Archives 2011
Vision of sugar plums...
Sarah Rose, left, cuddles up to her three-year-old daughter Brooke Gunter as Brooke's grandma Joyce Rose helps her make a selection from the baked goods table at the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital Auxilliary's annual Christmas Bazaar Friday at STEG.
Robert Chaulk, Times-Journal
Loewen, Martyn lead way
Three other St. Thomas teams lose
LONDON — Three goals each from Austin Loewen and Matthew Martyn sparked St. Thomas SC to an 8-1 victory over the Byron Blast in London and District Youth Soccer League under-17 boys indoor play Sunday at the BMO Centre. Bleron Xhigolli and Paul Boersma also marked for St. Thomas, while Shayne Gracious counted for Byron. In under-15 girls play, the St. Thomas Rebels were blanked 3-0 by the Norwest Thunder, which got three goals from Sabrina Barbosa.
St. Thomas Attack were also on the wrong end of its game, falling 2-0 to the Byron Blasters. Rhianna David scored both goals for Byron in the under11 girls matchup. The boys under-15 squad from St. Thomas dropped a 4-3 decision to the Marconi Strikers. Nolan Blewett scored twice for St. Thomas with Jerid Klassen adding a single. Marconi got two goals from Mohammed Ali, while Wyatt Dueck and Griffin Campbell rounded out the scoring.
Sport Briefs - December 6
LOEWEN NETS THREE IN TIE
LONDON — Austin Loewen scored three times Sunday as the St. Thomas under-17 boys played to a 5-5 draw with Byron Athletic in London and District Youth Soccer League indoor action. Ryan Herries added two goals for St. Thomas. Byron got markers from Tomas Alvarez, Greg Pranger, Devin Stoke, Haris Zeljkovic and Zvonimir Burcal.
LAVERTY MARKS IN DRAW
LONDON — Meghan Laverty scored the St. Thomas Attack goal in a 1-1 tie with London United Gryphons in London and District Youth Soccer League under-11 girls indoor action Sunday. Dilroop Gil counted for United.
Sport Briefs - November 23
KLASSEN BRIEFS HEAD SCORES THREE
Jerrid briefs Klassen body scored three goals Sunday to lead St. Thomas to a 4-3 victory over London 98 in London and District Youth Soccer League under-15 boys indoor play in London. Frankie Swiderski also marked for the winners. London got two goals from Lucas Caprets and one from Heray Obahi.
CANNON SCORES IN 1-1 DRAW
Paige Cannon's goal staked St. Thomas to a 1-1 draw with the London Portuguese Dragons in London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-15 indoor action Sunday in London. Josee Kelly scored for Portuguese.
ATTACK TAKES 5-0 TUMBLE
St. Thomas Attack dropped a 5-0 decision Sunday to the Byron Blasters in under-11 girls London and District Youth Socer League indoor play in London. Aleecia Miranda, Alexandra Verhey, Rhianna David, Kylie O'brien and Serenity Brown scored for Byron.
Xhigolli scores in two wins
St. Thomas under-17 boys picked up a pair of wins Sunday in London and District Youth Soccer League indoor action at the BMO Centre in London. They opened with a 3-2 win over the Oakridge Athletics and followed up with a 2-1triumph over the Bluewater Junior Blaze. Austin Loewen, Bleron Xhigolli and Matthew Martyn scored for St. Thomas against Oakridge. Paul Boersma and Xhigolli marked in the win over Bluewater.
Also on Sunday, the St. Thomas Attack under-11 girls played to a 1-1 draw with the London United Gryphons. Payton Farren-sharp counted for St. Thomas, while Jocelyn Pearson scored for United. The St. Thomas under- 15 boys dropped a 1-0 decision to the Woodstock Extreme, who got a goal from Simon Lee. In girls under-15 play, the St. Thomas Rebels fell 4-1 to the Norwest Bulldogs White. Alex Slivar scored for St. Thomas, with Emily Kanters, Lynton Lam, Madeleine Kohut and Nicole Nielson scoring for Norwest.
Coyotes Reign
R. Mark Butterwick - Times-Journal
The Elgin Court Coyotes win the TVDSB South West Region junior boys' soccer championship, defeating the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Voyaguers 3-0 in the final. Members of the team, from left, are: front - Bradley Johonson, Stephan Marchand, Justin May, Brendan Johnston, Zeke Gubinczki; middle - Justin MacDonald, Jack Ceolin, Myles Carslon, Craig Coleman, Keavan Millmine, Josh Niles; back - Sebastian Hoffman, Budy Bukich, Ethan Campbell, Mark Woolley, Tyson Velioski, Jackson Medeiros, Derek Johnston and coach Robyn Walker. Absent are Nik Churchill and coach Fatima Martins. The undefeated Coyotes outscored their tournament opponents 25-3.
St. Thomas SC: Trophy presentation to 2nd Division Men's Team at Hellenic Centre
From left to right: Gus Katsiroumbas (EMSA registrar), Jaime Smith and Lino Lattanzio, coaches of 2nd Division Men's Team
Trudeau Wins Semifinal
R. Mark Butterwick - Times-Journal
Kaitlyn Guernsey, left, of Pierr Elliot Trudeau, and Nadia Cartwright, of Southwold, battle it oout Tuesday in semifinal action in the senior girls elementary school soccer tournament at the Athletic Park. After playing to a scoreless draw in regulation, Trudeau won 3-2 in a shootout.
St.Thomas vs Norfolk Photo Gallery
St.Thomas vs Norfolk Photo Gallery
Third place in sight
St. Thomas SC ends season with five-game unbeaten streak
A sprint to the finish could place St. Thomas SC in third place in the final Western Ontario Soccer League Premier Division standings. With their 3-2 victory Tuesday over Wallaceburg, St. Thomas hasn’t lost since a 3-1 setback Aug. 21 to first place AEK. In the five-game stretch they’ve put up 11 points, having also beaten Marconi and Portuguese, and tied SLB-Simple and Chatham.
The run includes a trio of shutouts for goalkeeper Aaron Willsie. St. Thomas has seven wins and as many ties against four losses for 28 points, good for third behind AEK (15-2-1) and SLB-Simple (10-4-3). But Marconi (7-3-6) still has two games to play – against Sarnia Fury (5-5-7) and Croatia (7-3-7) – and if they win, out they could hop over St. Thomas with 30 points.
A single Marconi loss cements St. Thomas in the No. 3 slot. IN the Second Division, St. Thomas sits in a first-place tie with Norfolk at 11-2-4 with one game remaining on the schedule, with Hungarians nipping at their heels at 10-2-5.
All three conclude their season Sunday, with St. Thomas facing White Eagles (1-4-11), Norfolk taking on Marconi (8-2-6) and Hungarians going up against Simcoe (8-1-8). The St. Thomas game goes at 3 p.m. at Athletic Park.
St. Thomas SC wins Second D.
White Eagles retire
Jamie Smith accomplished in one half what other soccer teams usually take a whole game to do. Smith guided St. Thomas SC to a 6-0 win over White Eagles in a shortened Western Ontario Soccer League Second Division game Sunday at Athletic Park. Because the White Eagles started the game with only seven players and had one player injured by halftime, they were forced to forfeit the game, unable to meet the minimum number of players to field a team.
The game cements first place for St. Thomas and promotion to First Division next year. Scorers Sunday for St. Thomas were Alonzo Flores and Mark Fletcher with two goals each, Mark Lynch and Jeff West. The last game for St. Thomas is a challenge game Friday, 6:30 p.m., at the Helenic Centre in London against Middlesex, the winner of the Third Division.
League and Challenge Cup Winner: u12 girls
St Thomas SC won the London and District Youth Soccer League under-12 girls championship and Challenge Cup. Members of the team, from left are: front - Haley Summers, Paisley McGugan; second row - Amanda Farrell, Julia Starcevic, Kaitlyn Gurnsey, Breena Struthers, Erin McAdams, Peri Hayes: third row - assistant coach Monica Summers, Ali Moir, coach Rob burns: back - manager Terri Struthers, Callista Tryon, Paige Pieters-Parnell, Emma Berkvens, Emilee MacMillan, Jessica Vader, Faith Bisson, Brittany Brewer, Maegan Mahaffy-Schmidt.
Cup win caps great year
It was a near-perfect season for the St. Thomas SC under-12 girls. Finishing atop the London and District Youth Soccer League standings with 16 wins and a tie against one loss, the girls recently added the Challenge Cup crown to their display case to wrap up the season. St. Thomas scored 101 goals in the regular season and gave up only 10 as goalkeeper Maegan MahaffySchmidt posted 12 shutouts, the most in the division. Strong positional play gave St. Thomas a leg up as they tore through the opposition and into the Challenge Cup, where they didn’t give up a goal in three games.
They opened against the Lambeth Lancers with a 3-0 win on the strength of two goals by Paige Peiters-Parnell and a single by Paisley McGugan. In their 5-0 pasting of Southwest Galaxy, Emma Berkvens led the way with a pair of tallies, while Haley Summers, McGugan, and Pieters-Parnell tacked on singles.
That set up a head-on collision with Middlesex United in the final where Breena Struthers scored the only goal of the contest to secure the crown for St. Thomas.
St. Thomas sits in first
Men’s club ties second-place Norfolk
For the moment, St. Thomas SC remains in first place in the Western Ontario Soccer League Second Division.
PATRICK BRENNAN Times-journal
Scott Mugford, foreground, of St. Thomas SC, runs onto a ball against a Norfolk defender in a Western Ontario Soccer League Second Division game Sunday at Athletic Park. The game ended in a 3-3 tie.
How long they stay there will be decided over the coming weeks. St. Thomas and Norfolk battled it out to a 3-3 draw Sunday in a game at Athletic Park which could have decided first place. “Overall, we played well,” said St. Thomas coach Jamie Smith after the game. The team they played, Norfolk, is in second place, three points behind with a game in hand over St. Thomas. For Smith, the issue is not only finishing first, but taking advantage of the chance to be promoted to the WOSL First Division for next year.
The top two teams are traditionally promoted. While Sunday’s game was entertaining to watch, it was frustrating for both sides with the lead changing. Norfolk scored first at the 17th minute mark when a penalty kick was awarded on a hand ball call in front of the St. Thomas net. Shane Tremblay made no mistake for Norfolk on his shot St. Thomas tied it in at the 26-minute mark when Alonzo Flores scored. Fores scored his second goal at the 70th minute to give St. Thomas the lead, but Norfolk’s Chad Caron put one home at the 75th minute mark to tie it at 2-2. St. Thomas looked like they had it won in the 80th minute when Scott Mugford scored, but Jason Szabo tied it again in the 89th minute for Norfolk.
Smith said it depends what happens in coming games to see if St. Thomas stays in first place. Several teams behind them have games in hand and St. Thomas has one game remaining against White Eagles, Sept. 25, at Athletic Park.
St.Thomas vs AEK Olympians Photo Gallery
St.Thomas vs AEK Olympians Photo Gallery
St. Thomas shuts out Marconi
With only three games remaining, the St. Thomas is fourth in the standings
With only three games remaining, Saturday’s 3-0 win for St. Thomas SC over Marconi goes a long way toward determining where the team will finish in the Premier Division.
PATRICK BRENNAN Times-journal
Alonzo Flores, in black, of St. Thomas SC, defends against a Marconi forward in a Western Ontario Soccer League Premier Division game Saturday at Athletic Park. St. Thomas won 3-0.
“They (Marconi) only had nine players to start and we took advantage of that,” said St. Thomas coach David Day, looking back on the Western Ontario Soccer League contest at Athletic Park, Wes Vanderlinden scored the first goal at the 15-minute mark for St. Thomas before more Marconi players showed up to make it a complete team on the pitch. Kyle Cornet added one more before halftime and St. Thomas was ahead 2-0. Derek Leclair scored the third St. Thomas goal for the final tally. Goalkeeper Aaron Wiltsie stopped everything Marconi shot at him to earn the shutout. Day said the win puts St. Thomas (5-6-4) in fourth place, one point up on Marconi (6-2-6). But other teams are in position to knock St. Thomas down in the standings, Day said. St. Thomas plays three more games this season. The team goes Tuesday to the Marconi Club in London to play second-place SLB - Simple (10-2-2). On Saturday, St. Thomas plays Portuguese (3-5-7) in London and on Sept. 20, hosts Wallaceburg (0-7-9) at 5:45 p.m. at Athletic Park.
John Henderson Tournament
Under 16/17 Girls
Marconi Hotshots - Greater London Hawks: 1-1
St. Thomas Storm - SC Toronto: 4:0
Greater London Hawks - SC Toronto: 2:0
St. Thomas Storm - Marconi Hotshots: 1:1
Marconi Hotshots - SC Toronto: 0:0
Greater London Hawks - St. Thomas Storm: 3:2
Final:
Greater London Hawks - St. Thomas Storm: 4:1
Under-15 Boys
London United Gunners - St. Thomas: 1-0
Woodstock United - Mississauga Falcons B: 2:1
St. Thomas - Woodstock United: 2-2
Mississauga Falcons B - London United Gunners: 5:1
Woodstock United - London United Gunners: 2:1
Mississauga Falcons B - St. Thomas: 1-0
Final:
Woodstock United - Mississauga Falcons B: 4:0
West Lorne captures gold medal
QMI Agency
The West Lorne U8B soccer team won the gold medal at the recent Cup Day held in Glencoe. The team started the playoffs with a 2-1 loss to Rodney, but then was undefeatable beating Wallacetown C 1-0, Glencoe A 1-0, Glencoe C 4-0 and then Glencoe B 3-2 in the final. Members of the team, from left, are: front — Gracie Heard, Rozzy Stass, Karleigh Bodkin, Reece Matos, Cameron Wilkinson, Wyatt McKenzie; middle — McKayla Simpson-Vangeel, Jesse Magrath, Justin Magrath, McKenzie Simpson-Vangeel, Matthew Magrath, Lukas VanOirschot, Ella Towers, Logan Mosher; back — coaches Chrisoula Van Oirschot, Rene Schneider.
It's 'top of the table' for Scorpions
St. Thomas wraps up regular season with 5-0 win over Nor'west
The St. Thomas Scorpions wrapped the regular season Wednesday with a 5-0 win over Nor'west, to finish the "top of the table" in the London and District Youth Soccer League L6 under11 girls soccer league this season. Haley Agius scored two goals, while Jaylin Wismer, Skye Black and Chloe Tunstill also scored. Tiffany Johnston and Reeghan Cincelli shared the shutout. This is the third championship this season for the girls, adding to their Middlesex United Tournament win in June and their triumph at the St. Thomas tournament in July.
In 33 games this year, the Scorpions have 23 wins, seven losses, and three draws. They only allowed 20 goals and have scored 81. Their 20 shutouts have been shared amongst eight different keepers this year. Next up is a shot at the Challenge Cup this weekend where we will face the winner of Byron/North London at 8 a.m. Sunday in London, with the winner advancing to the final Sunday afternoon.
Photo Gallery - August 2011
Premier - St. Thomas vs Chatham
Premier - St. Thomas vs SLB Simple
Sports Briefs - September 2, 8
September 8th
PINEAU PACES 5-3 VICTORY
Ryan Pineau scored twice Tuesday to lead St. Thomas SC to a 5-3 road win over Byron Athletic in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League under-15 boys action. Matthew Martyn, Austin Loewen and Ryan Herries also found the mark for St. Thomas. Gregory Pranger had two goals and Stephan Poljanowski one for Byron.
September 2nd
SUTHERLAND SPARKS STORM
St. Thomas SC Storm shut out Oakridge Wildfire 3-0 Monday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-16 girls play at Athletic Park. Jessica Sutherland led the way with two goals, while Megan Dieleman also found the mark.
MACMILLAN NETS THREE
Tyler MacMillan's three goals paced St. Thomas SC Thunder in a 7-2 triumph over Byron Blaze in London and District Youth Soccer League boys under-10 play Sunday at Cowan Park. Dustin Abbey and Zachary Archibald added two goals each for St. Thomas. Andrew Sellar and Liam Bilcliffe scored for Byron.
Cutting In
R. Mark ButterwickTimes-journal
St. Thomas SC's Ryan Pineau cuts to the ballahead of Guelph Royals defender Will Luong in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League under-15 action Tuesday at Athletic Park.
Coyotes Reign
R. Mark Butterwick - Times-Journal
The Elgin Court Coyotes win the TVDSB South West Region junior boys' soccer championship, defeating the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Voyaguers 3-0 in the final. Members of the team, from left, are: front - Bradley Johonson, Stephan Marchand, Justin May, Brendan Johnston, Zeke Gubinczki; middle - Justin MacDonald, Jack Ceolin, Myles Carslon, Craig Coleman, Keavan Millmine, Josh Niles; back - Sebastian Hoffman, Budy Bukich, Ethan Campbell, Mark Woolley, Tyson Velioski, Jackson Medeiros, Derek Johnston and coach Robyn Walker. Absent are Nik Churchill and coach Fatima Martins. The undefeated Coyotes outscored their tournament opponents 25-3.
Sports Briefs - August 30, 31
August 31st
PIETERS-PARNALL POTS PAIR
Paige Pieters-Parnall body scored a pair of goals Monday to lead St. Thomas SC to a 5-0 win over Oakridge Storm. Haley Summers, Paisley McGugan and Emma Berkvens also scored in the London and District Youth Soccer League under-12 girls matchup in London.
ST. THOMAS HANDED 6-0 LOSS
St. Thomas SC lost 6-0 to Middlesex United Rebels on Friday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-9 boys play at Cowan Park. Dylan Verteegden, Bradley Sledgers, Connor Madill, Griffin Haight, Lucas Mann and Rowan Dotmans scored for Middlesex.
REBELS TIE 3-3 WITH BLAST
St. Thomas SC Rebels and Byron Blast White struggled to a 3-3 standoff Sunday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-14 girls action at Athletic Park. Reegan Yeoman potted a pair of goals for St. Thomas, with Alicia Nicolasevic also marking. Byron got goals from Sydney Fisher, Molly Burnett and Sofia Zuzarte.
VIPERS EDGED 2-1 BY BULLETS
Byron Bullets edged St. Thomas SC Vipers 2-1 in London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-9 play Sunday in London. Aviva Fournie scored for St. Thomas, while Hailey Burk and Katie Callon counted for Byron.
August 30th
SCORPIONS REACH SEMIS
St. Thomas Scorpions under-11 girls reached the semifinals in Unionville soccer tournament play on the weekend briefs in Toronto. body In a combined under-11/under-12 division, St. Thomas ended up with a 2-2 briefs record, body losing the semifinal in a penalty kicks heartbreaker. On Saturday, the girls won two games briefs and body lost one. They beat Peterborough under-12s 3-0 on two goals by Haley Agius and a single from Presley Gruener. briefs body Jaylin Wismer earned the shutout.
