London Ontario Soccer News

Getting Boot Miffs Soccer Groups

2006-04-01T14:44:00.000-05:00

Saturday, April 1, 2006
Getting Boot Miffs Soccer Groups
By Morris Dalla Costa
Free Press Sports Columnist

The soccer people in London are feeling a little kicked around.

Come the middle of July, during the busiest time of their schedule, the London and District Youth Soccer League will have to reschedule about 180 games when as many as 10 of its soccer pitches will be taken over by the 2006 world field lacrosse championship.

Included in the loss of fields for a 10-day period from July 13 to 22 is the North London Soccer Complex.

"That's a lot of games to reschedule," LDYSL director Tom Partalas said. "And the city has done it without a lot of communication. There were two of us at a soccer field task force meeting in October when we were told.

"These are soccer fields. They should be used as soccer fields. What are they going to use them for next?"

The LDYSL has had to scramble to reschedule the games. It has been forced to go to private fields like the German-Canadian Club and make teams travel all over the city.

There are many other soccer organizations and clubs using those fields. The LDYSL has just finished its registration at the competitive level. Even though it has dropped the under-19 age group, its team registrations for LDYSL alone went from 302 to 325 teams. That's almost 6,000 players. Registration will likely exceed 20,000 players in London and the immediate area.

But it's not just the inconvenience or the added cost of not being able to use the fields that's frosting soccer people. It's the continued perception soccer gets second-class treatment. That, even though the number of people playing the sport far exceeds participation in any other sport in the city.

"When we worked with the city to build and improve these fields, we didn't ask them for anything free," Partalas said. "We're paying extra to repay the money put into the fields."

The hope is there will be enough money left from a legacy fund from the world field lacrosse championship to build a field lacrosse complex on a property just north of the North London Soccer Complex.

Partalas is concerned and he has every right to be. The North London complex is a terrific facility for the game and the city looks after it with great care. They don't allow any teams to play on it until after the first weekend in May. