OSA Futsal Cup Produces Provincial Champions

Ontario Futsal Cup Produces Provincial Champions

VAUGHAN, ON – The Ontario Futsal Cup was played this past weekend, with divisions split between the HoopDome in Toronto, and RIM Park in Waterloo. Snow and wind would not dampen the teams’ spirits as they set their sights on the Provincial Championship.

The HoopDome played host to the Under 14 Girls Division, and the Under 16 Girls Division. After a round robin on the Saturday, the top two teams from the Under 14 Division advanced to the final and the top 4 teams from the Under 16 Girls Division advanced to the Semi and then the Final.

RIM Park hosted the Men’s and Women’s Division, both playing round robins on the Saturday, and a Final on the Sunday.

UNDER 14 GIRLS FINAL
The Under 16 Girls Final set the Vaughan Azzurri versus the Aurora Stingers. These two sides were clearly the class of their division, and they did not disappoint in the final, treating all in attendance to a thrilling game. The teams traded goals all game, with several lead changes, all the way to a 5-5 deadlock. In the end, it was two late goals for Vaughan that sealed the 7 – 5 victory for Vaughan. The goals scored were as follows:

Vaughan Azzurri:
#17 – Vanessa Sansone – 4 goals
#6 – Adeife Adekusibe – 2 goals
#15 – Jessica Panarese – 1 goal

Aurora Stingers:
#9 – Brooke Blogg – 1 goal
#14 – Marisa Bremner – 1 goal
#18 – Cassidy Davis – 1 goal
#13 – Anita Rayegani – 1 goal
#8 – Rio Speller Drews – 1 goal

UNDER 16 GIRLS FINAL
The Under 16 Girls Final saw the Nepean Hotspurs ’93 Devils against the Etobicoke Energy ’93. This was another back-and-forth affair producing high drama. Nepean opened up a 2-0 lead early, only for Etobicoke to answer back and tie the game by half time. The teams traded goals in the second half, but Etobicoke proved to have a bit more left in the tank, taking the championship with a 8-5 triumph. The goals scored were as follows:

Etobicoke Energy ’93:
#2 – Olivia Garcia – 4 goals
#9 – Amanda D’Amato – 3 goals
#10 – Kaitlin Burek – 1 goal
#3 – Brenelle D’Sousa – 1 goal

Nepean Hotspurs ’93 Devils:
#6 – Amanda Lewis – 2 goals
#17 – Shelby Raven – 2 goals
#21 – Georgia Karadimitriou – 1 goal
#2 – Sabrina Panuccio – 1 goal

WOMEN
It was a battle of Ontario, as the Toronto Eagles met the Ottawa Titans in the Ontario Futsal Cup Women’s Final at RIM Park in Waterloo. Both teams were strong possibilities for the title, making quite the impression during the previous day’s round robin. The game made promises of quick play, intricate footwork, and full out effort from both teams.

The Titans came out hard very early in the first half, as the game’s first two goals were scored within the first minute and a half of the game. In the first goal, Ottawa’s #8 Samantha Blais deaked-out the defender, sending the ball to the bottom corner of the net. Shortly after, Ottawa’s #12 Krystal Coulterman took a shot from just past the half, scoring the second goal of the game.

Toronto, seeing their opportunity, answered with a bullet from #21 Jackie Furtado into the far bottom corner. Ottawa, still on momentum from their early lead; gained advantage as #5 Marjorie Savoie shot through the legs of the defender and keeper. Toronto, keeping the score within their grasp, scored the next goals as #7 Keyla Moreno grabbed a rebound, made her way through a scramble, and to the goal. The score at the half was 3 – 2.

Toronto seemed to find their legs early in the second half as #7 Keyla Moreno fought for the ball in front of the net, made a quick turn and shot into the top corner. This was the equalizer they needed, as the following two goals were for the Toronto Eagles’ #21 Jackie Furtado. The first was scored off a corner, and then 5 minutes later, the second was scored off a long high pass, which she then turned and shot into the top corner.

Ottawa responded with a goal from #8 Samantha Blais, as she capitalized on the Toronto keeper unattended net. As the Toronto keeper came out to the half, and Blais stole the ball, scoring on the undefended net.

Toronto would maintain their lead for the remainder of the game, thus leading them to the Provincial title. The final score was 5 – 4, Toronto Eagles over the Ottawa Titans.

MEN
In another Toronto v. Ottawa Final, the Men’s Division matched the North Ottawa Geese against the Toronto Platense Juniors. Both teams were fresh off a strong round robin, though the Geese had the advantage, having previously beaten the Juniors 4 – 3.

The game got off to a fast start, with both teams creating good scoring chances. The fast-paced play, paired with the intense hunger for a win, made for an interesting first half. The first goal of the game was not scored until the 17th minute, when #7 Steve O’Kane executed a sideway bicycle kick, finding the sweet spot. What a goal!

In one of the tightest matches of the weekend, the score remained at 1 – 0 into the second half.

Only 45 seconds into the second half, Toronto #12 John Cardoso equalized on a tight angle shot into the top corner of the net. Ottawa #10 Semir Hadziresic answered not 15 seconds later with a run around the defender goal, regaining the lead. Ottawa scored again as #6 Jason Whiting took his turn at the sideways bicycle shot. Again, the Geese gained more ground, as #7 Steve O’Kane deflected the ball with his foot into the net.

Throughout the second half, there were some great opportunities for scoring and both keepers made beautiful acrobatic saves. The game was intense, and physical, leading both teams into trouble with fouls. Ottawa, past their 5 allowed fouls, found themselves in trouble, as Toronto benefitted on fouls that turned into kicks from the penalty mark.

With only one minute to play, Toronto #12 John Cardoso scored on a penalty kick, and with 30 seconds, Toronto #6 Alexander Radic scored from the penalty mark, bringing the score to 4 – 3. As would be expected, with so little time left, time would run out on the Toronto team, as the final score remained at 4 – 3, Ottawa over Toronto.