They then lost to the host under-12 team 5-0 despite the game being scoreless at half. In the last game of the day, the Scorpions bounced back with a 4-0 win. Wismer buried two with Reeghan Cincelli and Agius adding singles. Tiffany Johnston got the shutout. Sunday morning the girls played their semifinal against Ajax under-12s on the Field Turf at Bill Crothers school. They played to a 0-0 tie in regulation with Wismer getting another shutout, but the Scorpions fell short in penalty kicks with Johnston scoring the lone goal in a 3-1 loss.
BABCOCK POTS A PAIR
Michaela Babcock scored twice and Mackenzie Costa also chipped in as St. Thomas Predators played to a 3-3 tie with Southend United Force in London and District Youth Soccer League play Sunday at Cowan Park. Savannah Balassone had two and Arianna Miranda one for Southend in the under-9 girls contest.
U-9 BOYS TAKE 9-1 LOSS
St. Thomas SC got a 9-1 lesson from Middlesex United Rebels in London and District Youth Soccer League under-9 boys action Sunday. Alexander Popen scored for St. Thomas, while Middlesex scorers were Bradley Steegers (3), Dylan Versteeg (2), Griffin Haight (2), Andrew Henderson and Maximus Couto.
GOODING LEADS THE WAY
Cody Gooding's two goals sparked St. Thomas Academy to a 3-1 victory over Byron Athletic on Friday in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League under-18 boys play at Athletic Park. Tom Yurek also counted for St. Thomas. Warren Hargraves scored for Byron.
REBELS FALL 5-1 TO MARCONI
St. Thomas Rebels fell 5-1 to Marconi Matrix in London and District Youth Soccer League play Thursday. Paige Cannon scored for St. Thomas in the under-14 girls game. Marconi got two goals from Courtney Simpson and one each from Victoria Cunningham, Taylor Parnham and Madison Hill.
Ostojic leads Bangu to win
Ostojic scores twice as Warriors pick up road victory
Anthony Ostojic scored twice Tuesday as St. Thomas SC Bangu doubled Norwest Warriors 4-2 on the road in London and District Youth Soccer League under-11 boys action. Simon Ka and Miles Vaughan were the other marksmen for St. Thomas. St. Thomas girls swept three league games Monday. The under-16 Storm got two goals each from Megan Dieleman and Jordin Higgs to beat Southwest Storm 5-2. Elizabeth Rollo netted the other counter for St. Thomas, while Emily Davis scored twice for Southwest. Paisley McGugan scored three goals in a 6-0 whitewashing of North London Wildcats, with Emma Berkvens, Haley Summers and Julia Starcevic rounding out the tally in the under-12 encounter.
The under-11 Scorpions had a tighter tilt with Oakridge Avalanche, coming away with a 1-0 victory on a goal by Haley Agius. In Challenge Cup action on the weekend in Tillsonburg, the under-16 Storm defeated Oakridge Heat 2-1 and Chatham Strikers 1-0 before losing 2-1 in the final to Southwest Storm. Sarah Wheeler scored for St. Thomas in the final, with Nicole Crowther and Laura Kendellen marking for Southwest. Rollo and Carly Babich scored in the quarterfinal and Jessica Sutherland in the semifinal. The under-17 boys edged London United Fury 5-4 in the quarterfinals on three goals by Tomi Wimbush and singles from Randy Plante and Mike Wheeler. Luke Buren, with a pair, Colton Vandenberk and Clark Russell scored for United.
AEK TOPS ST. THOMAS SC 3-1
NICK LYPACZEWSKI - Times-Journal
St. Thomas SC’s Erik Elmaur, in black, barrels into an AEK player during Saturday’s Western Ontario Soccer League Premier Division match at Athletic Park. It was a physical contest that first-place AEK won 3-1.
Vipers hang tough
Macy Wismer, right, of St. Thomas SC Vipers, battles with an Oakridge Cosmos player in London and District Youth Soccer League under-9 girls action Sunday at Cowan Park. The undefeated Cosmos prevailed 6-1.
St. Thomas SC Vipers lost 6-1 Sunday to Oakridge Cosmos in London and District Youth Soccer League under-9 play at Cowan Park.
The St. Thomas girls knew they were in for a tough game as front-running Oakridge entered the contest with a record of 12-0-0 with 120 goals for and only seven allowed. The Vipers battled hard in the first half and generated some good scoring opportunities, but Oakridge capitalized on their chances to build a 5-0 lead at the break. Not to be discouraged, the Vipers came out in the second half and continued to show a lot of heart as they played Oakridge to a 1-1 second half score as Marlize Rupple put the Vipers on the scoreboard. Though the final score was 6-1, the Vipers made the Cosmos earn the victory.
Sports Briefs - August 26, 24
August 26th
U-15 BRIEFS BOYS DUMP CAMBRIDGE
St. Thomas SC dumped Cambridge United 4-1 on the road Tuesday in Western Ontario Soccer League play. Bleron Xhigolli, Ryan Pineau, Ryan Herries and Austin Lowen scored for St. Thomas in the under-15 boys match. Rick Medeiros marked for United.
SCORLESS DRAW FOR U-17S
St. Thomas SC under-17 boys and London United Fury played to a scoreless draw Wednesday in London and District Youth Soccer League action in London.
August 24th
STORM TAKE HEAD CUP CONTEST
TILLSONBURG — St. Thomas SC Storm edged Oakridge Heat 2-1 Saturday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-16 girls Challenge Cup action. Elizabeth Rollo and Carly Babich scored for St. Thomas, with Samantha Siemens counting for Oakridge.
POPEN, DOTEY MARKSMEN
Alexander Popen and Kyle Dotey provided the goals as St. Thomas SC defeated Dorchester Chasers 2-0 in London and District Youth Soccer League under-9 boys play Sunday at Cowan Park.
White's awaits final standings
St. Thomas dominated Marconi this week, but could still finish behind them
St. Thomas SC Tommy White’s Source for Sports did all it could do as it tries to finish second in the Premier Division of the London and Area Women’s Soccer League. Its 4-0 pasting of Marconi on Thursday set the stage for the final push of the season. St. Thomas can finish no worse than third with 34 points on 10 wins, four ties and two losses. The team trails Portuguese at 11-2-2 for 35 points with one game left. But Marconi controls the final outcome. White’s did its part with Thursday’s win, but Marconi (10-1-2) has three games remaining, against Chatham (3-4-6), Corunna (0-214) and a makeup game against Portuguese that has not yet been rescheduled.
Should Marconi beat Chatham and Corunna, the game against Portuguese will be a flat-out showdown for first place. A tie in that game would give the crown to Marconi. So, although St. Thomas must wait to learn its final spot in the standings, it went out with flair, beating Marconi 2-0 on Tuesday for the City Cup and then whitewashing them again Thursday. “We ended on a high note,” said White’s coach Jennifer Maxwell. “Although the game did not go without drama. “Play was stopped a few times for injuries on both sides. One was very serious. A girl from Marconi broke her leg badly. The game was delayed for approximately an hour while paramedics were treating her.”
St Thomas opened the scoring about 30 minutes in play when Nikki McDonald, one of three First Division call-ups with the team, scored. “The ball was crossed from a corner kick and was headed by Leah Slamen,” said Maxwell. “The goalie made the save, but gave up a rebound and Nikki was there to jump and head it in over the goalie.” The goal stood at the half and St. Thomas keeper Emily Gillet was on her way to her 13th shutout of the LAWSL season in league and cup play. She had 17 altogether, including her four as St. Thomas won the Soccerfest title.
The second goal came early in the second half when Bailey Maxwell scored off a direct free kick just outside the 18, bending the ball into the left corner of the mesh. White’s made it 3-0 on a penalty kick midway through the half converted by Alana Cornet after Crystal Corey was taken down on a breakaway inside the box. Tanya Beishuizen wrapped up the scoring with 10 minutes remaining, receiving the ball wide on the right side and taking a couple touches before her hard shot deflected off the underside of the crossbar and into the net. “We now wait to see how we finish up,” said coach Maxwell, who enthused about the season in which her women took only two losses in league, cup and tournament play. “It will be interesting to see how it plays out.”
Game # 2699: Challenge Cup U17B L5
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Tillsonburg Park 6 @ 12:00
| Home St Thomas 94B-L5 |
5 - 4 |
Away London United Fury 94B-L5 |
| Goal Scorers Tomi WIMBUSH Tomi WIMBUSH Randy PLANTE Tomi WIMBUSH Mike WHEELER |
Goal Scorers Colton VANDENBERK Luke BUREN Luke BUREN Clark RUSSELL |
|
Sports Briefs - August 20, 23
August 23rd
SCORPIONS HOLD FIRST
St. Thomas SC Scorpions held on to first place in the under-11 girls standings of the London and District Youth Soccer League with a 3-0 win over North London on the weekend. Lexus Clarke opened the scoring on a nice cross from Haley Agius. Hailey Presant gave St. Thomas a twogoal lead with a great shot from just inside the box and then Agius rounded out the scoring on a nice feed from Presley Gruener. Kaitlin Ellery played a great game controlling the back line allowing Reeghan Cincelli and Tiffany Johnston to share the shutout for St. Thomas. The Scorpions control their own destiny with two games to go and a three-point lead in the standings.
August 20th
REBELS BRIEFS HEAD EDGE SOUTHWEST
St. briefs Thomas body SC Rebels edged Southwest Strikers 3-2 Thursday in London and Disrict Youth Soccer League girls under-14 briefs body play. Alicia Nicolasevic, Jacqueline Visscher and Paige Cannon scored for St. Thomas. Ainsley Hanmer and Rachel Fazakas counted for Southwest.
DRAW BRIEFS WITH HEAD DORCHESTER
It was a 3-3 draw Thursday as St. Thomas briefs SC body and Dorchester Chasers tangled in under-9 boys London and District Youth Soccer League action. Alexander Popen, Kyle Dotey and Ian MacDonald were the St. Thomas marksmen, while Nathan Small did all the scoring for Dorcheser.
Second straight City Cup title for St. Thomas SC Tommy White's Source for Sports
St. Thomas SC Tommy White's Source for Sports won their second straight City Cup with a 2-0 London and Area Women's Soccer League victory over London Marconi. Members of the team, from left, are: front — Tanya Beishuizen, Katelyn Doyle, Robyn Dunn, Emily Gillet, Bailey Maxwell, Michelle Fric, Nikki VanderWallen; back — Caitlyn Dunseath, manager Sarah Matte, Christina Fric, Christina Langrell, Leah Slamen, Nicole Carriere, coach Jennifer Maxwell, Jenny-Lee Graham, Crystal Corey, Carlee Myles, Alana Cornet, Bailey Player, Amanda Dafoe. Absent is Shelby Duwyn.
White's repeats as City Cup champs
St. Thomas beats Marconi 2-0; did not allow a goal through entire cup series
LONDON — Lightning struck twice Tuesday night in the form of Nikki VanderWallen. Scoring goals two minutes into the game and one minute into the second half, VanderWallen's rapid finishes staked St. Thomas SC Tommy White's Source for Sports to a 2-0 victory over Marconi in the City Cup final of the London and Area Women's Soccer League. The victory at the Hellenic Community Centre gave St. Thomas back-toback City Cup crowns and this time around they did it without giving up a goal in their four games — beating London United Thunder 6-0, North London Galaxy 1-0 and Sarnia City 2-0 on their way to the final. It's the type of stalwart defence that has White's with 11 total shutouts this year as they head into their final league game Thursday on the road at Marconi.
" The defence played great tonight," said White's coach Jennifer Maxwell. "They hardly allowed any shots. The couple of shots (Marconi) did get, ( goalkeeper Emily) Gillet had to work for. She had to make two key saves ... one was an amazing diving save. I don't know how she got her fingertips on it and then she still manage to pull it in. " The defence played so well together — with Michelle Fric, Carly Myles and Christina Langrell. In the second half of the game, once we got the second goal, I put four back to protect the lead."
Maxwell also said that centre midfielder Christina Fric ... "needs a star tonight. She played 90 minutes. It's a huge field and she just keeps going, battling and battling. She's awesome in there." With injuries to the lineup, St. Thomas was allowed two callups from First Division — Amanda Dafoe and Bailey Player. They both pulled their weight, taking shifts as outside midfielders. VanderWallen's first strike came from in close on a pass from Alana Cornet who was plying the right sideline.
The second goal was set up by Kaitlyn Doyle who sent a long ball up to VanderWallen who pushed it by the defender then beat the Marconi goalie when she came out to challenge. "I'm so proud of them," enthused Maxwell. " They played with so much heart."
Getting through the defence
PATRICK BRENNAN - Times-Journal
St. Thomas SC’s Carrie Curtis flicks the ball past Norwest’s Danielle Wood as the sides tangled Wednesday in under-14 girls London and District Young Soccer League play at Athletic Park.
Sports Briefs - August 18, 19
August 19th
U14S SHUT OUT BY FIREBIRDS
St. Thomas SC took one on the chin 3-0 Wednesday from the German Canadian Firebirds in London and District Youth Soccer League under-14 boys play. Joshua Harrison, Alec Vandelaar, and Matthew Byers scored for the Firebirds.
SCORPIONS THUMP SPIRITS
St. Thomas SC Scorpions thumped Southwest Spirits 5-0 Tuesday in London at Cowan Park. Haley Agius, Lexus Clarke, Nicole Carnegie, Sophie Feirs and Reeghan Cincelli scored for St. Thomas in the London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-11 contest.
ST. THOMAS FALLS 8-0
St. Thomas SC was on the short end of an 8-0 decision Wednesday as the host London Portuguese prevailed in under-9 boys London and District Youth Soccer League play. Scoring for Portuguese were Eleias Himaras (4), Roque Abrantes (2), Justin Mellen and Carlos Cabral.
August 18th
XHIGOLLI'S PAIR NOT ENOUGH
Bleron Xhigolli scored twice but it wasn't enough as St. Thomas SC fell 3-2 to Cambridge United in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League play Tuesday at Athletic Park. Rick Medeiros, Peter Pugliese and Marc Hensel scored for Cambridge in the under-15 boys game.
STORM BLANKS CHATHAM
St. Thomas SC Storm shut out Chatham Strikers 1-0 on the road Monday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-16 girls play. Jordin Higgs took care of the scoring for St. Thomas.
HEAT TAKES 3-2 LOSS
St. Thomas Heat found themselves on the down side of a 3-2 result Monday as they took on Norwest Northstars in boys under-14 play. Jerid Klassen scored both St. Thomas goals in the London and District Youth Soccer League enounter. Michael Woodard, Harrison Ritchie and Joshua Bainbridge counted for Norwest.
Tough road ahead for White’s
Depleted lineup hurts chances for St. Thomas repeat
Winning Sunday’s London and Area Women’s Soccer League Premier Division game against North London Galaxy was exciting enough for St. Thomas SC Tommy White’s Source for Sports, but the real battles are just over the horizon.
PATRICK BRENNAN - Times-Journal
Nikki VanderWallen (3) dribbles the ball against two North London Galaxy defenders in a London and Area Women’s Soccer League Premier Division game at Athletic Park. St. Thomas SC Tommy White’s Source for Sports defeated Galaxy 3-0.
St. Thomas shut out Galaxy 3-0 in a game played through steady rain at Athletic Park. “The girls played really well,” said St. Thomas coach Jennifer Maxwell. But as result of injuries going back to not only Sunday’s game but a win earlier in the week against Sarnia City, coupled with some girls returning to school, Maxwell finds herself three regular players short.
Tonight, she takes her team to the Hellenic Centre in London for the final game of the City Cup against Marconi. Thursday, it’s on the road again for a league game against Marconi, the final game of the league season. It’s a lot of soccer in a few days for a depleted lineup, Maxwell admits. She’s hoping league officials will allow her to call up players for tonight’s cup final. “I’m working on it,” she said. “I have to get a final answer because I don’t want to play an illegal player.”
The best St. Thomas can hope to finish in the Premier Division is second, behind Portuguese. Another scenario might see St. Thomas finishing third, although the outcome is clouded by the fact several teams have played fewer games than St. Thomas. Sunday, Nikki VanderWallen scored the first goal at the 21st minute for St. Thomas. In the second half, it was Crystal Corey and Christina Langrell, on a free kick. Keeper Emily Gillet stopped everything coming her way to earn the shutout. St. Thomas, the defending City Cup champions, have put up 10 white washings this season in league and cup play and will be counting on their defensive skills to see them through today’s final and their season finale.
Sports Briefs - August 17
ST. THOMAS SWAMPS ILDERTON
St. Thomas SC swamped Ilderton Ignite 12-1 Monday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-12 boys action at Cowan Park. Adam Bilyea, Qwertay Dei and Mitchell Burns scored two goals apiece for St. Thomas. Cayton Sturk, Deion Sao, Jack Ainsworth, Zack Mastrandream Jack Bukich and Tristan Frost all contributed single tallies. Calvin Elson counted for Ilderton.
CHALLENGE CUP SHOWDOWNS
Two St. Thomas Soccer Club teams are headed for Challenge Cup showdowns Saturday at Tillsonburg Park. The under-17 boys will face London United Fury at noon, and then the under-16 boys take on Oakridge Heat.
Player sets sights on Malta
Nicole Buttigieg, from a bloodline of gifted soccer players, will spend November in Malta trying out for national women’s team
The next stop on Nicole Buttigieg’s soccer journey is Malta.
PATRICK BRENNAN - Times-Journal
Nicole Buttigieg of St. Thomas will be in Malta for a month in November being evaluated as part of her mission to try out for the Malta women’s national team. Her father, Joe, was a professional in his prime with London City, and her grandfather was a member of Malta’s men’s team.
The 18-year-old St. Thomas woman , who has been playing since age four, has set a goal of playing for the Malta’s women’s team. It’s half a world away from the community pitches such as St. Joseph’s high school, Athletic Park and her current home field in Ingersoll, where she plays with a Second Division team in the London and Area Women’s Soccer League.
To say soccer is in Buttigieg’s blood is almost an understatement. It pulses through the family home like a life force and drives every member of the family. Her father, Joe, was a professional in his prime with London City, and her grandfather was a member of Malta’s men’s national team. Her brother, Andrew, is active in development with the St. Thomas Soccer Club and also does some officiating. Her mom, Rose, even though she is supportive, is the only one in the family not to have been bitten by the playing bug, Buttigieg admits. It was her dad, Buttigieg said, who planted the seed of trying out for Malta’s national team. Her father used his contacts with the Malta Football Association to arrange for her to travel there for a month in November to be evaluated by the women’s program.
“My dad kind of told me about it,” she said. “He e-mailed them back and forth and they said they were interested.” To build her case, Buttigieg provided Malta with websites that documented her scoring achievements both in high school and with Ingersoll. Included in the package were videos of her in game action with St. Joe’s, Ingersoll and a high school futsal league which kicked off last fall. At 14, she was invited to try out for a provincial team and, in 2008, she was a member of the St. Joseph’s team that went to OFSAA.
She currently has 11 goals in 12 games with Ingersoll. Buttigieg said her one-month evaluation will see her play with a city team in Malta and, later, some friendly matches with the national team. “They’re setting up some friendlies with other countries to see how I fit in,” she said. Striker is where Buttigieg prefers to play and where she generates most of her goal production. “But I can play the midfielder’s position,” she said. She will have to fund her own way to Malta, including paying for a flight, finding a place to live and miscellaneous expenses. Her parents are making the trip with her as a holiday. She is making an appeal to local groups and organizations for financial assistance.
For information about her goals, contact her at 519-631-4091 or e-mail joe.buttigieg@sympatico.ca. Buttigieg said she’s clear on what she needs to do to convince the Malta coaching staff she belongs on the team. “I think I have to show them I can compete with national-level competition. I have to show them I’m worthy of being on the team.” She said she would favour a scenario that would see her being able to attend a university in Malta and play soccer. She wants to study courses that would equip her to help teens who are victims of violence or depressions.
For now, however, it’s a matter of finishing this season at home before focusing on Malta. “It’s a bit overwhelming,” she said, “but once we get closer to November, it will kick in more.”
Sports Briefs - August 16
VIPERS EDGE PREDATORS 2-1
St Thomas Vipers and St. Thomas Predators squared off Sunday in a rain-soaked London and District Youth Soccer League under-9 girls contest. All of the scoring took place in the first half as Kaila Novak opened things up for the Vipers, but Serena Vanderwyst replied for the Predators. Emma Hind picked up her first goal of the season, which proved to be the game-winner, as the Vipers came away with a 2-1 win. Vanessa Johnston had a great game in goal for the Predators, while Macy Wismer and Saranda Islami shared the goalkeeping duties for the Vipers.
MOORE'S FOUR LEAD ROMP
Reagan Moore scored four times Thursday to lead St. Thomas SC to a 13-0 romp over Tillsonburg Titans in London and District Youth Soccer League under-10 girls play. Braelyn Dennis and Taylor Goodhue added three goals each, with Taylor Kilday, Victoria Moir and Payton Farren Sharp adding singles. Also in league play last week, St. Thomas under-14s lost 1-0 to Dorchester on a goal by Madison Chesney, and then lost 5-1 to North London Spartans who got two goals from Daisy DeKoker and singles from Gigi Joseph, Holly Collard and Vanessa Arena. Reegan Teyoman marked for St. Thomas. The under-11 girls lost 5-1 to Byron Blast. Elise Cosens and Madeline Curtis scored two each for Byron, and Renee Rombough added one. Nicole Carnegie counted for St. Thomas.
HEAT PLAY TO 2-2 STANDOFF
St. Thomas SC Heat played to a 2-2 standoff with the Woodstock FC Extreme in London and District Youth Soccer League play Thursday at Cowan Park. Jerid Klassen and Nolan Blewett were the St. Thomas marksmen, while Kevin Holden scored twice for Woodstock in the boys under-14 encounter.
Sports Briefs - August 12, 13
August 13th
WHITE'S SHADES SARNIA 2-1
St. Thomas SC Tommy White's Source for Sports shook off a slow start to edge Sarnia City 2-1 in London and Area Women's Soccer League play Wednesday. White's gave up an early goal and had to regroup in the Premier Divison contest for their eighth win of the season. "We pulled it together toward the end of the first half," said coach Jennifer Maxwell. Alana Cornet scored the equalizer with five minutes remaining before the break.
Their renewed efforts produced a number of scoring chances in the second half that eventually paid off in the dying minutes with Nikki VanderWallen netting the winner. "It was a good win to take," said Maxwell, who takes her team into their final home game of the season Sunday, 4 p.m., against London North Galaxy at Athletic Park. St. Thomas then heads to the Hellennic Centre in London to tangle with Marconi in the City Cup final at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
August 12th
ST. THOMAS FALLS TO FURY
St. Thomas SC finished on the short side of a 3-1 count Tuesday against London United Fury in London and District Youth Soccer League under-17 boys play at Athletic Park. Randy Plante scored for St. Thomas, while Quinton Green, Colton Vandenberk and Clark Russell marked for London.
News - Soccer Camp
PATRICK BRENNAN - Times-Journal
Instructors Amanda Dafoe, left, Andrew Buttigieg, Mark Lynch and Tim Fennema are ready to offer the second week of the St. Thomas Soccer Camp opening Monday. Anyone wishing to register for the camp should go Athletic Park, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Cowan Park, Monday to Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and the psych hospital fields in Central Elgin from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
St. Thomas Vipers top Lazers 5-2
Kaila Novak scores three goals
Rianne Neill, left breaks up field with a Middlesex United Lazer in pursuit as St. Thomas SC took a 5-2 win in London and District Youth Soccer League under-9 girls play Thursday in Strathroy.
STRATHROY — St. Thomas SC Vipers got three goals from Kaila Novak in a 5-2 win Thursday over Middlesex United Lazers. Novak opened the scoring for St. Thomas with two quick goals in the London and District Youth Soccer League under-9 girls game, but Middlesex United tied it up early in the second half.
Macy Wismer then scored what proved to be the winning goal for the Vipers before Novak added her third. Rianne Neill’s marker rounded out the scoring. Wismer and Aviva Fournie shared the goalkeeping duties for the Vipers and each made a number of excellent saves throughout the game.
Draw makes Day wonder
St. Thomas SC fails to climb in standings after 0-0 tie with Middlesex
PATRICK BRENNAN - Times-Journal
St. Thomas SC players, black uniforms, and Middlesex players jostle for position as the sides played to a scorless draw in their Western Ontario Soccer League Premier Division matchup Saturday at Athletic Park.
A compilation of missed opportunities prevented St. Thomas SC from gaining any ground in the standings following a Western Ontario Soccer League Premier Division game Saturday at Athletic Park. St. Thomas and Middlesex battled to a scoreless tie, a result that left St. Thomas coach David Day wondering where his team had failed to get a win. “It’s disappointing,” he said. “Those are points we should have had.” Earlier this year, St. Thomas scored a 6-0 victory over the same Middlesex team. Day said the tie meant St. Thomas failed to take advantage of a chance to move up in the the standings.
It currently sits in fifth place with a 3-5-3 record. Right behind is Middlesex at 3-3-7. Day said a win could have helped St. Thomas improve its lot. “Had we won, we would have moved up,” he said. Day said St. Thomas was close on several occasions, failing to put home loose balls near the Middlesex net. St. Thomas now gets ready for a road game in its next match, travelling to Sarnia on Friday.
City squads triumphant, sweep three matchups
St. Thomas SC swept a trio of London and District Youth Soccer League games Monday, twice shutting out the competition. Jessica Sutherland and Jordin Higgs scored in the girls under-16 contest to give St. Thomas SC Storm a 2-1 triumph over Southwest Sabres at Athletic Park. Kendall Wharton replied for Southwest.
Up the hill at Cowan Park, St. Thomas blanked Southwest Galaxy 2-0 on the strength of a pair of goals by Haley Summers in a girls under12 matchup. The under-12 boys travelled to London to clip the German Canadian Firebirds 1-0, with Noah Dos Santos providing the only score of the encounter.
White's blanks Nairn
St. Thomas alone in second place
St. Thomas SC Tommy White’s Source for Sports blanked Nairn 2-0 Monday at Athletic Park. The win moves White’s into sole possession of second place in the Premier Division of the London and Area Women’s Soccer League. All the scoring came in the first half as Nikki VanderWallen and Bailey Maxwell did the damage.
VanderWallen split a pair of Nairn defenders to left-foot what aproved to be the winning goal as the St. Thomas defence put up yet another shutout. Maxwell’s goal came on a long chip over her shoulder, from Shelby Duwyn, that she never let touch ground before feeding it home. St. Thomas goes to Sarnia City on Wednesday before wrapping up their home season Sunday, 4 p. m., against Galaxy at Athletic Park.
Squad on track for promotion
St. Thomas is already playing like a First Division team as it crushes London City
Jamie Smith’s plan to get his Second Division team in the Western Ontario Soccer League promoted to First Division is on track, so far.
PATRICK BRENNAN - Times-Journal
Ben Moniz, left, of St. Thomas SC, moves a London City forward out of the way during a Western Ontario Soccer League Second Division game Sunday at Athletic Park. St. Thomas won 7-0.
Smith and his team proved Sunday why they deserve to move up, with a 7-0 win over London City Soccer Club at Athletic Park. There weren’t many areas in which St. Thomas made mistakes against London City, a frustrated first-year team that is still looking for its first win. St. Thomas is going in the other direction, plotting every step on the mission to stay in first place and earn the right to promotion for next season.
The top two teams advance to First Division, while two other teams with the least impressive records are relegated down. St. Thomas got off to an early 1-0 lead after only seven minutes, added one more before the half and pumped in five more on a deflated London United squad in the second half. Goal scorers for St. Thomas were Scott Mugford and Kyle Kirby with two each. Greg Brewer, Alonzo Flores and Ben Moniz had one apiece. “I liked the outcome,” Smith said after the game.
Asked what his goal was before the game, knowing he was facing a lower seed, Smith said all St. Thomas wanted to do was earn the three points for a win. “Today, I was experimenting with the lineup,” he said. The situation at the top of the table sees St. Thomas (8-0-4) in tight company. “It will be a close finish,” Smith conceded. Breathing down St. Thomas’s neck, only two points back, is St. Columban, (7-1-5) a team St. Thomas beat at Athletic Park early in the season. Friday is a return visit to London to play St. Columban at St. Columban Catholic School.
St. Thomas also looks forward to Sept. 7 when it meets AEK in the final of the Second Division Cup at Curinga Club in London.
Corey paces St. Thomas to easy win
Crystal Corey turned in her second three-goal performance of the week as St. Thomas SC Tommy White’s Source for Sports crushed Corunna 10-0 on the road Thursday. Corey now has 10 goals on the season and sits in second place in Premier Division scoring in the London and Area Women’s Soccer League. Alana Cornet scored twice in the victory to give her seven on the campaign, good for fourth place in the division.
Also counting in the victory were Christina Langrell, Bailey Maxwell, Robyn Dunn, Katelyn Doyle and Leah Slamen. The shutout was the sixth of the season for St. Thomas. With six wins and four ties against two losses, White’s has 22 points in the standings, tied with Marconi (7-1-1). They trail the 10-1-2 Portuguese, who are at 31 points, though Marconi is in the driver’s seat with that single loss. St. Thomas goes up against Nairn (1-2-7) on Monday at 6:45 p.m. at Athletic Park.
Sports Briefs - August 9, 6, 4
August 9th
WILDFIRE WINS ON KICKS
St. Thomas SC edged Oakridge Wildfire 4-3 on penalty kicks Sunday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-16 girls Challenge Cup play. Jordin Higgs, Jessica Sutherland, Megan Dieleman and Tina Timmons scored for St. Thomas. Rachel Flear, Anna Smith and Dominique Juric replied for Oakridge.
U-12 BOYS LOSE CUP CONTEST
St. Thomas SC fell 5-3 to NL-FC London on Sunday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-12 boys Challenge Cup action. Adam Bilyea, Jack Ainsworth and Mitchell Burns found the goal for St. Thomas. Amanuel Berta and Cole Anderson both notched a pair for London, with Riley Burton rounding out the scoring.
ST. THOMAS POUNDS LAMBETH
St. Thomas SC pounded Lambeth Lancers 10-0 Friday in London and District Youth Soccer League girls under12 play at Cowan Park. Breena Struthers, Peri Hayes and Emma Berkevens each scored twice for St. Thomas, with singles coming from Paige Pieters-Parnall, Jessica Vader, Haley Summers and Pailsey McGugan.
STORM BEATS WALLACEBURG
St. Thomas SC Storm got goals from Jessica Sutherland, Jordin Higgs and Tina Timmons to beat Wallaceburg Sting 3-1 Friday in London and District Youth Soccer League play. Emily Pepper scored for the Sting in the girls under-16 contest.
ACADEMY EDGED BY AZZURI
St. Thomas Academy dropped a 2-1 decision to Marconi Azzuri in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League under-18 boys play Friday at Athletic Park. Tom Yurek scored for St. Thomas, with Brandon Barbosa and Kevin Walkom marking for Marconi.
PREDATORS SHUT OUT
St. Thomas SC Pedators took a 5-0 loss Thursday at the hands of Byron Bullets. Byron got two goals from Raine Brantson, with Emily Andrus, Olivia Hanham and Hailey Burk adding singles in the London and District Youth Soccer League under-9 girls matchup.
CLOSE LOSS FOR U-14 BOYS
St. Thomas SC under-14 boys stayed close with Norwest Redtail Hawks, but ended up on the short end of a 1-0 decision Friday in their London and District Youth Soccer League contest. Bemnet Dejene scored the only goal of the game.
August 6th
FOX, BRIEFS WIMBUSH HEAD SCORE
Jamie briefs Fox body and Tomi Wimbush scored for St. Thomas SC in a 2-0 victory over Nucleo Sporting in London and District Youth Soccer League boys under-17 play Thursday in London.
SCORELESS DRAW
St. Thomas SC and Southend United Lightning played to a scoreless draw Thursday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-10 girls action at Cowan Park.
ST. THOMAS TAKES 5-2 LOSS
St. Thomas SC absorbed a 5-2 loss to Bluewater Jr. Blaze in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League boys under-15 play Tuesday at Athletic Park. Brandan Weir and Bleron Xhigolli scored for St. Thomas. Bluewater got goals from Garth Denys, Marcus Dusseault, Robert Clark, Matt Cservik and Richard O'Neill.
JONES SPARKS THUNDER
Two goals by Michael Jones sparked St. Thomas SC Thunder to a 6-3 victory over Gols London Inter on Tuesday at Athletic Park. Also scoring for St. Thomas in the London and District Youth Soccer League boys under-10 game were Blake Kokko, Luka Dennis, Tyler MacMillan and Luke Ainsworth. Samim Fattahi marked twice for the visitors, with Zahan Sabah rounding out the count.
August 4th
SCORPIONS TAKE OVER FIRST
St. Thomas body SC Scorpions took over first place Tuesday with a 3-1 victory over Oakridge in London and District Youth Soccer body League girls under-11 action at Cowan Park. The teams had been knotted atop the standings heading into the contest. Haley Agius, Nicole Carnegie and Kaitlin Ellery scored for St. Thomas. Reeghan Cincelli got the win in goal. Isabella Hill scored for Oakridge. The Scorpions are now 10-1-2 in league play.
HAYES LEADS ST. THOMAS
Two goals from Peri Hayes and a single from Haley Summers gave St. Thomas SC a 3-0 win over Middlesex United Spitfires on Monday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-12 girls play.
THREE GOALS FOR BURNS
Powered by Mitchell Burns' three goals, St. Thomas SC dumped Ingersoll Flyers 7-0 Monday at Cowan Park. Jack Bukich added two goals for St. Thomas in the London and District Youth Soccer League boys under-12 game, with singles coming from Jack Ainsworth and Joey Hardy.
ACADEMY PLAYS TO DRAW
St. Thomas Academy played to a 2-2 draw with South Huron United in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League boys under-18 play Friday at Athletic Park. Jalyn Marchand and Eddy Wiebe scored for St. Thomas, while Joost Bertens and Todd Lightfoot counted for South Huron.
HUTCHISON SPARKS VICTORY
Jake Hutchison took care of the home side scoring last Thursday as St. Thomas SC Heat beat Middlesex United Strikers 2-1 in London and District Youth Soccer League under-14 boys action at Athletic Park. Jakob Rody marked for Middlesex United.
BANGU BUSTED 4-0
St. Thomas SC Bangu fell 4-0 to Oakridge FC in London and District Youth Soccer League under-11 boys play last Thursday. Trey Lavoie scored twice for Oakridge, with Nicholas Schildroth and Spencer Kanters rounding out the count.
PREDATORS TAKE 3-0 TUMBLE
There was a 3-0 loss waiting for St. Thomas SC Predators last Thursday when they travelled to London to face the Southwest Sparks. Sara Bennett scored twice for the Sparks with Aliah Admans adding one in the London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-9 matchup.
Corey hat trick powers White's
Team holds third placet
Three goals by Crystal Corey sparked St. Thomas SC Tommy White's Source for Sports to a 5-0 win over Corunna at the Athletic Park. The London and Area Women's Soccer League vitory gives White's five wins and four ties in 11 starts, good for third place in the Premier Division.
Shutout goalkeeping by Emily Gillet, her fifth whitewasing of the season, made Alana Cornet's opening goal stand up for St. Thomas. Corey then scored a pair befor Nikki VanderWallen marked. Corey's third goal ended the offensive onslaught. St. Thomas hits the road today for a 6:45 p.m return match at Corunna.
Tournament Winners
St. Thomas Scorpions won the St. Thomas Select under-11 girls soccer title on the weekend. Members of the team, form left, are: front - Sophie Feairs, Gracie Clinton, Lexus Clarke, Reeghan Cincelli, Presley Gruener, Kaitlin Ellery: back - coach Chris Wismer, Amanda Vlasman, Fiona Neill, Chloe Tunstill, Jaylin Wismer, Natalie Lampman, Ellie Weir, Haley Agius, coach Jamie Earhart, Tiffany Johnston, Skye Black. Absent are Braelyn Dennis, Nicole Carnaegie, Holly Monteith, Pyper Olver, Haley Presant.
Sports Briefs - July 29, 30
July 30th
ROTH SCORES HEAD TWO IN DRAW
LONDON — Michael Roth scored twice for St. Thomas SC in a 2-2 boys under-9 draw wth Oakridge Red Devils on Thursday in London and District Youth Soccer League play. Ben Sparks and Brody Cornelius scored for Oakridge.
ST. THOMAS HEAD FALLS TO COSMOS
WOODSTOCK — St. Thomas SC dropped a 3-1 decision to Woodstock Cosmos in London and District Youth Soccer League under-10 girls action Thursday. Victoria Moir scored for St. Thomas, while Allison Couwenberg marked twice for Woodstock and Abbey Davis added a single.
PREDATORS LOSE 3-0
LONDON — St. Thomas SC Predators took a 3-0 loss to Southwest Sparks on Thursday. Sara Benneet scored twice and Aliah Admans once for Southwest in the London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-9 game.
SCORPIONS BLANK NORWEST
LONDON — Goals by Tiffany Johnston, Lexus Clarke and Kaitlin Ellery gave St. Thomas SC Scorpions a 3-0 triumph over Norwest in London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-11 play Wednesday.
