at halftime with two first half goals. It was Mark Eydelman and Jalen Brome who rounded out the scoring for Unionville, while goalkeeper Adam Majer did what he needed to do to preserve the shutout.

Pickering Cougars – 1, Ajax Strikers – 0
Pickering took on Ajax in the later semi-final, and the fans were treated to another exciting and tightly contested affair. The first half ended without a goal, as goalkeepers Niko Giantsopoulos and Xander Huggins both made several key saves for their side. However, Pickering Cougars broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute when Keishon Alcindor-Barrett put his side ahead for good. Giantsopoulos kept things clean in goal to preserve the win for Pickering. The Pickering Cougars will go up against the Unionville Milliken Strikers Red in the Ontario Cup Final on September 6th as both teams vie for the opportunity to represent Ontario at the National Club Championships in October.

Under 15 Boys Tier 2
Scarborough Olympic Flame Colossus – 3, Weston Wolves – 2
In the first game of the Under 15 Boys Tier 2, the Weston Wolves faced off against the Scarborough Olympic Flame Colussus. This action packed match saw the Olympic Flame Colossus take the win with a score of 3 – 2. Weston Wolves #15 Nano Aburam and #2 Gonzalo Ayala kept the Wolves in the game with a goal a piece. But it wasn’t enough, as Olympic Flame Colussus players #11 Paolo Blandizzi, #7 Edrees Hashemi, and #5 Nicholas Karavanas took the lead and the win, sending them to the Ontario Cup Finals on September 13 at The Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan.

Oak Ridges Knights ‘North’ – 2, Windsor Caboto Strikers – 1
In the second game of the Under 15 Boys Tier 2, the Windsor Caboto Strikers met the Oak Ridges Knights ‘North’ in a battle for a spot in the Ontario Cup Finals. The intensity of this match can be noted in the 3 red cards and 5 yellow cards handed out by game’s end. Windsor Caboto Strikers # 9 Subomi Olobayo got the team on the scoreboard, but Oak Ridges Knights ‘North’ edged the Strikers out as #6 Domenico Gullo and #8 Robert Cammalleri scored a goal each, leaving the final score 2 – 1 for Oak Ridges. It will be a Scarborough Olympic Flame Colossus versus Oak Ridges Knight ‘North’ in the Cup Final.

Under 16 Girls
Burlington Sting – 5, Mississauga Falcons – 2
The Burlington Sting outscored the Mississauga Falcons 5-2 in the first Semi-Final at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke. Ten minutes into the game, the Falcons took the lead with a goal by Sonia Sampogna, but five minutes later, Burlington’s Jesse Shugg notched her first of two goals. Megan Rauscher then gave the Sting the go ahead goal at the 32nd minute, but Mississauga responded with a goal by Emma Mangialardi just two minutes later to tie it up. Nevertheless, the second half belonged to Burlington, scoring three more goals which Mississauga was unable to match. The Sting’s goals were scored by Meghan Bourque, Gabrielle Gilbert and Jesse Shugg.

Mississauga Dixie Gladiators – 2, North London Flash – 6
The second Semi-Final in the Under 16 Girls Division was also a high scoring affair, at least for the North London Flash. The Flash pounded in six goals to Dixie’s two through 90 minutes of play. London’s goals were credited to Samantha McGowan for two, Stephanie Clarke for two and Joane Odendaal and Alexandra Charlebois for one a piece. Dixie’s goalscorers were Jaslexie Thiara and Jessica Smith. The North London Flash will now face the Burlington Sting in the Provincial Championships on September 6th at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan.

Under 16 Boys Tier 1
North York Hearts Azzurri – 3, London City Juventus – 2
At Civic Stadium in Oshawa, the North York Hearts Azzurri edged past the London City Juventus 3-2 in the first Semi-Final of the division. London City’s Mark Thomson netted two goals for his team before being dismissed from the game after receiving two cautions. The North York Hearts Azzurri goals were scored by John Ashana, Joseph Galluzzo and Frank Damiano.

North York Spartacus – 0, Oakville Gunners – 1
Another close Semi-Final finished the day at Civic Stadium in Oshawa when the Oakville Gunners squeaked past the North York Spartacus 1-0. Alex Biafore scored the only goal of the game which ended up sending Oakville to the Ontario Cup Finals against the North York Hearts Azzurri on September 7th.

Under 16 Boys Tier 2
Niagara Falls Titans – 3, Mississauga Sharks – 1
Niagara Falls Titans and Mississauga Sharks met for the first Semi Final of the Under 16 Boys Tier 2 Division. Niagara Falls dominated the scoreboard with three goals in the game, scored by # 12 Jonathan Taylor, #15 Josh Suk, and # 21 Robert Chamberlain. The Mississauga Sharks could not quite keep up, as the team scored only one goal. This goal was scored by #8 Nathan Allen. The final score was Niagara Falls 3 – 1 over Mississauga.

Tecumseh Warriors -2, North Scarborough Sting – 1
The second game in the Under 16 Boys Tier 2 Division was between the North Scarborough Sting and the Tecumseh Warriors. Both teams were fighting for the win, and had a couple of good chances for goals. Tecumseh Warriors # 5 Daniel Gardonio and #12 David Merritt got the Warriors on the board with a goal each, and #17 Payman Azumi of the North Scarborough Sting had a goal. North Scarborough fought hard for the equalizer, but couldn’t deliver in the end. The final score was 2 – 1 for Tecumseh. The Niagara Falls Titans will take on Tecumseh Warriors in the Cup Finals on September 7th.

Under 17 Girls
Oakville Phantoms – 2, Kanata Wildcats – 1
In Sunday’s first game between Oakville Phantoms and Kanata Wildcats, both teams made it clear they were in it to win it and continue on to the Ontario Cup Finals in September. Kanata’s only goal was scored by #4 Dayna McInnis. Oakville’s #13 Tara Dawdy proved that the number thirteen is anything but unlucky as she scored the two goals for Oakville (the second in overtime), leaving them with the victory and a final score of 2 – 1.

Erin Mills Eagles B – 1, Ajax Invasion – 0
In the second Semi Final of the Under 17 Girls Division, the Ajax Invasion and Erin Mills Eagles B fought for a spot in the Ontario Cup Finals. Though the Erin Mills team is named at a B level, do not be misled in the team’s ability to take not only a win, but a shut-out. The Ajax Invasion could not capitalize on its chances, and it would be #14 Justine Glynn of the Erin Mills Eagles B to score the Eagles only goal, leaving a final score of 1 – 0 for Erin Mills. The Cup Final in this division will between the Oakville Phantoms and Erin Mills Eagles B on September 14.

Under 17 Boys Tier 1
Niagara Falls Titans – 1, Ottawa South United – 0
In the first Semi Final of the Under 17 Boys Tier 1 Division, Ottawa South United faced off against the Niagara Falls Titans. Out of the group stage in the Tournament Round, the Niagara Falls Titans of the Sout Region Soccer League Elite Division upset both the Woodbridge Strikers and the North Scarborough teams of the Ontario Youth Soccer League, gaining the Titans a Bye in the Quarter Finals and a spot in the Semi Finals. The Semi-Finals further tested the team as it was pitted against Ottawa South United Force of the Ontario Youth Soccer League. This match was tightly played and both teams were strong defensively. Play was equal in both ends, and the teams were well matched. Niagara Falls finally won the game with a goal by #18 Joshua Cullis, leaving the score at 1 – 0 for Niagara Falls.

Vaughan Azzurri – 3, Glen Shields – 3 (Glen Shields advances on kicks from the penalty mark, 3-1)
In the second Semi Final of the Under 17 Boys Tier 1 Division, the Glen Shields Sun Devils played against the Vaughan Azzurri. Playing short for the second half of the game, the Glen Shields Sun Devils made up some ground and tied the game 3 – 3. The match scorers for Glen Shields were #5 Pamir Muhammad, #23 Michael Simonetta, and #27 Michael Themelis. The goal scorers for Vaughan were #11 Karl-Sam Newell and #18 Daniel Hyun for 2. After two 15 minute periods of overtime, neither team had scored, sending the game into Kicks from the Penalty Mark to determine a winner. The Glen Shields Sun Devils outscored the Vaughan Azzurri 3 – 1 in Kicks from the Penalty Mark, which takes the team to the Ontario Cup Finals on September 13 where it will meet the Niagara Falls Titans.

Under 17 Boys Tier 2
Burlington Lions – 3, Scarborough Olympic Flame Spartans – 6
The Burlington Lions and Scarborough Olympic Flame Spartans took to the field in the first Semi-Final of this division. Olympic Flame’s Augustus Theodorou stole the show scoring three of the team’s six goals as it defeated the Lions 6-3. Scarborough’s other three goals were scored by Milos Paprica, Nickolaos Traikos and Kenny Vassilakakos. Burlington’s goals were credited to Carson Melicherik and Andrew Giacobbo who netted two.

Bolton Wanderers – 2, Woodbridge Strikers – 1
The Bolton Wanderers walked past the Woodbridge Strikers 2-1 in the second Semi-Final game held at Civic Stadium in Oshawa. The Woodbridge Strikers took the early lead with a goal fifteen minutes into the game by Joseph Pugliese and this lead was held for the duration of the first half. However, the second half of the game was a different story and Bolton quickly knotted the game with a goal by Adam Luke at the 47th minute mark. Dwayne Smith gave Bolton the game winner in the 63rd minute to send his team to the Provincial Championships where it will match up against the Olympic Flame Spartans on September 14th.

Women
North London Galaxy – 3, Erin Mills Eagles – 2
The first of the Women’s division semi-final saw Noth London Galxy take on the Erin Mills Eagles for a place in the Ontario Cup Final game. North London opened the scoring in the 9th minute through Rachel Wannek, for the 1-0 lead. Erin Mills had a response and then some, and it came from Stacey Warren who scored in the 37th, and again in the 48th minute. The lead was short lived for Erin Mills, as it was Wannek scoring again for North London, this time knotting the game at 2-2. Neither team could break the deadlock in regulation, so it was off to extra-time in search of a golden goal. In the 95th minute it was Emily Costello who clinched it for North London, sealing their place in the Final on September 7.

St Catharines Jets – 1, Ottawa Royals WP – 0
St Catharines Jets and Ottawa Royals met to determine the opponent for North London in the Women’s final, and like the earlier game it was a very even match. Both teams displayed their quality while keeping possession for long spells, and creating some great scoring chances as well, but both goalkeepers did their jobs to keep the game at 0-0 through the first half. That all changed in the 48th minute when St Catharines grabbed the lead through Jera Brook. Ottawa was unable to find a goal in the remaining time, and St Catharines held its 1-0 lead to clinch the victory and berth in the Finals on September 7.

Men
AEK London – 1, Ottawa St Anthony’s Premier – 0
In the first Men’s semi-final of the day, London AEK faced off with Ottawa St Anthony Premier on the turf at the Hershey Centre. The quality of the two sides was evident from the opening minute, as each team kept possession for long periods and created chances to score. Overall it was London enjoying most of the possesion and scoring chances in the opening half. The second half saw both teams slow their pace a bit as the temperature was rising. Ottawa kept more possession in the half, but again neither team could find a goal. This meant a golden goal or even kicks from the penalty mark would decide who would advance to the Ontario Cup Final. The game nearly ended quickly in the first extra time period, when London AEK striker Tom Kenagy was on the end of a cross and just needed to hit the open goal, but put the ball high. The game seemed to be destined for spot kicks, before Kenagy found redemption. After being put in on a break, he finished into the bottom right corner of the net to put AEK London into the Provincial Championships.

Real Toronto – 4, Hamilton Serbians – 0
The second Men’s semi-final saw Real Toronto take on Hamilton Serbians. The sun was beaming down on both teams from the opening minute, making this a very hot 90 minutes for both teams. The first half was fairly back and forth, though Real Toronto enjoyed more possession and created more scoring chances. Neither team could make one count before half, but the second half was a very different story. Real Toronto came out and absolutely dominated the second half, creating scoring chances regularly, and finishing four of them. Denny Velastegui, Desi Humphrey, Hayden Fitzwilliams, and Kadian Lecky supplied the goals for Real Toronto, and Brian Bowes denied any chances that Hamilton created. Bowes also created the second goal for Real after unleashing a 60 yard throw down the left side to create the break that was finished by Humphrey.

Masters Provincial Championships
The Semi-Finals of the Masters Provincial Championships were also played this past Saturday, August 23 at Civic Stadium in Oshawa. The two Semi-Final winners will vie in the Provincial Championships to advance to the National Masters Club Championships in October.

Scarborough GS United Masters – 3, Hamilton Croatia – 2
In the first match-up, Scarborough GS United Masters eked out a win against the Hamilton Croatia with a 3-2 score. The game winning goal was scored late in the second half by GS United to send the team to the Provincial Championship Finals. GS United goals were scored by Chris Handsor and Ricky Lee who pocketed two. The Hamilton Croatia goals were scored by Niko Zrno and Anto Musa.

Ottawa Capital United Express – 1, Markham Lightning – 2
The second game pitted the Markham Lightning against the Ottawa Capital United Express. However, it was the Markham Lightning that will go on to play Scarborough GS United Masters in the Championship game on September 6th at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan. Capital United was able to find the back of the net when Allan Popazzi slotted the ball past the Markham keeper, however, Markham’s Chris Rowe and John Diniz also found the back of the net behind the Capital United goalkeeper.