The OSA News Bulletin  

VAUGHAN, July 26, 2012 — The 2012 Ontario Cup presented by Boston Pizza has wrapped up its first set of Semi-Finals. The Under 18 Boys and Girls, as well as the Under 21 Men’s and Women’s divisions took the field in Vaughan today. Teams emerging victorious have earned a spot in the Ontario Cup Finals, which will take place tomorrow, Sunday, July 29.
Here is an account of today’s Semi-Final games:
Under 18 Girls Semi-Finals

Oakville Girls A met Oakville Girls B this morning in the Under 18 Girls Semi-Final at The Soccer Centre. As both teams battled hard for the advantage it was Donika Murray from Oakville A who scored the first goal in the 27th minute of the first half. Just before the first half came to an end, Donika Murray scored again to give Oakville A a 2-0 lead. The second half began with a tough battle between both teams, however it would be Oakville A who found the net again. Micah Vermeer (#18) scored in the 76th minute to make it a 3-0 game. With a final score of 3-0 for Oakville A , goalkeeper Tori Edgar posted a shut-out.

Vaughan Azzurri 94 met Newmarket United in the other Under 18 Girls Semi-Final this morning at The Soccer Centre. Both teams came out energized and ready to play, but it was Vaughan Azzurri’s #12 Emily Scott with the first goal of the game in the 15th minute. Newmarket used this goal against to their advantage by coming back and scoring right away, #2 Shannon Russell with the goal. With both teams tied 1-1 the pressure was on for the next goal, it would be Vaughan’s #15 Tomika McIntosh in the 48th minute of the game. Newmarket’s #9 Karnia Van Andel fires back in the 79th minute with a goal to make the game a 2-2 tie. After a well fought 90 minute battle, this game was going to penalty kicks to determine a winner. Vaughan Azzurri came out on top with a winning penalty shot to make the final score 3-2. Vaughan Azzurri will play in the Finals on Sunday at The Soccer Centre. Congratulations to the Boston Pizza Player of the Game for Newmarket Brooke Blogg and Vaughan Taylor Grant!

Vaughan Azzurri Strikers will take on the Oakville Girls A in the Final on Sunday at 10:00 am at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan.

Under 18 Boys Semi-Finals

In the first Under 18 Boys Semi-Final, Mississauga Clarkson SC and Woodbridge Strikers clashed in an intense back and forth affair. Despite a first half dominated by Clarkson, the game was a 0-0 stalemate at half time. Woodbridge came out flying in the second half, and was rewarded early with a goal by #18 Tommy Sitaridis in the 52^nd minute. It looked as if the game would end that way when out of nowhere Jerome Smith put the ball in the back of the net for Clarkson in the 89^th minute, sending the game to penalties. In the end, Mississauga Clarkson SC edged Woodbridge Strikers 5-4 on kicks from the penalty mark. The Boston Pizza player of the game for Clarkson went to the last minute hero Jerome Smith. Joseph Cicchillo took the award for Woodbridge.

In the second Under 18 Boys Semi-Final, Kleinburg Nobleton Lions Blue took on Oshawa Turul 1994 Boys in a match filled with first half action. Kleinburg caught an early break with a penalty called for a hand ball, which was converted by #8 Niklas Bauer. Kleinburg kept the pressure on and Bauer found the back of the net minutes later, giving his squad a 2-0 lead. Towards the end of the first half, Bauer went for the kill as he got past three Oshawa defenders and the goalkeeper for the hat trick. Up 3-0 going in to the second half, Kleinburg played a defensive game and secured the 3-0 victory. The Boston Pizza player of the game for Kleinburg was, not surprisingly, #8 Niklas Bauer. After keeping defenders on their toes all game with constant pressure, #15 Andrew Johnston took player of the game honours for Oshawa.

Kleinburg Nobleton Lions Blue will face off against Mississauga Clarkson SC in the Final on Sunday at 12:30 pm at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan.

Under 21 Women’s Semi-Finals
In the first Semi-Final of the Under 21 Women’s division, Markham Lightning matched up against the Hamilton Saltfleet Strikers. A scoreless first half sent both teams onto the field in the second half hungry for a goal. Despite efforts from both teams, it was Saltfleet’s Julia Shugg that capitalized with a goal in the 59th minute of the game to give her team the lead. Markham was unable to equalize and Shugg’s goal would end up being the game winner. Jenna Vasiliaskas of Saltfleet was given the Boston Pizza Player of the Game recognition for brilliant saves and recording the shut-out. Meghan Reynolds of Markham was recognized for her efforts receiving the Boston Pizza Player of the Game award for her team.

The other Semi-Final of the Under 21 Women’s division, featured two Peel Halton teams, Burlington Bayhawks and Erin Mills Eagles. In this game, Burlington struck early in the first half when the ball was taken up the wing, crossed in front of the goal and then blasted into the net when Madelaine Greip got a foot on it during a scramble. Erin Mills was not able to find the back of the Burlington net, giving Burlington’s Keeper, Shannon Junor the clean sheet. Madelaine Griep was given the Boston Pizza Player of the Game recognition for netting the game winner, while Erin Mills’ Kristy Mlakar was recognized on her team.
The Saltfleet Strikers take on the Burlington Bayhawks in the Final on Sunday at 3:00 pm at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan.

Under 21 Men’s Semi-Finals
The Men’s Under 21 Semi-Final kicked off this afternoon at The Soccer Centre where the Ajax Admirals met Sigma FC in an action packed match. The only goal of the first half was had by #27 Nicholas Orton of the Ajax Admirals. After the goal, Sigma put the pressure on Ajax and produced some good chances. Each team continued to share the goal scoring opportunities throughout the first half. In the 66th minute of the second half, Sigma player #14 Jordan Stoddart evened the score to 1-1. Both teams fought for chances for the remainder of regulation time. The game proceeded straight to kicks from the penalty mark to determine the winner. In the end, Sigma walked away with the win and a place in the Finals on Sunday. Boston Pizza Player of the Game recognition went to Nicolas Orton of Ajax and Greg Ranjitsingh of Sigma FC.

In the second Under 21 Men’s Semi-Final, Dixie Athletics BU21 faced KNSC Lions Red in a very intense game. KNSC got off to a red hot start with four goals in the first 20 minutes. Daniel Braga (#7) led the charge with three goals in the 4th, 8th, and 20th minute. Gaetano Tropea (#17) chipped in as well with a goal in the 15th minute. Dixie bounced back with goals in the 22th minute by #2 Jordan Wilson and in the 27th minute by Moe Babouli. In the second half, Dixie had chances to close the gap but couldn’t finish their opportunities. KNSC’s Tropea put the game away in the 90^th minute with his second goal, for a final score of 5-2.

Sigma FC will face off against KNSC Lions Red in the Final on Sunday at 5:30 pm at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan.

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