July 29th
STORM RAINS ON BARONS
PETROLIA briefs body — Sparked by three goals from Jessica Sutherland, the St. Thomas SC Storm blanked the Petrolia Oil Barons 6-0 in London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-16 play Wednesday. Emily Jennings added two goals for St. Thomas, with Megan Dieleman contributing a single marker.
ST. THOMAS U-17S WIN 2-1
LONDON — St. Thomas SC edged Greater London FAST 2-1 Tuesday in under-17 boys London and District Youth Soccer League play. Jalen Marchand and Jamie Fox were the St. Thomas marksmen, while Adam Migchels replied for FAST.
STANDOFF AT COWAN PARK
It was a 2-2 tied Tuesday at Cowan Park as St. Thomas SC Thunder met Middlesex United Lightning in London and District Youth Soccer League under-10 boys action. Miles Vaughan and Dustin Abbey scored for St. Thomas. Middlesex United got goals from Tristan Peters and Keaton Graham.
UNDER-12 BOYS FALL 5-3
LONDON — St. Thomas SC under-12 boys took a 5-3 loss Tuesday to NL-FC London. Adam Bilyea, Zack Mastrandrea and Mitchell Burns scored for St. Thomas in the London and District Youth Soccer League hookup. Tristan Leduc scored three goals for London, with singles comig from Cole Andersons and Amanuel Berta.
St. Thomas lands date with Marconi
Defending champions plan to repeat
On a perfect defensive run through the competition, the defending City Cup champions will get a chance to make it two in a row. St. Thomas SC Tommy White’s Source for Sports dispatched Sarnia City 2-0 on the road Wednesday to book a rendezvous with London Marconi in the Aug. 16 final at the Hellenic Centre in London. Marconi reached the finale with a 5-1 win over Nairn on Wednesday.
White’s won the London and Area Women’s Soccer League’s prestigious crown last season by knocking off favoured North London Galaxy. St. Thomas has yet to surrender a goal in City Cup play this year, beating London United Thunder 6-0 and Galaxy 1-0 before blanking Sarnia. The skilled and hard-working defence is backstopped by veteran goalkeeper Emily Gillet and knows how to take care of business. St. Thomas carried the play to Sarnia City in their semifinal.
“It was a very offensive game for us,” said coach Jennifer Maxwell. “We were in their end the majority of the game. It was hard because it got really plugged up, but we had several other good chances.” White’s scored the winner five minutes into the second half when Bailey Maxwell took a pass from Crystal Corey on her left side and drilled it low up the middle from the top of the 18-yard box. It was the second game back from double surgery for Maxwell, who played about 20 minutes in each half as she works on her fitness after the long layoff.
The second goal was similar to the first, but this time it was Christina Fric finding the mark on a feed from Maxwell in the 83rd minute. The City Cup final goes at 6:30 p.m. But before that, St. Thomas has a home-and-home set with Corunna coming up next Tuesday and Thursday. They face off at Athletic Park first and then in Corunna. Game time for both contests is 6:45 p.m.
Sports Briefs - July 26, 27
July 27th
SUMMERS LEADS THE WAY
St. briefs Thomas body SC blanked Woodstock Whirlwinds 3-0 Monday in London and Area Youth Soccer League under-12 girls action at Cowan Park. Haley Summers scored twice for St. Thomas, with Kaitlyn Guernsey also counting.
WINDSOR TAKES 2-0 WIN
Windsor briefs body FC Nationals defeated St. Thomas SC 2-0 Sunday in Western Ontario Youth Soccer league play at Athletic Park. Luca Pasini and Tanner Drkulec scored for Windsor in the under-15 boys contest.
July 26th
CONGDON POTS WINNER
St. Thomas Vipers took a 2-1 win over London United Griffons in London and District Youth Soccer League under-9 girls action Sunday at Cowan Park. St. Thomas fell behind early on a gal by United's Tatum Malone, but Kaila Novak tied the game 1-1 by half-time. The Vipers came out strong in the second half and Alexa Congdon made it 2-1 for St. Thomas. London United was awarded a penalty shot late in the game, but Sandra Islami came up bigh and made the save to preserve the win. Macy Wismer had a great first half in goal then was a spark plug in the second half on the both offence and defence.
DRAW WITH SOUTHEND
St. Thomas SC played to a 1-1 draw with Southend United Bullets on Sunday in London and District Youth Soccer League boys under-9 play at Cowan Park. Arbiol Sulejmani scored for St. Thomas, with Tyler Goldner replying for the Bullets.
ACADEMY WINS A PAIR
St. Thomas Academy put up a pair of road wins last week in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League boys under-18 action. Tom Yurek scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory Wednesday over Kitchener Spirit. On Friday, Will Cook scored twice for St. Thomas in a 3-1 triumph over Byron Athletic. Yurek rounded out the scoring for St. Thomas, while Paul Hopkins counted for Byron.
Scorpions deadly in Select tournament
Under-11 girls go undefeated
St. Thomas Scorpions went on a undefeated run over the weekend to win the 20th annual St. Thomas Select soccer tournament. The under-11 girls scored 10 goals in their five games and allowed none. On Saturday, the Scorpions tied Nor'west 0-0 and Lambeth 0-0. Chloe Tunstill was great in the midfield all day. Haley Presant, Reeghan Cincelli, Tiffany Johnston and Jaylin Wismer shard the two shutouts.
Later in the day, they beat the St. Thomas Selects 6-0 on goals by Haley Agius, Johnston, Lexus Clarke, Natalie Lampman, Sophie Feairs, and Braeyln Dennism who was playing up from the under-10 team. Presley Gruener and Lampman shared the shutout. ON Sunday morning the Scorpions beat Kitchener 2-0 on goals by Johnston and Agius. Gracie Clinton, also helping from the under-10 team, was solid on defence with Fiona Neill.
In the final against Lambeth, Agius and Ellery had first-half goals in 2-0 victory. Wismer and Cincelli were terrific in goal to earn the shutout. It's the second tournament victory for the Scorpions this season.
Sports Briefs - July 21, 22, 23
July 23rd
U17 BOYS PACK VICTORY
St. Thomas packed a 2-1 win for the trip home from a London District Youth Soccer League U17 boys game against Woodstock United, Tuesday in Woodstock. Scoring for St. Thomas: James Casey and Jamie Fox.
THUNDER WINS 4-2
Norwest Venom couldn't steal St. Thomas Thunder in a London District Youth Soccer League U10 boys match Tuesday in St. Thomas. The home team won 4-2. Scoring for St. Thomas: Tyler MacMillan (3), Justin Vader.
BANGU DEFEATS WARRIORS
St. Thomas Bangu defeated Norwest Warriors 5-1 in London District Youth Soccer LeagueU11 boys play Wednesday in St. Thomas. Scoring for St. Thomas: Anthony Ostojic, Bryce Perrin, Tyson Velioski and Caleb Schaap (2).
July 22nd
ST. THOMAS, BYRON DRAW
St. Thomas and Byron Athletic battled to a 2-2 draw in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League U15 boys play Tuesday in St. Thomas. Scoring for St. Thomas: Jake Hutchison and Nino Direnzo.
July 21st
ST. THOMAS WINS 8-1
Tyson Velioski led scoring for his team when St. Thomas Bangu defeated Dorchester 8-1 Monday in London District Youth Soccer League U11 boys play in Dorchester. Velioski netted five goals. Also scoring for St. Thomas: Denys Reid, Anthony Ostojic and Caleb Schaap.
U12 GIRLS LOSE 4-1
St. Thomas came home with a 4-1 loss after meeting Tillsonburg Titans on Tuesday in Tillsonburg in a London District Youth Soccer League U12 girls match.
SCORPIONS STING
St. Thomas Scorpions stung London Southwest Spirits 6-0 in London District Youth Soccer League U11 girls play Monday in London. Scoring for St. Thomas: Chloe Tunstill, Lexus Clarke (2), Sophie Feairs, Skye Black, Reeghan Cincelli.
Sports Briefs - July 20, 19
July 20th
ST. THOMAS DOUSES FIRE
St. Thomas doused Oakridge Fire 8-1 in London and District Youth Soccer U12 boys play Monday in St. Thomas. Scoring for St. Thomas: Caden Beshara (4), Zack Mastrandrea (2) and Noah Dos Santos (2).
REDS HIT REBELS
North Middlesex Reds defeated St. Thomas Rebels 5-5 Monday in London and District Youth Soccer Leage U14 girls action Monday in St. Thomas. Scoring for the Rebels: Annie Ferguson, Reegan Yeoman.
ST. THOMAS DOWNS FLYERS
St. Thomas shot down the Ingersoll Flyers 4-3 in a London and District Youth Soccer U9 boys match Sunday in Ingersoll. Scoring for St. Thomas: Daniel Martineau, Kyle Mastrandrea, Tyler Hewitt.
U18 BOYS IN DRAW
St. Thomas Academy and Kitchener Spirit fought to a 3-3 draw in a London and District Youth Soccer League U18 boys meet Friday in St. Thomas. Scoring for Academy: Hunter Beamish, Tom Yurek, Mark Lynch.
July 19th
REBELS BEDEVILLED
St. Thomas Rebels were bedevilled by London United Red Devils in London District Youth Soccer League U14 girls play Thursday in London, losing 2-1. Reegan Yeoman scored for St. Thomas.
HEAT TURNS IT UP
St. Thomas Heat turned up the temperature on Northwest Northstars in London District Youth Soccer League U14 boys action Thursday in St. Thomas, winning 4-1. Scoring for St. Thomas: Frank Swiderski (2), Josh Brown, Jerid Klassen.
THUNDER, GOLS DRAW
St. Thomas Thunder and Gols London Inter fought to a 2-2 draw in London District Youth Soccer League U10 boys play Thursday in St. Thomas. Scoring for St. Thomas were Miles Vaughan and Dustin Abbey.
Game Ends in Draw
St. Thomas Viper Amber Safadi keeps the ball away from Southend United Force opponents but in spite of opportunity throughout their London District Youth Soccer League match on Sunday in St. Thomas, neither team was able to score. The game ended in a 0-0 draw. Macy Wismer and Aviva Fournie shared the goalkeeping duties and the shutout for St. Thomas.
Men show inconsistent side
St. Thomas settles for a draw against London Portuguese
A lack of consistency was the last thing Dave Day’s St. Thomas men’s soccer team needed.
Patrick Brennan- Times-Journal
Anthony Kissi (3) of London Portuguese and Dan Abel (4) of St. Thomas compete for the ball at Athletic Park in St. Thomas.
In the end, it cost them a chance for victory as they played to a 1-1 draw Saturday against London Portuguese in a Western Ontario Soccer League men’s premier division league game at Athletic Park. “We didn’t play very well,” Day said. “We’re inconsistent. We’ve beaten top teams before and lost to teams below us.” Alex Racca opened the scoring in the first half for St. Thomas. Jason Teves tied it for Portuguese in the second half with a goal. Day said St. Thomas committed turnovers during the game that cost them possession. “We were reactive instead of proactive. We were good for 20 minutes and then not for the next.” Saturday’s draw means St. Thomas is tied for third place with a record of 3-2-2 after seven games.
Patrick Brennan- Times-Journal
James Twinem (12) of St. Thomas dribbles the ball downfield Saturday in a Western Ontario Soccer League men’s premier division game against London Portuguese with his teammate Alex Racca (17) running alongside. The teams played to a 1-1 draw.
The next game for St. Thomas is Friday on the road against Wallaceburg.
U14 Girls L5 placed 2nd in the Cambridge tournament
The U14 Rebels placed 2nd in the Cambridge tournament on the weekend...First in their pool. The team won the semi-final in a shootout against cambridge and Lost in the final to the Georgetown Mustangs 4-1.
Our first game was against Woolwich Woolpack whom we tied 1-1, Annie Ferguson scored for us. We outplayed them the whole first half but they came back strong in the 2nd, just had some difficulty getting the ball in the net although we outshot them. Our 2nd game was against Stratford 2-0 with goals from Ashlyn Humphrey and Chelsea Allen. We played strong the whole game and outshot them 13-4. Our semifinal against Cambridge was 0-0 and went into sudden death OT, then a shootout. they shot first and were able to sink the first 2 as we were from Annie Ferguson and Alicia Nicolesevic. Jordan Beshara was able to stop the 3rd and Chelsea Allen sunk one for us. Jordan again stopped the 4th and Jacqueline Visscher scored the winning goal for us. In the final; we played Georgetown whom I have found out since is an L4 team. They had a lot of big strong girls and were very talented with the ball. Although we put up a good fight their strength and experience won out and they beat us 4-1, with Jacqueline Visscher scoring the lone goal for us. Julie Visscher, coach of U14 girls team
FANCY FOOTWORK
A lack of consistency was the last thing Dave Day’s St. Thomas men’s soccer team needed.
Patrick Brennan- Times-Journal
Grace Jones, left, of St. Thomas is passed by Brianne Seed, right, of London North Middlesex Ravens, in a London and Area Women’s Soccer League firstdivision game Monday at Athletic Park.
Patrick Brennan- Times-Journal
Nicole Mcdonald, right, of St. Thomas, plays the ball against Sarach Charlton of London North Middlesex Ravens in a London and Area Womens Soccer League first-division game Mondy at Athletic Park. Mcdonald and Nicole Brown socred for St. Thomas in a 2-1 win. Daniela Szela scored for North Middlesex. St. Thomas now has a record of 4-1-5 and is in fourth place in the standings.
Sports Briefs - July 13, 14
July 14th
BANGU SUFFERS LOSS
St. Thomas Bangu suffered a 6-1 loss at the hands of NL-FC London Select in London and District Youth Socccer League U11 boys action Tuesday in London. Anthony Ostojic scored St. Thomas's lone goal.
PREDATORS SHUT OUT
St. Thomas Predators were shut out 4-0 by Lambeth Lancers in London and District Youth Soccer League U9B girls play Tuesday in Lambeth.
July 13th
ST. THOMAS SHUT OUT
Greater London Menace shut out St. Thomas Academy 3-0 in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League U18 boys action Friday at Athletic Park
STORM CHILLS HEAT
St. Thomas Storm chilled Oakridge Heat 7-1 in London District Youth Soccer League U16 girls play Thursday in London. Scoring for St. Thomas: Celia Lees, Emily Jennings, Moira Milcz, Jordin Higgs, Megan Dieleman (3).
GUNNERS CLAIM WIN
London United Gunners shot down St. Thomas -4-2 in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League U15 boys play Saturday at London. Scoring for St. Thomas: Austin Loewen and Brandan Weir.
HEAT DEFEATS ST. THOMAS
Norwest Heat turned up the temperature on St. Thomas Predators, defeating the home team 2-0 in a London District Youth Soccer League match Sunday in St. Thomas.
SHOCK GETS OWN
St. Thomas gave Southwest Shock a taste of their own name in a 3-0 shutout Thursday in London District Youth Soccer League play Thursday in London. Scoring for St. Thomas: Braelyn Dennis, Reagan Moore (2).
NOVAK'S GOALS NOT ENOUGH
St. Thomas Viper Kalia Novak is pursued by a Byron player in a London and District Youth Soccer League U9B girls match Tuesday at Cowan Park. Byron won 4-3 with Novak scoring St. Thomas’s three goals after the visitors took an early 4-0 lead. The Vipers next play in the St. Thomas Mini-Festival on Saturday facing teams from London, Windsor and LaSalle.
On the Ball - July 2011
R. Mark Butterwick- Times-Journal
St. Thomas SC Greg Westra, left, fights off SLB-Simple defender Keelan Harkin as the sides squared off in Western Ontario Soccer League play Wednesday in the opening round of League Cup. The final score was not available at deadline.
White's blanks Galaxy
Crystal Corey took care of the scoring and Emily Gillet took care of protecting the goal Wednesday as St. Thomas SC Tommy White’s Source for Sports blanked North London Galaxy 1-0 in their London and Area Women’s Soccer League City Cup quarter-final. Midfielders Leah Slamen and Chrstine Fric, as well as backliners Michelle Fric and Christina Langrell put in solid performances in negating the Galaxy offence, said White’s coach Jennifer Maxwell. St. Thomas’s next City Cup opponent is not yet determined.
Winning Team
St. Thomas Heat won the under-14 boys division at Soccerfest on the weekend. Members of the team, from left, are: front - Adi Wardini, Alejandro Barrientos, Matt Machado, Aiden Barry, Josh Brown; middle - Jerid Klassen, Jake Hutchinson, Josh Reda, Brodie Bell, Jordan Fox, coach Steve Brown; back - assistant coach Phil Truman, Alex Sander, Ryan Devrieze and Drew Grantham.
Sport Briefs - July 7, 8, 9, 12 2011
July 12th
SCORPIONS ENJOY HEAT
It was a hot weekend for St. Thomas Scorpions in U11 girls soccer, and it wasn't just the heat and humidity. They tied Byron Friday night 0-0 with Reeghan Cincelli and Haley Presant sharing the shutout and Lexus Clarke anchoring the defence. On Saturday, playing shorthanded with help of three U10 girls, Grace Waite, Tori Moir and Emily Sanderson, the Scorpions stung North London 3-1. Nicole Carnegie, Pyper Olver and Haley Agius found the net. Reeghan Cincelli and Haley Presant shared the win in goal.
July 9th
HUTCHISON POTS PAIR
Jake Hutchison scored twice Thursday to lead St. Thomas SC Heat to a 3-2 win over Woodstock FC Extreme in London and District Youth Soccer League under-14 boys play at Athletic Park. Adi Wardini scored the other goal for St. Thomas. Rhys Pollock put up both Woodstock goals.
ST. THOAMS FALLS 4-1
North Middlesex Reds posted a 4-1 win over St. Thomas SC Rebels on Thursday in London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-14 action. Shannon Peters scored twice for the winners, with Emily Haskett and Courtney Vandersanden also marking. Annie Ferguson scored for St. Thomas.
ALL-STAR BRIEFS HEAD GAMES GO JULY 17
The briefs second body annual All-Star Soccer Charity Games night is scheduled for Sunday, July 17, at the Hellenic Community Centre, 133 Southdale Rd. West, London. Games will feature the top players in the London and Area Women's Soccer League, the Western Ontario Soccer League and the Middlesex Men's Masters Soccer League. Play runs from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. and all proceeds go to the Children's Hospital of Western Ontario in London.
THUNDER THUMPS BLITZ 9-3
BYRON — St. Thomas SC Thunder thumped Byron Blitz 9-3 Thursday in London and District Youth Soccer League boys under-10 play. Michael Jones and Miles Vaughan each counted twice for St. Thomas, with singles coming from Tyler MacMillan, Blake Kokko, Justin Vader, Dustin Abbey and Luka Dennis. Kurt Watson took care of all the Byron scoring.
ST. THOMAS FALLS 5-2
St. Thomas SC under-14 boys dropped a 5-2 decision to Midddlesex United Lasers in London and District Youth Soccer League play Wednesday at Athletic Park. Ty Van Bynen scored three goals for Middlesex, with Cameron Shular and Matthew Pitt rounding out the count. Frankie Swiderski and Brody Massecar were the St. Thomas marksmen.
2-2 DRAW WITH LAMBETH
LAMBETH — Caden Beshara and Keegan Windover scored for St. Thomas SC in a 2-2 tie with Lambeth Lancers in London and District Youth Soccer League under-12 boys play Thursday. Cody Clerc and Drake Redmond scored for Lambeth.
July 8th
ST. BRIEFS THOMAS HEAD ADVANCES
St. briefs Thomas body SC Times-Journal stopped SLB-Simple 2-0 Wednesday in their Western Ontario Soccer League opening briefs round body game for the League Cup. St. Thomas next plays at Norfolk, from briefs the league's body Fourth Division East, on Wednesday, July, 20, as cup elimina tions continue. Kickoff briefs body is 6:45 p.m.
July 7th
SCORPIONS BRIEFS HEAD BLANK NORWEST
The briefs St. body Thomas SC Scorpions Under-11 girls beat Norwest London 50 Tuesday in London and District Youth Soccer League play. Reeghan Cincelli and Haley Presant shared the shutout, but they also chipped in with a goal each during their time not in goal. Tiffany Johnston, Jaylin Wismer and Nicole Carnegie also scored for the second-place Scorpions.
BURNS LEADS WIN OVER W.E.
With two goals from Mitchell Burns, St. Thomas SC dumped West Elgin Wildcats 7-2 in London and District Youth Soccer League boys under-12 play Monday at Cowan Park. Zack Mastrandrea, Keegan Windover, Noah Dos Santos, Caden Beshara and Jack Bukich also scored for St. Thomas. Kellar Livingstone and Tyler McEachren scored for West Elgin.
Sport Briefs - July 6, 2011
STORM BRIEFS TIE HEAD 1-1 WITH MARCONI
St. briefs Thomas body SC Storm played to a 1-1 tie with Marconi Hot Shots on Monday in London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-16 play at Athletic Park. Megan Dieleman scored for St. Thomas, while Victoria Post counted for Marconi.
Perrin's three goals spark Bangu rout
Bryce Perrin poured in three goals Tuesday as St. Thomas SC Bangu trounced Southwest Raiders 9-0 in London and District Youth Soccer League under-11 boys play at Athletic Park. Anthony Ostojic tacked on a pair of goals for St. Thomas, while Tyson Velioski, Simon Ka, Nicholas Firth and Caleb Schaap rounded out the scoring. In boys under-17 action, St. Thomas played to a 2-2 draw at Lambeth Lancers. Jalen Marchand scored both goals for St. Thomas, with Caleb Teichroeb and Cameron Bond countering for Lambeth.
St. Thomas Predators were on the short end of a 2-0 result with Southend United Force in London. Mary Tennant and Olivia Dunn marked for Southend in the girls under-9 contest. In Western Ontario Youth Soccer League play at Athletic Park on Tuesday, Waterloo got goals from Nikola Despotovic and Devon Gilders in a 2-1 win over St. Thomas in their boys under15 clash. Ryan Herries scored for St. Thomas.
U-14 boys claim Soccerfest crown
St. Thomas under-15 boys lose final 2-1 to Harrow in a shootout
Patrick Brennan - Times-Journal
After two days of competition in the second weekend of the St. Thomas Soccerfest tournament, only one local team survived the wars to win its division Sunday.
The under-14 boys got it done with a 2-1 win over Chatham at Central Elgin Collegiate Institute. Jared Klassen scored both St. Thomas goals and Aci Wardini scored for Chatham. In the only other final involving a St. Thomas team, the under-15 boys faced off against Harrow Hurricanes at Athletic Park. Harrow opened the scoring in the first minute of the second half on a goal by Noah Bondy.
St. Thomas tied it later in the half on a goal by Brandan Weir. The game then went scoreless through two overtime periods and was decided on penalty kicks. In the shootout, Harrow scored on four consecutive kicks, St. Thomas lost when shooters missed the mark on two kicks. In the under-11 division final, London United Fury defeated Brantford 3-1. St. Catharines Red defeated St. Caharines Black 3-1 to win the under-12 division. London United beat Amherstburg 2-1 to claim the under-13 title.
The under-17 final went to overtime and, later, to a shootout between Windsor Caboto and Vaughan with Windsor scoring to win 3-2 at Athletic Park in the final game of the tournament.
Looking for an Opening
R. Mark Butterwick- Times-Journal
Alana Cornet, of St. Thomas SC Tommy White's Source for Sports, takes the ball up on her knee looking for an opening inside the 19-yard box against London Marconi in London and Area Women's Soccer League Premier Division play Monday at Athletic Park. The game ended 1-1.
Sport Briefs - July 5, 2011
WHITE’S, MARCONI TIE 1-1
St. Thomas SC Tommy White’s Source for Sports played to a 1-1 tie with Marconi in London and Area Women’s Soccer League Premier Division play Monday at Athletic Park. The visitors got on the scoreboard first eight minutes into the match, playing a high ball into the 18-yard box that came down in a mass of bodies but went uncontrolled. It fell at the feet of Jennifer Begley, who pushed it home. St. Thomas got even 10 minutes later when Tanya Beizhuisen knocked down a crossing ball and tucked it inside the right goal post. White’s now has a record of three wins and three ties in seven starts. It was Marconi’s first blemish after opening the season with three wins. Next up for St. Thomas is a City Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday when North Galaxy visits Athletic Park for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.
Storm tips Southwest
St. Thomas SC sides pick up single win
St. Thomas SC sides picked up a single win, two draws and two loses in London and District Youth Soccer League play Thursday. The under-16 girls were the lone victors as the Storm stopped Southwest 4-1 on a pair of goals by Megan Dieleman and singles by Jessica Sutherland and Lucy Robinson. Nicole Crowther counted for Southwest. The under-10 girls countered three goals by Byron Bullet Victoria Bouck with singles by Kailey Dennis, Taylor Kilday and Victoria Moir in their 3-3 standoff.
It was a scoreless draw in the St. Thomas Rebels under14 match against London Portuguese. St. Thomas Predators were shut out 4-0 in under-9 girls play as North London Galaxy got two goals from Thalia Lewis, with one each from Samantha Lerikos and Sydney Bandarra.
Southwest Lightning under-9 boys took a 2-0 win on goals by Liam Hoskins and Jacob Cook. On Wednesday, the under14 girls fell 5-0 to Middlesex United Blast who got three goals from Danielle Sparks and singles from Brooke Buren abd Camryn Varga. And last Tuesday, Marwan El-Kotob scored for London Athletic Spartans in an under17 boys game. In Western Ontario Youth Soccer League action last Tuesday, the Guelph Royals beat St. Thomas 4-1 on goals by Tyler Rocha, Greg Burchell, Mitchell Van Eerd and Scott Gilbert. St. Thomas’s goal came from Matthew Martyn.
Scoring chances elude women
St. Thomas draws at nil with Sarnia City
Patrick Brennan - Times-Journal
Crystal Corey (29) of St. Thomas SC Tommy White's Source for Sports, gets tight with Sarnia City goalkeeper Heather Irleand to get her head on a ball Tuesday at Athletic Park. The attempt went wide as the sides played a scorless draw in their London and Area Women's Soccer League Premier Division contest.
“It was a disappointing game after a big weekend.” Coach Jennifer Maxwell’s frustration at a home draw at nil Tuesday with Sarnia City was easy to understand. It was, after all, reflected in the eyes of many of her St. Thomas SC Tommy White’s Source for Sports players.
The single point in the London and Area Women’s Soccer League Premier Division standings is nothing more than a tease against a Sarnia City team that mounted little threat against the St. Thomas back line. Controlling perhaps as much as 70% of the ball in the first half, White’s was unable to create quality scoring chances.
“I think we had one good scoring chance the whole game,” lamented Maxwell. “We floated a lot of shots into the goalie. We missed the net a lot. We hit a lot of soft shots. We played around with it and didn’t shoot. The intensity wasn’t there. We weren’t quick to the ball. We didn’t go in hard. We didn’t hit the ball hard. We didn’t run at the ball hard. We just were kinda here tonight.”
St. Thomas won five straight tournament games on the weekend to capture the Soccerfest title, but lacked spark last night. “We looked flat from the very beginning,” said Maxwell. “Maybe this was a letdown after playing five good games and the excitement from the weekend.
“We just weren’t well-organized to start. I think we were more mentally tired than physically tired. I don’t think it was the legs. “Our heads? Maybe our hearts weren’t into it?”
White’s went last night without midfield stalwart Leah Slaman, who was unable to take the pitch with a quadriceps injury from the weekend, and offensive spark plug Nikki VanderWalen, who had a school commitment. On top of that, Tanya Beizhuisen isn’t the scoring threat she was last season as she is playing hurt with back and knee injuries.
“Taking a tie in a game like this, or in our first game of the season against Nairn . . . these are games that should be wins,” said Maxwell. “You work so hard to get those wins against Galaxy and against the Germans . . . “We’ve got to get more offence going. We set up and set up for the perfect pass and . . . frustrating. “We’ll be doing a lot of shooting practice on Thursday, and offensive stuff. “We need to get it together.”
Sports Briefs - June 29, 30
June 30th
STORM THRASHES WILDFIRE
St. Thomas Storm thrashed Oakridge Wildfire 5-1 Monday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-16 girls play in West Lorne. Jessica Sutherland found the goal three times for the Storm, while Jayme Thomas and Elizabeth Rollo each scored once. Renee Whelan replied for Oakridge.
HEAT TAKE 6-2 LOSS
St. Thomas Heat suffered a 6-2 loss to Marconi Blue Devils in London and District Youth Soccer League boys under-14 action Monday in London. Jake Hitchison and Jerid Klassen scored for St. Thomas. Marconi got three goals from Mitchel Vandesompel, two from Keagan Croley and a single from Ethan Szypula,
June 29th
STRUTHERS BRIEFS HEAD SCORES IN 1-1 TIE
Breena briefs body Struthers scored for St. Thomas SC in a 1-1 draw Monday with Oakridge Storm in London and District Youth Soccer League under-12 girls play at Cowan Park. Marina Everest scored for Oakridge.
BANGU BRIEFS TAKES HEAD 6-1 BEATING
St. briefs Thomas body Bangu came out on the short end of a 6-1 result against the Woodstock Jr. Stallions on Friday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-11 boys play at Cowan Park. Tyson Velioski scored for St. Thomas. Adam Abouzeeni scored four goals for the Stallions, with Brandon Dukes and Logan Gossier also counting.
ST. THOMAS BLANKED 2-0
Oakridge Fire blanked St. Thomas SC 2-0 in London and District Youth Soccer League under-12 boys action Monday in London. Brandon Crocker-Burch and Ian Lownie were the goal scorers.
Team nabs own tourney
Tommy White’s Source for Sports doesn’t allow a single goal
Patrick Brennan - Times-Journal
Nicole Carrier (32) of St. Thomas, moves the ball Sunday against a Windsor Caboto opponent in the women’s premier division final of the St. Thomas Soccerfest tournament at Athletic Park. St. Thomas defeated Windsor 1-0.
After the final whistle Sunday, Jennifer Maxwell looked around and said what a number of people watching women’s soccer in St. Thomas have wanted to hear for a few years.
“It’s good to win your own tournament.” Maxwell’s Tommy White’s Source for Sports accomplished that goal in style Sunday with a 1-0 win over Windsor Caboto in the Soccerfest final at Athletic Park. In previous years, the St. Thomas Soccer Club’s entry in the London and Area Women’s Soccer League Premier Division has chosen to play in a tournament in Montreal, but not this year, Maxwell said.
As impressive as the tournament win was on its own, the route St. Thomas used to get there displayed the strength of the St. Thomas defence and the talent of goalkeeper Emily Gillet, who did not allow a single goal throughout the tournament. In its first game, St. Thomas blanked Oakridge 3-0 on goals by Alana Cornet, Robyn Dunn and Nicole Carrier. In its second game, Caitlyn Dunseath was the lone goal scorer for St. Thomas in a 1-0 win over Tecumseh. Game 3 was a 0-0 draw with Acton and then, in the semifinal round, Jenny Lee Graham potted three goals for St. Thomas in a 4-0 defeat of Fergus.
Kelsey Bates had the other St. Thomas goal. In the final against Windsor, Crystal Corey notched St. Thomas’s winning goal.
Sports Briefs - June 23, 24, 25
June 25th
ST. THOMAS TROUNCES
St. Thomas took Tillsonburg Titans to the woodshed in London District Youth Soccer League U10 girls play Thursday in Tillsonburg, winning 12-0. Scoring for St. Thomas: Taylor Goodhue (2), Braelyn Dennis, Kaily Dennis (2), Emma Butters, Reagan Moor, Payton Farren Sharp (3), Christine Baxter (2).
June 24th
DYNAMIET, BLAST TIE
St. Thomas Dynamite couldn't blast a vicotry over Byron Blast Green, in London District Youth Soccer League U14 girls play Wednesday in Byron. The teams tied 1-1. Scoring for St. Thomas: Alex Slivar.
June 23rd
GRIFFONS BRIEFS HEAD PLUCK PREDATORS
St. briefs Thomas body Predators were easy prey for London United Griffons in London District Youth Soccer League U9 girls play briefs Sunday body at Cowan Park, losing 9-1 to the visitors. Scoring for St. Thomas was Michaela Babcock.
BST. THOMAS TAMES 'CATS
St. Thomas tamed London Wildcats in London briefs body District Youth Soccer League U12 girls action Monday in London, win ning 3-0. Scoring for St. Thomas: Paisley briefs McGugan body (2) and Haley Summers.
VISITORS BREAK LANCERS
St. Thomas Bango broke Lambeth Lancers in London District Youth Soccer League U11 boys play Monday at Lambeth, winning 5-1. Scoring for St. Thomas: Anthony Ostojic, Tyson Velioski, Eduardo Barrientos (2) and Nicholas Firth.
ST. THOMAS WINS 3-0
St. Thomas was the choice over NL-FC London 99 Select in London District Youth Soccer League action Monday at Cowan Park. St. Thomas defeated London 3-0. Scoring for the home team: Zack Mastrandrea, Joey Hardy, Caden Beshara.
St. Thomas beats LAC Juventus
Patrick Brennan - Times-Journal
Kyle Kirby of St. Thomas SC controls the ball in front of LAC Juventus opponent Sunday in Western Ontario Soccer League Second Division game at Athletic Park. Kirby scored two goals to lead St. Thomas to a 3-1 win. Scott Mugford scored the other goal for St. Thomas and Daniel Masferrer for LAC Juventus on a penalty kick.
Soccer Battle
Nick Lypaczewski - Times-Journal
Jenny Lee Graham, in the white shirt, of St. Thomas SC Tommy White's Source for Sports, battles with a London Portuguese player for the ball in London and Area Women's Soccer League Premier action Sunday at Athletic Park. After scoring the game's first goal and maintaining a 1-0 lead through the half, St. Thomas lost momentum, allowing London to win 3-1. "It was rather disappointing," coach Jennifer Maxwel said. "We had just beatedn them 4-0 four days ago. We went from playing our best game of the year to playing our worst game of the year. I don't know why." Crystal Corey was the St. Thomas scorer. It was St. Thomas's first loss of the season and it dropped the club to second place behind London Portuguese. The team next playes at Soccerfest this weekend in St. Thomas.
News - St. Thomas beats LAC Juventus;
Patrick Brennan - Times-Journal
Kyle Kirby of St. Thomas SC controls the ball in front of LAC Juventus opponent Sunday in Western Ontario Soccer League Second Division game at Athletic Park. Kirby scored two goals to lead St. Thomas to a 3-1 win. Scott Mugford scored the other goal for St. Thomas and Daniel Masferrer for LAC Juventus on a penalty kick.
Sport Briefs - June 22, 2011
BACON'S THREE LEAD WAY
Liam Bacon's three goals sparked St. Thomas SC to a 5-4 win over Ilderton Ignite in London and District Youth Soccer League under-9 boys play Thursday. Rolando Barrientos and Michael Roth also scored for St. Thomas. Zachary Gillis scored twice for llderton, with singles by Logan Palmer and Talon Griffiths.
BANGU BLASTS LANCERS
Eduardo Barrientos and Caleb Schaap split four goals Wednesday to lead St. Thomas Bangu to a 7-0 victory over Lambeth Lancers. Kierman Marchand, Anthony Ostojic and Taylor Honsinger also counted for St. Thomas in the London and District Youth Soccer League under-11 boys game.
SOUTHEND EDGES ST. THOMAS
St. Thomas SC dropped a 1-0 decision to Southend United Lightning on Thursday in London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-10 action. Marin Williams scored for Southend.
WATERLOO NIPS ST. THOMAS
Waterloo FC squeaked by St. Thomas SC 3-2 last Tuesday in boys under-15 Western Ontario Youth Soccer League action. Bleron Xhigolli and Austin Loewen scored for St. Thomas. Paul Edgar had two goals and Christoph Bruckeder one for Waterloo.
Sport Briefs - June 28, 2011
YUREK'S PAIR LIFTS ACADEMY
Two goals from Tom Yurek sparked St. Thomas Academy to a 5-3 win over South Huron United in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League boys under-18 play Friday in Exeter. Brennan Ferris, Eddy Wiebe and Cody Gooding also scored for St. Thomas. Kelvin Knip, Marc Metzger and Koedi Bryon marked for United.
VIPERS TIE FIRESTORM 1-1
St. Thomas Vipers played to a 1-1 draw with German Canadian Firestorm in London and District Youth Soccer League under-9 girls action Sunday. Rianne Neill scored for St. Thomas.
SHARP'S THREE GOALS SPARK ST. THOMAS
Payton Sharp scored three times to lead St. Thomas to a 12-0 win Thursday over the Tillsonburg Titans. Taylor Goodhue, Kailey Dennis and Christine Baxter scored two goals each for St. Thomas in the London and District Youth Soccer League under-10 girls contest. Braelyn Dennis, Emma Butters and Regan Moore also found the mark for St. Thomas.
UNDER-9 SQUAD NIPS LAMBETH 5-4
St. Thomas edged Lambeth Lancers 5-4 Sunday in recent London and District Youth Soccer League boys under-9 play at Cowan Park. Rolando Barrientos and Liam Bacon split four goals for St. Thomas, with Ian MacDonald also counting. Lambeth got goals from Robert Morgan, Brennan Panziera, Jackson Gosling and Logan Pacee-Roth.
St. Thomas Tops St. Columban 2-0
Patrick Brennan - Times-Journal
Scot Mugford of St. Thomas moves the ball Sunday in front of a St. Columban defender in a Western Ontario Soccer League Second Division game at the Athletic Park. Kayle Kirby and Ryan Corby scored in a 2-0 win. Dan Tomas earned the shutout in goal.
WEST ELGIN WILDCATS TAKE GOLD IN WOSSAA A GIRLS SOCCER
R. Mark Butterwick Times-Journal
West Elgin Wildcats won the WOSSAA A girls soccer gold medal this season. Members of the team, from left, are: front, Chloe Steele, Lexi Pemberton, Zoey Van Dyk, Madison Redman, Monica Ganhadeiro; middle, Megan Dieleman, Payton Snobelen, Sylvie Ozinga, Gabi Page, Kim Bandeen, Alicia Oliveira, Emily Varga; back, coach Suzanne McCullough, Karlie Willcocks, Stephanie Campbell, Mary Jane Miller, Brianna Downie, McKayla Monden, Kelsey Vandenberg,
Sport Briefs - June 14, 2011
ST. THOMAS WINS 2-1
LONDON — St. Thomas Bangu edged Oakridge FC 2-1 Friday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-11 boys play. Anthony Ostojic and Eduardo Barrientos scored for St. Thomas, while Kaleb Smith-Cunningham counted for Oakridge.
REBELS FALL 2-1 TO MARCONI
LONDON — St. Thomas Rebels fell 2-1 to Marconi Matrix in London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-14 play Saturday. Courtney Simpson and Victoria Cunningham scored for Marconi, with Gabrielle Hernandez marking for St. Thomas.
White's moves to City Cup Quarters
Alana Cornet's hat trick was icing on the cake MOnday as St. Thomas SC Tommy White's Source for Sports trounced London United Thunder 6-0 at Athletic Park. The win advance's White's to the quarter-final round of the London and Area Women's Soccer League City Cup.
Nicole Carrier, Nikki VanverWallen and Leah Slamen gave St. Thomas the solid advantage in the contest before Cornet potted three consecutive goals to pusth the game out of reach. Emilly Gillett worked the shutout in the St. Thomas goal. St. Thomas, defending City Cup champion, next faced the winner of Wednesday's game between the Sarnia Spirit and North London Galaxy, on Wednesday July 6 6:30 pm, at Athletic Park.
Xhigolli's goal secures win
It takes a 90th-minute goal after three early scores to subdue Woodstock
R. Mark Butterwick Times-Journal
St. Thomas goalkeeper Nathan Milligan keeps his eyes on the ball he's pushed wide of the goal Thursday as St. Thomas beat Woodstock 4-3 in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League under-15 action at Athletic Park.
St. Thomas SC scored three early goals, but needed another from Bleron Xhigolli in the 90th minute to beat Woodstock 4-3 in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League boys under-15 play Thursday at Athletic Park “We started the game on fire,” said St. Thomas coach Mark Pineau. “As the second half wore down, they took it to us but we somehow managed to keep our cool. We marked up as well as we could, but it has to be better.”
Defensive shortcomings bared themselves in he second half after St. Thomas had controlled most of the play in the opening 45 minutes. Austin Loewen opened the scoring just seven minutes into play when he worked his way out front from the right flank to beat Woodstock goalkeeper Justin Black. Loewen was back at it seven minutes later when he, again, was able to work his way to Black’s doorstep. And two minutes later, Ryan Herries made it 3-0.
“We are lucky to have the speed we do up front,” said Pineau. “Austin Loewen can be a game-breaker for us. Even the runs he made and didn’t score (on) he was able to spread out the field for us.” Woodstock pushed forward in the 21st minute and Mark Braun put the visitors on the scoreboard and woke up their attack.
With St. Thomas back on its heels through much of the second half, Woodstock mounted numerous threats, but were unable to get another ball behind St. Thomas keeper Nathan Milligan until the 81st minute when Wyatt Jull’s effort counted. The pressure continued until Xhigolli’s goal gave St. Thomas some breathing room. But in the first minute of added time Jull got behind the home defence and it was a one-goal game again until time ran out. “It’s our lack of defending sometimes,” said Pineau of giving up that late goal. “That will be worked on quite diligently in the next week.
St. Thomas is now 1-1-1 in league play.
R. Mark Butterwick Times-Journal
St. Thomas midfielder Bleron Xhigolli hits the ground hard afer a collision with a Woodstock defender in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League play Thursday at Athletic Park. Xhigolli scored a winning goal in 4-3 St. Thomas victory.
Sport Briefs - June 9-10, 2011
MENACE TOPS ACADEMY 2-1
LONDON — St. Thomas Academy fell 2-1 to the Greater London Menace in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League boys under-18 action Tuesday. Khoi Pham-Nguyan scored both goals for the Meance Sean Gordon replied for St. Thomas.
ST. THOMAS STOPS FAST
St. Thomas SC stopped Greater London FAST 3-1 Tuesday in London and District Youth Soccer League boys under-17 play at Athletic Park. Daniel Gordon, Roge Brooks and Randy Plante scored for St. Thomas.
REBELS FALL 2-0
LONDON — The St. Thomas Rebels dropped a 2-0 decision to the North London Spartans on Tuesday in London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-14 action. Viktorija Burcul and Michaela Valente scored for ther Spartans.
SCORPIONS LOSE 1-0
The Lambeth Lancers edged the St. Thomas Scorpions 1-0 in girls under11 London and District Youth Soccer League play Tuesday at Cowan Park. Karly Ready counted the only goal of the game.
Under-12 boys romp over Taxandria
St. Thomas teams win three, tie one
Zack Mastrandrea and Noah Dos Santos scored two goals apiece Monday to lead St. Thomas SC to an 8-1 romp over Taxandria in London and District Youth Soccer League boys under-12 action at Cowan Park. It was one of five LDYSL contests Monday for St. Thomas sides with the local club coming up with three wins and a draw.
Joey Hardy, Mitchell Burns, Caden Beshara and Jack Bukich also scored against Taxandria, which got a single marker from Trenton Straatman. In girls under-12 play, Peri Hayes counted twice to spark St. Thomas to a 4-0 road win over Southwest Galaxy. Haley Summers and Breena Struthers rounded out the scoring.
The St. Thomas Storm also posted a 4-0 away win, dumping the Southwest Sabres on goals by Emily Jennings, Sarah Wheeler, Jessica Sutherland and Megan Dieleman in girls under-16 action. The St. Thomas Bangu under-11 boys played to a 4-4 draw with NL-FC London Select at Athletic Park. Anthony Ostojic, Tyson Velioski, Eduardo Barrientos and Nicholas Firth were the St. Thomas marksmen.
James Birch scored three goals for Select, with Andrew Henson adding a single tally. In under-14 girls, St. Thomas Dynamite took a 5-0 pasting from Middlesex United Blast whose Kara Seed scored four times. Danielle Sparks counted the other goal. Last week it was: U-11 boys — St. Thomas Bangu 10 (Anthony Ostojic 2, Eduardo Barrientos 2, Caleb Schaap 2, Bryce Perrin, Mike Nemeth, Tyson Velioski, Logan Massecar) East Elgin Heat 2 (Dylan Vandersleen, Tyson Fehr);
U-9 boys — St. Thomas 5 (Rolando Barrientos 2, Tyler Johnston, Arbiol Sulejmani, Liam Bacon) Oakridge Red Devils 4 (Muntather AlKhazreji 2, Ben Sparks, Jack Evans);
U-10 boys — St. Thomas 4 (Luke Ainsworth, Mark Woolley, Taylor Honsinger, Michael Jones) Nor’West Dragons 3 (Camrin Jasinski, Nicholas Defelice, Colton Favalaro);
U-14 boys — St. Thomas 4 (Alejandro Barrientos, Jerid Klassen, Jake Hutchison) Marconi Blue Devils 1 (Keagan Croley);
U-10 girls — St. Thomas 4 (Braelyn Dennis 2, Kailey Dennis, Victoria Moir) Middlesex United 2 (Alysia Knapp, Serenity Brown);
U-12 boys — Lambeth Lancers 2 (D’Arcy Panziera, Berk Rasheed) St. Thomas 0.
Warriors win under-10 crown
St. Thomas girls edge London South End United 1-0 in gold-medal match
St. Thomas Warriors won the Middlesex United under-10 girls soccer tournament. Members of the team, from left, are: front - Kaily Dennis, Goose Waite; second row - Christine Baxter, Taylor Goodhue, Emma Butters, Gracie Clinton, Tori Moir; third row - Braelyn Dennis, Chloe Meldrum, Payton Ferron-Sharp, Taylor Kilday, Emily Sanderson, Reagan Moore, Maya Talon; back - Sadie Waite (mascot) Chris Waite, Jeff Dennis, Heather Moir.
The St. Thomas Warriors edged the London South End United 1-0 on the weekend to win the Middlesex United under-10 girls soccer tournament. Taylor Goodhue scored the only goal when she beat her South End defender to the ball and put it low in the corner early in the match. Much of the play was in the middle of the field for most of the rest of the contest.
Though London challenged, they could not manage to tie the score. The London squad reached the final by ousting the Nor’West Wave 3-1. Nor’West had finished on top of the round-robin section of the tourney. In its semifinal, St. Thomas defeated the host Middlesex United girls 1-0. The Warriors played perhaps their best game of the tournament, with Goose Waite scoring the only goal of the game and Kaily Dennis picking up the shutout.
St. Thomas opened the tourney with 4-0 triumph over the London Southwest Shock. Goodhue led the way with two goals, while Payton Ferron-Sharp and Braelyn Dennis each had one. Chloe Meldrum, Emma Butters, Emily Sanderson and Christine Baxter played strong defensively to help Waite get the shutout.
In their second game, the Warriors beat the Sarnia Spirit 3-1 win. Reagan Moore picked up her first goal of the season for the Warriors. Maya Tallon and Tori Moir played strong games, while Kailey Dennis picked up the win in net.
In the quarter-final round, the Warriors would meet the Shock again and broke away from a 0-0 tie at half time to win 5-0. Taylor Kilday opened the flood gates for St. Thomas, with Christine Baxter, Reagan Moore, Goodhue and Sharp also contributing markers. Waite put up the whitewashing in net.
The Warriors continue regular season play Thursday against the Woodstock Cosmos, 6:30 p.m., at Cowan Park.
Scorpions top Guelph to claim Middlesex United title
St. Thomas won 2-0 in the girls under-11 tournament
The St. Thomas Scorpions captured the Middlesex United girls under-11 soccer tournament championship on the weekend with a 2-0 triumph over Guelph in the title game. Lexus Clarke and Nicole Carnegie provided the scoring and Reeghan Cincelli was strong in goal, earning the shutout.
The Scorpions were lucky to reach the final, having to win in a shootout in their semifinal against North Toronto. Haley Agius gave St. Thomas the lead in the first half only to see North Toronto equal the match in the second half leading to the dramatic, nine-round shootout which finished with Jaylin Wismer scoring the winner just before Tiffany Johnston sealed it with the gamewinning save.
Kaitlin Ellery, Clarke, Agius, Holly Monteith also scored in the marathon shootout. On Saturday, St. Thomas earned the No. 1 playoff seed and a bye to the semifinals with victories over Southwest London and Nor’west London.
St. Thomas got two goals from Agius and singles from Wismer, Skye Black and Monteith in the first half and cruised to a 5-0 win over Southwest. Cincelli and Haley Presant shared the shutout. Against Nor’west, Kaitlin Ellery and Nicole Carnegie scored in the second half for St. Thomas in a 2-0 victory. Wismer and Johnston shared the whitewashing. Chloe Tunstill was a star all weekend, controlling the midfield, and Amanda Vlasman dominated on defence in Sunday’s playoff games.
Vipers Strike
St. Thomas Viper Klara Lattanzio and St. Thomas Predator Rebecca Deleebeeck vie for the ball in London District Youth Soccer League under-nine gilrs play Tuesday. The Vipers defeated the Predators 4-3. Lattanzio scored two goals while Rianne Neil and Aviva Fournie added singles. Sara Bennett scored all three Predator goals.
Local player bound for China
Netminder Rachel Bedek will represent Canada at the 26th Summer Universiade in August
Rachel Bedek
OTTAWA — A St. Thomas woman is one of 20 student athletes who will represent Canada in women’s soccer at the 26th Summer Universiade in August in Shenzhen, China. Rachel Bedek is one of two netminders named to the team Friday in an announcement by Canadian Interuniversity Sport. The St. Joseph’s High School grad attends Carleton University. Women’s soccer made its Universiade debut as a demonstration sport at the 1993 Buffalo Games, when the women’s soccer tournament was held in Hamilton.
The sport became an official Universiade discipline in 2001 in Beijing, China. The defending Universiade champion is South Korea, which defeated Japan in the 2009 gold-medal final. Canada has finished fifth on two occasions, first in Buffalo when six teams competed in the tourney, and then in 2005 in Izmir, Turkey, when 12 countries participated in the event. At the last world university games in 2009 in Belgrade, Serbia, Canada advanced out of pool play before finishing seventh out of 16 countries. Almost half the team announced Friday returns from those games.
“I feel like we have a good, balanced team that is a good representation of the players we have in CIS,” says Trinity Western’s Graham Roxburgh of Trinity Western University, who was announced as Team Canada head coach last May. His school dominates the team. “We looked for players who could adapt to the next level because even though it is university students, it is a completely different level.
Speed of play, the ability to play faster, the ability to be more athletic, to be more aggressive and physical and yet still have a soccer maturity that will allow them to play in a much more competitive environment.” Roxburgh also helmed the 2009 Canadian squad. The team will hold a final training camp including three exhibition games in Vancouver from July 30 to Aug. 5 before departing for China. Canada is one of 12 countries competing in women’s soccer in China.
Bedek is one of two Ontario students on the Canadian squad.
Sport Briefs - June 7, 2011
TWINEM, ELMAUER LEAD WAY
Three goals each by James Twinem and Erik Elmauer gave St. Thomas SC a 6-0 road win over Middlesex in Western Ontario Soccer League Premier Division play Sunday.
TOUGH LOSS TO WOODSTOCK
St. Thomas SC dropped a 4-3 road decision Sunday to the Woodstock Colts in London and District Youth Soccer League boys under-9 play. Corson Hardwick, James Martin and Rolando Barrientos scored for St. Thomas. Woodstock got goals from Adam Whetren, Evan Myers, Stevie Ramsay and Nolan Ramsay.
ST. THOMAS TAKES 6-0 LOSS
The Windsor FC Nationals dumped St. Thomas SC 6-0 in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League under-15 boys action Saturday. Jorian Palenchuk scored three goals for Windsor, while Eriq Jenkins added two and Tanner Drkulec a single.
VIPERS EDGE PREDATORS 4-3
Sara Bennett's three goals were not enough as the St. Thomas Predators lost 4-3 to the St. Thomas Vipers in London and District Youth Soccer League under-9 girls play last Tuesday. Klara Lattanzio had two goals for the Vipers, with Rianne Neill and Aviva Fournie filling out the count.
DYNAMITE TIE DORCHESTER
St. Thomas Dynamite played to a 1-1 standoff with Dorchester in London and District Youth Soccer League under-14 girls play Wednesday. Jasmine Seeha scored for St. Thomas, while Kieva McCulloch marked for Dorchester.
Sport Briefs - June 2, 2011
ST. THOMAS SNUFFS ILDERTON
St. Thomas snuffed Ilderton Ignite 5-0 in London District Youth Soccer League under-12 boys play Monday at Meadowcreek South pitch in Ilderton. Scoring for St. Thomas: Zack Mastrandrea, Noah Dos Santos, Mitchell Burns and Caden Beshara (2).
WOODSTOCK DOUBLES CITY
Visiting Woodstock defeated St. Thomas 2-1 in London District Youth Soccer League under-17 boys play Tuesday at Athletic Park. Scoring for St. Thomas: Jamie Fox.
High hopes for St. Joe's Rams
Robert Chaulk
Josh Groot, veteran net-minder for the St. Joseph’s High School Rams soccer team, tips the ball high over the mesh during practice Monday as the team gets ready for a third consecutive trip to OFSSA in Windsor for games Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Groot has been with the team all along. St. Joe’s was eliminated the past two years in the quarter-finals.
Sports Briefs - May 28,31, June 1
Sports Briefs - June 1st
FEELS HEAD STING
St. briefs Thomas body Storm was stung 2-1 by Wallacetown Sting in London and District Youth Soccer League under-16 girls play Monday at Athletic Park. Scoring for St. thomas: Megan Dieleman.
REBELS HIT BY STRIKERS
St. Thomas Rebels were hit 4-0 by Southwest Strikers in London and District Youth Soccer League under-14 girls play Monday at Athletic Park.
ST. THOMAS BLANKS SPITS
St. Thomas downed Middlesex United Spitfires in a 6-0 victory in London and District Youth Soccer League under-12 girls play Monday at Cowan Park. Scoring for St. Thomas: Breena Struthers, Amanda Farrell, Eric McAdams, Paisley McGugan, Hale Summers (2).
Sports Briefs - May 31
EXTREME FEELS THE HEAT
St. Thomas Heat blanked Woodstock FC Extreme 4-0 Thursday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-14 boys play at Cowan Park. Adi Wardini, Jake Hutchison, Drew Grantham and Alejandro Barrientos scored for St. Thomas.
REBELS FALL PREY TO JAGS
The St. Thomas Rebels lost a 1-0 decision to the Southend United Jaguars on Thursday in London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-14 play at Athletic Park. Josee Morgado scored for Southend.
ST. THOMAS SC TAMES 'CATS
DUTTON — Two goals each from Joey Hardy and Mitchell Burns sparked St. Thomas SC to an 8-1 victory over the West Elgin Wildcats in London and District Youth Soccer League under-12 boys action Friday at Dutton Community Park. Deion Sao, Adam Bilyea, Zack Mastrandrea and Caden Beshara also scored for St. Thomas.
Sports Briefs - May 28
MARCHAND, BROOKS LEAD WAY
CAMBRIDGE — Jalen Marchand and Roge Brooks scored for St. Thomas SC in a 2-0 victory over Cambridge United in London and District Youth Soccer League under-17 boys play Tuesday.
ST. THOMAS TIES BLUEWATER
SARNIA — St. Thomas SC and Bluewater Jr. Blaze played to a 1-1 draw Tuesday in Western Ontario Youth Soccer League under-15 boys action at Lambton College. Austin Loewen scored for St. Thomas, while Robert Clark marked for Bluewater.
Photo Galleries - May 2011
Second Division - Marconi vs St. Thomas
Premier Division - St. Thomas vs. SLB Simple
Premier Division - Portuguese vs St. Thomas
Second Division - LAC Juventus vs St. Thomas
*links will open in a new window/tab
Feairs leads Scorpions
Minor Soccer: St. Thomas 4 - Oakridge 0
Sophie Feairs scored twice Tuesday as the St. Thomas Scorpions blanked the Oakridge Avalanche 4-0 in their London and District Youth Soccer League under11 girls season opener at Cowan Park. Pyper Olver and Skye Black also scored for St. Thomas.
Kaitlin Ellery was solid on defence to help Tiffany Johnston and Jaylin Wismer share the shutout. The Scorpions are back in action Friday, 6:30 p.m., against Lambeth at Cowan Park.
Sport Briefs - May 25, 2011
BURNS COUNTS FOUR IN WIN
Four goals body by Mitchell Burns sparked St. Thomas SC to a 9-2 victory over the German Canadian Firestorm in London and briefs District body Youth Soccer League under-12 boys play Monday at Cowan Park. Zack briefs Mastrandrea body and Caden Beshara added two goals each for St. Thomas, with Noah Dos Santos also marking. briefs body Brysen Watters and Andres Osorio counted for the Firestorm.
DIELEMAN SPARKS STORM
Megan Dieleman scored three times Monday to lead the St. Thomas Storm to a 9-0 romp over the Petrolia Oil Barons in London and District Youth Soccer League under-16 girls action at Athletic Park. Jessica Sutherland and Elizabeth Rollo split four goals for St. Thomas, with singles coming from Lucy Robinson and Moira Milcz.
SUMMERS LEADS U-12S
WOODSTOCK — St. Thomas SC got three goals from Haley Summers in an 8-0 triumph over the Woodstock Whirlwinds on Monday in London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-12 play. Paisley McGugan added two goals for the winners, with Breena Struthers, Erin McAdams and Peri Hayes rounding out the tally.
Speedy Eagles soar 3-0 over Titans
Eagles move on to WOSSAA AAA and Titans to AA, both scheduled for Thursday
AYLMER — It was a matter of flash over form Tuesday as the East Elgin Eagles blanked the Central Elgin Titans 3-0 to win the TVRAA Southeast girls soccer championship.
R. Mark Butterwick Times-Journal
The East Elgin Eagles defeated the Central Elgin Titans 3-0 Tuesday to win the TVRAA South-East girls soccer championship. Members of the team, from left, are: front: Caitlin Duffy; second row: Alyssa Blair, Monica Loewen, Laura Twinem, Selena Braund, Tina Marceau, Carly McCann; third row: Lindsay Crawford, Lucy Robinson, Victoria Grunsell, Kira Cornelissen, Katharine Barrie, Kaylie Buck, Sam Regier; back: Sarah Hardy, Becca Jefferson, coach Doug Lusk, Mady Derrough, Elizabeth Rollo, Averi Nooren, Holly Scherer, coach Christy Halasz, Krista Stevenson, Tracy Kornelsen.
While the Titans are formidable with their methodical game, the Eagles’ system and speedy attacks triumphed yesterday in the first game of what both teams hope will be a successful post-season run. The Eagles and Titans go their separate ways, now. The Eagles to the WOSSAA AAA tournament and the Titans to the AA.
Both are scheduled for Thursday in north London. So although the TVRAA title is a feather in the cap, there are bigger fish to fry for the Eagles. “It was a game we had to play because it’s for a TVRAA championship,” said East Elgin coach Doug Lusk, “but I knew (CECI coach) Gerry Safadi is looking down the road at WOSSAA on Thursday and we are, too.
R. Mark Butterwick Times-Journal
East Elgin's Laura Twinem gets up for the head ball Tuesday as the Eagles beat the Central Elgin Titans 3-0 for the TVRAA South-East girl soccer championship.
“It was a good game today, but our focus is Thursday right now.” East Elgin found great success attacking down the left wing yesterday. Scoring all three times on crossing balls from that side. The first came 19 minutes into the game when Becca Jefferson’s cross was converted by Katharine Barrie. Alyssa Blair entered the game to give Jefferson a break and fed Tina Marceau for the second goal in the 32nd minute.
The Eagles finished off the tally when Averi Nooren’s chip header, from Jefferson, got behind Central Elgin goalkeeper Jennifer Wakefield. “The first time we played Central Elgin we were down a few players and my veterans came back today,” said Lusk. “There have injuries, they’ve been playing club soccer, too. We had a little bit more speed than the first time we played them, certainly.
“Certainly Becca Jefferson has a lot of speed so we like to use that.” Jefferson simplified her success as being “because of my teammates getting a through ball to me and making a run and getting it crossed and good forwards finishing it.” The Titans did a good job handling the always-dangerous Nooren’s runs down the left side, but were unable to consistently control Jefferson’s bursts to create scoring chances.
The Titans had their best scoring chance in the 74th minute. East Elgin keeper Caitlin Duffy came out to challenge Central’s Randi-Jo Francis who fed the ball of to a charging Rebecca Liberatore, but she couldn’t find the net under pressure of the EESS defence.
The Eagles will open WOSSAA against the loser of the Regina Mundi vs. Catholic Central contest.
White's ties opener 1-1
Nikki VanderWallen
St. Thomas Tommy White’s Source for Sports played to a 1-1 draw on the road with Nairn in their season opener on Sunday in the London and Area Women’s Soccer League Premier Division. White’s dominated control in the contest and went up in the first half on a goal by Nikki VanderWallen. Nairn got the tying goal 20 minutes in the second half. St. Thomas hit shots off the crossbar and the goal post but couldn’t find the second marker. Next up for White’s is their home opener on Sunday, 4 p.m., at Athletic Park.
On to Victory
R. Mark Butterwick Times-Journal
Rob Freeman, left, of St. Thomas jumps over a Hungarian player chasing a loose ball Sunday in a Western Ontario Soccer League Second Division game at Athletic Park. Goals by Scott Mugford, Keegan Andrews and Jeff West helped St. Thomas defeat Hungarians 4-1. who got their only goal from Kevin Braiden.
East Elgin tramples Dorchester 6-0
Eagles advance to TVRAA South-East final Tuesday
AYLMER — With due confidence, the East Elgin Eagles disposed of the Lord Dorchester Beavers 6-0 Friday to move on to the TVRAA SouthEast girls’ soccer final.
R. Mark Butterwick Times-Journal
The ball squirts out of a collision between Lord Dorchester's Annalise Roby, left and Kala Arbuckle, and East Elgin's Krista Stevenson during TVRAA South-East girls soccer semifinal play Friday in Aylmer. East Elgin moved into the championship game Friday in St. Thomas with a 6-0 victory.
The Eagles controlled every part of the field yesterday as they put up a quick goal by Laura Twinem that would stand up as the gamewinner. Monica Loewen made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute with a shot inside the right post from the left side, and Becca Jefferson beat her check and then Beavers goalie Mackenzie Wright scored from in close 10 minutes later.
“We had a chat about playoff games times and about, ‘Let’s score goals quickly and force the other teams to get down,’” said Eagles coach Doug Lusk. “Playing from behind is never fun and the longer a game goes and you let teams you expect to beat stay in it, the more pressure that gets on you. We came out today and scored some early goals and it made a difference quickly.”
R. Mark Butterwick Times-Journal
East Elgin’s Laura Twinem, (12), chips the ball over Lord Dorchester defender Kala Arbuckle in their TVRAA South-East girls soccer semifial Friday in Aylmer. Twinem scored the opening goal in a 6-0 Eagles romp.
Lusk started to go to his bench after the third goal and the Eagles continued to apply pressure. Holly Scherer made it 4-0 on a direct kick from the edge of the box that got between Wright’s hands in the 44th minute. With the starters back in to open the second half, Tina Marceau made it 5-0 just four minutes in. “I always believe in starting gamestarters right away,” said Lusk, “then the rest of my subs who deserved to play played the remainder of the game and played pretty well. I’m quite happy with them.”
East Elgin’s finally goal came in the 71st minute when Tracy Kornelsen chipped one up over the Lord Dorchester keeper. Eagle goalkeepers Kaitlin Duffy and Kira Cornelissen shared the shutout. The sides had the luxury yesterday of playing on a fine surface in a season that has seen too many soggy fields with long grass. “The credit belongs to Sean Bielhartz and our horticulture program at East Elgin,” said Lusk. “We had rugby here last night and they were out this morning. They cut it, they rolled it, they made sure it was in shape for today.”
The South-East final goes Tuesday, 3 p.m., at Athletic Park where the Eagles will face the Central Elgin Titans.
Titans move into South-East final
TILLSONBURG — The Central Elgin Titans punched their ticket to the TVRAA South-East girls soccer final with a 5-1 victory Friday over the Glendale Gemini. The win also assured the Titans of a spot in the WOSSAA tournament coming up next Thursday. Central Elgin struck early in the first half yesterday as Maddie Devries’ free kick was stopped, but the rebound was put into the net by Erin Kope.
The half ended 1-0, but the Titans possessed the ball for large portions of those first 45 minutes. The Titans went up 2-0 on a goal by Randi-Jo Francis before Glendale’s Taylor Campbell would make the score 2-1.
Francis was later brought down in the box and Amanda Dafoe stepped up for CECI and made it 3-1 on the penalty shot. Niki McDonald added two more goals for CECI to put the game well out of reach. The Titans will face the East Elgin Eagles in the South-East championship game Tuesday, 3 p.m., at Athletic Park.
Game 245: LDYSL - L5 Boys U14 Thursday, May 19, 2011
Athletic Park 2 @ 18:30
Home St Thomas Heat 97B-L5 1 - 0 Away Middlesex United Strikers 97B-L5
Goal Scorers: Jerid KLASSEN
Sport Briefs - May 20, 2011
DYNAMITE EDGES BYRON
St. Thomas Dynamite defeated Byron Blast Green 2-1 Wednesday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-14 girls play at Athletic Park. Carrie Curtis and Emma Ritchie scored for St. Thomas. Gillian Anderson counted for Byron.
ST. THOMAS U-11s FALL 7-1
WOODSTOCK— St. Thomas Bangu suffered a 7-1 loss Tuesday to Woodstock Jr. Stallions in London and District Youth Soccer League boys under-11 action. Tyson Velioski scored for St. Thomas. Adam Abouzeenni marked five times for Woodstock, with Kieth Dickson and Samuel Call adding single goals.
KLASSEN’S GOAL STANDS UP
Jerid Klassen scored the only goal of the game Thursday as the St. Thomas Heat defeated the Middlesex United Strikers 1-0 in London and District Youth Soccer League boys under-14 action at Athletic Park.
GOODHUE SPARKS VICTORY
Three goals by Taylor Goodhue sparked St. Thomas SC to a 4-0 victory over the Southwest Shock in London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-10 play Thursday at Cowan Park. Braelyn Dennis also marked for St. Thomas.
LASERS BEAT U-14s 2-0
STRATHROY — St. Thomas SC dropped a 2-0 road decision Thursday to the Middlesex Lasers in London and District Youth Soccer League under-14 boys play. David Olmstead and Tyler Grasman scored for the Lasers.
Persistence pays off for Titans
Central Elgin eliminates St. Joseph’s 2-0
R. Mark Butterwick Times-Journal
Central Elgin goalkeeper Jennifer Wakefield dives along the goal line to tip a ball just wide of the post Wednesday as the Titans defeated St. Joseph's 2-0 in their.
The Central Elgin Titans kept pounding away at the St. Joseph’s defence Wednesday and it paid off with a 2-0 victory and a trip to the TVRAA South-East girls soccer semifinals on Friday. Through a scoreless first half, the Titans kept coming forward and being turned away by a Rams side that was defence all the way, making only occasional offensive thrusts on long-ball breaks.
R. Mark Butterwick Times-Journal
Central Elgin's Rebecca Liberatore is sent flying by St. Joseph's defender Deanna Barrow (11) in TVRAA South-East quarter-final soccer action Wednesday at CECI. The host Titans won 2-0.
But it was the Rams who almost got the first breakthrough when they pounded one off the crossbar behind CECI goalkeeper Jennifer Wakefield 13 minutes into the second half. The ball came straight down and a brief St. Joe’s celebration was detoured by the referee’s “play on.” Two minutes later, the Titans got on the score sheet on a high ball from 35 yards out off the foot of Amanda Dafoe. Rams keeper Kaela Pinea tracked it as it sailed toward the left post, but seemed handcuffed by it when it shorthopped by her into the net.
The goal immediately changed the flavour of the game as the Rams ramped up the intensity on offence, led by Nicole Buttigieg whose pushes down the right wing started creating scoring chances for St. Joe’s. But Central Elgin’s defence kept the Rams at nil in the onegoal contest until Randi-Jo Francis put the game away in the 90th minute.
The Titans’ threat up the right side had been tightly marked throughout the contest, but her relentless rushes finally paid off when she broke up the side of the box to push the ball past Pinea. Stymied in the first half, coach Gerry Safadi said it was a matter of his Titans keeping up the pressure in the offensive end. “We were trying to get the ball wide and serve the ball in. We just kept telling the girls to shoot the ball. That’s the biggest thing. Sometimes they tend to look to pass first. The goal we scored, (Amanda) threw it at the net and it went in. But that’s what happens when you take a chance.
“That’s all we worked on in practice, just trying to shoot a little bit more. The girls know what to do. They move the ball. It’s just getting them confident in taking that last shot instead of one more pass.” Both goalkeepers, said Safadi, had big moments. “Their keeper made a couple of really nice saves and Jen Wakefield made that one big save for us when she pushed it past the far post. Both goalies did some good things.
“Once we scored, they started taking it to us. We were a little bit scrambly there for a little bit and they kept coming. We hung in there and then Randi-Jo got that one and it iced it there at the end. Their keeper, again, came out well on that goal Randi got. She came out at the right time. Randi just got that one by her. The chance before, she robbed Randi.
“We gutted this one out. It was a tough game and now we’ve got to deal with Friday (South-East semifinals). More than likely, it will be in Tillsonburg and they’re also double-A so the loser will be done (for WOSSAA consideration). “But their field’s beautiful so I don’t mind going there. It’s big, flat, cut, it’s on sand. I said to Randi that it will be nice for her to actually run where the footing is going to be OK.
“She’s been battling the (wet, uncut) field and good defenders all year. You can’t surprise people, they know who she is and she takes a beating, but she keeps going at it and scores goals like that (game clincher).” Tillsonburg advanced yesterday with a 3-0 win over Ingersoll.
Elsewhere, East Elgin beat Parkside 3-0 and will play host Friday to Lord Dorchester, who beat St. Mary’s 3-2. Also Recommended Astronaut ‘visits’ local studentsSt. Thomas Times-Journal - Thu, 19 May 2011 Route of trail still uncertainSt. Thomas Times-Journal - Thu, 19 May 2011 BYGONE DAYS:St. Thomas Times-Journal - Thu, 19 May 2011
New coach excited with lineup
Loss of league’s top goal-scorer will spread touches among Tommy White’s talented front-liners
With a mix of solid veterans and some new faces that bring loads of talent, Tommy White’s Source for Sports will be looking to remain near the top of the standings in the Premier Division of the London and Area Women’s Soccer League.
When the season opens Sunday at Nairn, the St. Thomas club will also have a new face pacing the sidelines as Jennifer Maxwell takes over the reins from longtime coach Gerry Safadi.
Jennifer Maxwell
Maxwell played for Safadi when she plied the pitch for the local Premier squad, her final season being 2003 when St. Thomas last won the division. “It’s kind of interesting to try to fill Gerry’s shoes,” Maxwell said Tuesday. “He coached me when I played (Premier). He’s very well-organized and very well-liked.” Maxwell has been coaching for a number of years, but this is her first hitch at the helm of a women’s team. But the players “have been great with me and are responding to me.”
White’s finished second to North London Galaxy last season, but then defeated their archrivals in the City Cup final. One of the cornerstones returning this season is goalkeeper Emily Gillet. “She’s a real leader,” said Maxwell. “She very vocal and takes charge of her defence. She lets the girls know what they have to do . . . on free kicks and corner kicks, who to pick up and how many she wants in the wall. She talks to them all the time. That’s so important.”
Also among key contributors coming back are sweeper Michelle Fric and midfielder Christina Fric. “The Fric twins are really, really strong. They are so reliable. They do their job and they’re great in the air. Their work ethic is unbelievable. They’ll mark players like crazy and they’re just so likable and so coachable.” Though Treena Ferguson, who led the league in scoring with 15 goals in only half a season last year, is not returning in order to focus on her education, White’s returns some serious firepower up front in Alana Cornet and Crystal Corey.
Joining them will be Tanya Beishuizen, who was second in team scoring last year while switching to forward when called upon from her backline spot, and Nikki VanderWallen, who led the First Division with 23 goals in 2010. “Cornet has unbelievable ball skills,” said Maxwell. “She’s got a wicked shot and she’s a real setup artist. She’s got good moves and great game sense.
She knows where to put it, and how to get open.” Beishuizen has the finishing skills to move to the fore in team scoring, and Corey and Cornet should also cash in on the extra touches that will be theirs with Ferguson’s departure. While the front-liners develop their attack, the backbone of the squad could be a sturdy defence. “We have strong defenders and I don’t think we’ll get scored on a lot,” said Maxwell. “I think that will be a strength.”
Adding to the already firm group of back-liners is newcomer Christina Longrelle who “is gonna be a tough player. She’s unreal, she’s so controlled, and she’s so fit.” Veteran captain Nicole Fitzgerald is taking the season off. That leadership role is not yet determined, but there is a chemistry building on the team. “I already see it,” said Maxwell. “Some of it was already there with the core of the team that’s back. And they’re welcoming the new girls and the new talent.
“I’m really excited about this team.”
Goal: Emily Gillet
Back: Michelle Fric Shelby Duwyn Katelyn Doyle Carly Myles Christina Longrelle
Midfield: Christina Fric Leah Slamen Jenny Graham Nicole Carriere Caitlyn Dunseath Robyn Dunn
Front: Alana Cornet Crystal Corey Tanya Beishuizen Nikki VanderWallen Baillie Maxwell
Sport Briefs - May 19, 2011
CATS UPEND RAMS ON KICKS
The West Elgin Wildcats upset the St. Joseph's Rams 3-2 on kicks in a displaced TVRAA South-East boys soccer quarter-final Wednesday. The game was moved to the Saxonia field in Aylmer because of wet conditions at St. Joe's. The Rams got out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Nick Hicknell and Matt Vandenburg, but the Wildcats roared back to even the count and send the match into overtime.
When extra time decided nothing, the decision went to kicks where West Elgin prevailed 2-1. Also yesterday, the East Egin Eagles beat the Central Elgin Titans 3-1, the Ingersoll Blue Bombers ousted Huron Park by the same score and the St. Mary's Warriors blanked the College Avenue Knights 4-0. Firday's semifinals will see East Elgin hosting Ingersoll, while West Elgin travels to Woodstock to meet St. Mary's.
BROWN POTS FIVE IN VICTORY
Nicole Brown scored five goals to lead St. Thomas SC to a 15-0 pasting of White Eagles in London and Area Women's Soccer League First Divison play Monday at Athletic Park. Jessica Dryfhout added three goals for the winners, while Grace Jones and Chloe Steele tacked on two apiece with singles coming from Emily Jones and Kourtney Koentizer.
MCGUGAN LEADS 8-1 ROMP
With four goals from Paisley McGugan, St. Thoams SC dumped the Tillsonburg Titans 8-1 Monday in London and District Youth Soccer League under-12 girls action at Cowan Park. Haley Summers tallied twice for St. Thomas, with Breena Struthers and Erin McAdams rounding out the count.
ST. THOMAS FALLS 5-1
St. Thomas SC dropped a 5-1 decision Tuesday to the Lambeth Lancers in London and District Youth Soccer League under-17 boys play at Athletic Park. Fernando Barrientos scored for St. Thomas. Lambeth got two goals from Peter Diaco and Cameron Bond, and one from Russell Cuddie.
Sport Briefs - May 18, 2011
REBELS TIE DEVILS 1-1
The St. Thomas Rebels played to a 1-1 tie with London United Red Devils in recent London and District Youth Soccer League under-14 girls play. Haylie Leblanc scored for St. Thomas, while Jaiden Tu counted for London.
GOODHUE SCORES THREE
Taylor Goodhue scored three goals for St. Thomas in a 4-2 victory over the Byron Bullets in recent London and District Youth Soccer League under-10 girls action. Victoria Moir also marked for St. Thomas. Byron got goals from Rhianna David and Mackenzie Bertelsen.
Domino's Pizza U9s nearly come back in LDYSL opener
Tillsonburg Minor Soccer
Chris Abbot
Tillsonburg News
Tillsonburg Domino's Pizza U9s boys nearly delivered in the final minutes of Sunday's LDYSL L6 soccer game against St. Thomas.
Trailing 6-3 late in a back-and-forth game at the Tillsonburg Minor Soccer Park, Cameron Latta and Blake Roy, with his second of the game, scored to close the gap. Time ran out, but the Domino's Pizza U9s left the field smiling after their first-ever London District rep league game.
"We have work to do, but based on the score we had – 6-5 – the boys did an excellent job," said Domino's Pizza coach Peter McDowell. "We have to learn a little more positional play, and not to question any calls from the parents, coaches, or referee.
"It's a work in progress and the boys are going to do very well this year, I think. It's a brand new team – all the kids are the best of the house leagues, up till this point."
McDowell saw the team's potential during a U8 select tournament last summer, and 'stepped up' this spring as coach to help make them better soccer players.
"I'm impressed, but I kind of have a feeling that they're going to it themselves, too, with a little extra tutelage from Kevin De Serpa helping me – he knows more about the sport than I'll ever know.
"I'd like the boys to really focus on ball control," said McDowell. "The defence, all they want to do is kick it. I'd rather see them make a move around a defender, head up, and look for a midfielder or striker or even a winger to go in with the ball.
"Today's was perfect for that. Everyone goes to the middle and there's too many people in the middle. If we can use the sidelines the way they're supposed to be used, we're going to be a good, good team."
Mark Locker and Carter Newson also scored for Tillsonburg.
Also playing for the Domino's U9s are Brady Rangel, Sean Battin, Marshal Baker, Chase Mueller, Jack Moore, Mark Locker, Connor McDowell, Matthew Searles, Ryan Moore, and Matthew Fabi.
"It was a good effort tonight, the way the boys came back like that," said coach McDowell. "Another two minutes and we might have had them."
The last five minutes are the most important, McDowell told his team. And the Domino's Pizza U9 boys responded with a strong finish.
"What happens in the last five minutes is what wins soccer games. I was quite impressed with the boys, they really pulled up their socks.
"A couple injuries tonight, but other than that we did good," McDowell summed up.
The Domino's U9s will play at Middlesex United next Sunday.
Sport Briefs - May 11, 2011
FIVE FOR PIETERS-PARNALL
Paige Pieters-Parnall scored five goals Monday to lead St. Thomas SC to a 13-2 romp over Taxandria in London and District Youth Soccer League girls under-12 action.
Paisley McGugan added three goals for St. Thomas, while Haley Summers and Breena Struthers tacked on two apiece, and Julia Starcevic a single. Jamie Butts and Marissa Swan scored for Taxandria.
STORM TAKES 2-1 VICTORY
St. Thomas Storm edged by the Oakridge Heat 2-1 in London and District Youth Soccer League girls under16 play Monday. Moira Milcz and Jordin Higgs marked for St. Thomas, with Nicole Hollis counting for Oakridge.
ST. THOMAS WINS 6-5
St. Thomas SC spread the scoring wide Sunday in a 6-5 win over the Tillsonburg Titans in London and District Youth Soccer League boys under-9 action.
Tyler Johnston, Rolando Barrientos, James Martin, Liam Bacon, Ian MacDonald and Coleton Robinson-Sareh all scored for St. Thomas. Tillsonburg got two goals from Blake Roy, with singles coming from Mark Locker, Carter Newson and Cameron Latta.
Titans prevail on soggy pitch
Wet spring stalls teams’ ability to develop their game
R. Mark Butterwick - Times Journal
Central Elgin’s Kayla Fulford slices between two Arthur Voaden defenders Tuesday as the Titans defeated the visiting Vikings 4-0 at CECI in TVRAA South soccer action.
The dismal weather conditions this spring continue to put a damper on local sports and Tuesday’s slate of games was no exception.
In high school soccer, for example, wet conditions forced the relocation of yet another double-header as the Arthur Voaden Vikings gave up their home field at soggy Athletic Park to tangle with the Central Elgin Titans on the back practice field at CECI.
The condition weren’t any better, perhaps worse, but the turf there could be said less valuable than the pitches at The Ath. “It’s like playing in a jungle,” said Titans striker Randi-Jo Francis who, along with everyone else, was struggling to ply the long, wet grass. The Titans did prevail, 4-0 over the Vikings, with Rebecca Liberatore scoring three goals and Amanda Dafoe one.
Voaden goalkeeper Alex Barker was a busy girl as most of the play was in her end of the field and she stood up well. Conditions this spring have hampered all the teams as they work to develop their game. “It makes it difficult,” said Titans coach Gerry Safadi. “We’re looking at trying to develop some passing patterns and some combination play and it’s affecting our ability to practise. And then, in games, we’re playing in conditions where it’s just not conducive to trying any of that.
We’re working on trying to play the ball on the ground, and possession, but it makes it really hard. “Of course, it’s making it hard for every team out there.
Titans, Eagles battle it out to 1-1 draw
The top two teams in TVRAA South fight to the finish in a battle where cold temperatures and blustery winds dominated
R. Mark Butterwick - Times Journal
Central Elgin's Randi-Jo Francis (6) breaks away from the check of East Elgin's Selena Braund in TVRAA South soccer action Thursday. The Titans scored late to leave Aylmer with 1-1 tie.
AYLMER — Nothing was decided Thursday as the top two girls soccer teams in TVRAA South waged soccer war on a cold and blustery day at Columbus Park. Niki McDonald scored in the dying seconds to give the Central Elgin Titans a 1-1 draw with the East Elgin Eagles in a contest in which the weather had its own say. Chilled and fighting the wind, the game was not as poetic as these two sides can compete. It was, however, the head-to-head struggle that was expected. “Great game between two great teams,” Eagles coach Doug Lusk said after the final whistle.
“It’s soccer that people should come watch.” East Elgin got out quickly yesterday when Tina Marceau scored early in the first half. The Eagles were more successful pushing the ball to the offence, but were unable to find an extra goal to add security to their lead. “The wind obviously dictated things,” said Titans coach Gerry Safadi. “But I think because it’s so early in the season both teams are kinda feeling things out a little bit.
“I didn’t think we moved that ball that well. Part of that’s dictated by the weather and part of it is just because we haven’t been able to practise much. It made it tough.
“(East Elgin is) very quick so it makes it hard to move the ball anyway because they close you pretty fast. “They marked (striker Randi-Jo Francis) really well. And we didn’t help Randi-Jo up front either because we were trying to give her balls when they had her marked up. We’ve got to learn from that. We’ll have to deal with how to avoid that in the future. Teams are going to kinda close down on her.”
The tying goal, Safadi said, capped a solid day for McDonald. “She had two other free kicks where she almost put them in, and she did well with that one. She put it in the exact spot . . . where it had to go. She had a great game for us. She worked hard the entire 90 minutes, other than a five-minute break we gave her. She was huge for us out there.”
Safadi also said he is impressed with the progress of his rookie goalkeeper, Jenn Wakefield, a Grade 12 student new to the game.
WESS takes soaked opener
East Elgin dumps St. Joe’s 4-0
R. Mark Butterwick - Times Journal
West Elgin’s Megan Dieleman, left, holds her ground against Parkside’s Alyssa Kirk (12) and Taylor Feick-Bardawill as the TVRAA South girls soccer season opened Tuesday at PCI. West Elgin won 2-1.
The TVRAA South girls soccer season kicked off Tuesday under less-than-ideal conditions and one game didn’t go at all.
Rain soaked and aided the West Elgin Wildcats’ 2-1 win over the Parkside Stampeders, while in Aylmer, the host East Elgin Eagles dumped the St. Joseph’s Rams 4-0. The Glencoe Gaels saved the bus fare to St. Thomas as their game at Central Elgin was put off with the threat of rain.
The Stampeders and Wildcats wrestled through a defensive standoff for most of the first half until Stephanie Campbell scored for the visitors in the late-going. Kelsey Gosnell’s throw-in was pushed off Emily Varga’s knee down the right side to Campbell, who had to bend it like Beckham to beat Parkside keeper Sarah Bennett.
The Stampeders drew back even seven minutes into the second half when Avery VanOverberghe ran down a long ground ball to flip it past Zoey VanDyk in the WESS goal.
Parkside almost took the lead five minutes later when Jessica Sutherland’s shot from 20 yards out struck the right post. The winning goal came in the 74th minute as the teams struggled through the rain and Parkside’s dark blue couldn’t be readily distinguished from the West Elgin blacks. Jessica Small scored the winner on a shot that Bennett appeared to have easily handled, but the wet ball slipped through her grasp. “I think we did really well today considering we have a lot of rookies on our team,” said West Elgin coach Suzanne McCullough. “The girls gelled. The first 10 minutes were a little rocky and then they pulled it together. “I’d like to see a little bit more (offensive organization). We’d like to work it down the sides more and then do a little bit more crossing at the top. But they were getting there. Toward the end of the game they were definitely working better together.”
Parkside coach Eric Rodgers said, “I think we had a lot of bright spots where certain girls stepped up in situations and we got to see that unfold. First game of the season, that’s what you look to see.”
With the Stampeder defence looking to be ahead of the offence at this early point of the season, Rodgers said, “We’ve build our strength from the defence forward. We want to build the team that way and work on a transition attack. We’re working on developing that second and third touch to score a goal. We’re looking to get that by the end of the season. Sometimes that happens on its own with team chemistry.
“I’m stressing with the girls that our team will evolve and we’re looking to evolve into playoff form. There’s no pressure. I’m not hitting the panic button. “It’s tough to take solace in a 2-1 loss, but we know that we were one bounce away from a good, hard tie. I’ll take that.”
Meanwhile, East Elgin got goals from Mady Derrough, Katharine Barrie, Averi Nooren and Tina Marceau to get their season off to a strong start in defeating St. Joe’s.
Thursday’s schedule has West Elgin hosting the Arthur Voaden Vikings, East Elgin at Central Elgin and Glencoe at St. Joseph’s. All games have a 2 p.m. kickoff.
Season opens with Rams, Wildcats wins
St. Joe’s tops East Elgin 2-1 and West Elgin defeats Parkside 3-2
AYLMER — The St. Joseph’s Rams spoiled the home opener for the East Elgin Eagles on Tuesday as the TVRAA South boys soccer season opened on two fronts.
After a scoreless first half, the Rams found the net from an unusual play toward midfield when a hard East Elgin ball hit St. Joe’s Chris Kelly and skied back toward the Eagles goal, looping over the keeper.
Jamie Fox bumped it to 2-0 on a nice little run up the left side, making a couple of moves and curling it into the Eagles goal. Clint Walker got one back for East Elgin with 15 minutes remaining, but the Eagles could get no closer.
At Parkside, the Stampeders fought back from two down to tie the game only to see the West Elgin Wildcats head back to West Lorne with 3-2 victory. Jason Ambrose and Maikal Dieker got the Wildcats out to the early lead, with Aaron Kirk converting a penalty kick for PCI to narrow the gap to 2-1 at the half.
Niels Attendboxter scored from the box with his back to goalkeeper Tyson Ford to get the Stampeders on even terms. But Ambrose scored his second of the afternoon to put the win on West Elgin’s board. A scheduled game between Glencoe and Central Elgin was not played.
There’s a trio of 3:45 p.m. games slated for Thursday with Glencoe at St. Joseph’s, East Elgin at Central Elgin and Arthur Voaden at West Elgin.
Sharp Left
R. Mark Butterwick - Times Journal
Parkside's Aaron Kirk turns the corner against West Elgin's Kyle Barber in TVRAA South boys soccer action Tuesday at PCI. The visiting Wildcats won 3-2.
Futsal Champs
Patrick Brennan - Times-Journal
The Red Angels defeated Optic 11-5 Sunday in the London and St. Thomas Futsal men's championship at Central Elgin Collegiate Institute. The Red Angels also won the league's Cup competition. Members of the team are Jim Kalmpalikis, left, Keegan Andrews, Jamie Smith, Frank Robert Lattanzio, Josh Hearn and Curtis Langley.
Futsal Awards 2011
Andrew Buttigieg, third from left, convener of th St. Thomas High School Futsal League, presents the trophy to the boys division champs, Rams FC, who claimed the title Saturday. Accepting the trophy is Devin Cannon. Other members of the team are Matt Vandenberg, back left, Corey Davidson, Joaquim DeSousa, Mark Lynch and Alfonso Coto.
Tim Fenema, left, president of the St. Thomas High School Futsal League, presents the trophy for the girls division championship to Sarah Meka and Amanda Dafoe, of the Titans. They beat the Lady Rams 6-5 Saturday.
Tim Fenema, left, president of the St. Thomas High School Futsal League, presents the high scorer's trophy for the girls division to Jodi Buttigieg, of the Lady Rams, following the championship game Saturday. Buttigieg socer 26 goals in the eight-game season.
Photos by Patrick Brennan, Times-Journal
Duwyn Honoured by GLIAC
Shelby Duwyn
Shelby Duwyn of St. Thomas has been named to the all-academic women's soccer team of excellence in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Duwyn, 19, obtained a 3.7 GPA while helping the Northwood Timberwolves to their best overall season record at 8-10. She is to be honoured Feb. 24 at halftime of an NU basketball game against Northern Michigan.
The sophomore defender plans to return to St. Thomas this summer to play for St. Thomas SC in the London and Area Women's Soccer League Premier Division team.
Safadi steps back into future
He’s trading his post as coach of the city’s top women’s team to introduce girls under-9 to the competitive level
Gerry Safadi
Gerry Safadi isn’t exactly retiring. It’s more like he’s stepping back from coaching the top women’s team in St. Thomas to introduce competitive soccer for the first time at the girls’ under-9 level.
Safadi has been at the helm of the St. Thomas Soccer Club’s entry in the Premier Division of the London and Area Women’s Soccer League since its inception. And his record speaks for itself as St. Thomas has never finished out of the top three in the history of the Premier Division.
The division started in 2003, with St. Thomas finishing first and Martha Aristone leading the scoring race. Aristone won scoring title again in 2004 when St. Thomas finished second In 2005, St. Thomas finished third and the club had its third scoring champ in a row as Treena Ferguson was the top Premier gunner. Safadi’s squad followed with second-place finishes in 2006 and 2007, was third in 2008 and second in 2009.
Last year, St. Thomas again finished second, behind Ferguson’s loop-leading finishing touch, and also won the City Cup. “I will be taking on a very different challenge as I coach the U-9 girls travel team,” Safadi said Wednesday. “This is the first year that the club has offered competitive soccer to players at this age group. This age group will focus on fundamental skills and, hopefully, really foster a love for the game.
“The league is 7-on-7, which allows them to get as many touches on the ball during a game as possible. The team will practice twice a week and play once. “The premier women’s team has been very successful over the years as we have always been near the top of a very competitive LAWSL Premier Division. “The team will be returning many of last year’s lineup with several new players trying to make the team.
“I am hoping to get some of the Premier women out for a few of the U-9 practices. The Premier women are great role models for the girls and I think it would be a nice motivator for the younger players. We will also try to have the U-9’s watching some of the Premier women’s home games as well.” Soccer season peeks out from under the snow on Saturday with the first of two registration days at Central Elgin Collegiate Institute, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The second date is Feb. 5.
Registration may also be done online at this web site.
Titans Cream of the Crop in Women's Futsal
Patrick Brennan - Times Journal
The Titans took home both the league championship and cup trophy for the women's division in Elgin Highschool Futsal League playoffs. Fron row: Madi Homewood, left, Sarah Meka, Danielle Starcevic and Lisa Tower. Back row: Courtney Allen, left, Kristen Fulford, Amanda Dafoe and Sarah Weinstein.
Futsal League Honours Top Scorers
Patrick Brennan - Times Journal
Tim Fennema, left, president of the Elgin Highschool Futsal League, presents Nicole Buttigieg with the trophy as the top femal scorer in the league. She scored 26 goals in regular-season play.
Patrick Brennan - Times Journal
Tim Fennema, left, president of the Elgin Highschool Futsal League, presents the trophy for the top male scorer to Jordan Groulx of Rams FC, who scored 26 goals this season.
Cup Champs
Patrick Brennan - Times Journal
The Stamps won the men's cup championship for the Elgin Highschool Futsal League. Front row, from left, are Nino Direnzo, Cody Howard, Bryce Gardner and Ryan Herries. Back row, from left, are Aaron Kirk, Nate Milligan, Tyler Coursolle, Belron Xhigolli, Aaron Squires and player-coach Alban Burani.
Rams Win League
Patrick Brennan - Times Journal
Andrew Buttigieg, left, vice-president of the Elgin Highschool Futsal League, presents a plaque to members of Rams FC, men's division regular-season champions: Mike Wheeler, Tomi Wimbush, Mark Lynch, Jordan Groulx, Corey Davidson and Devin Cannon.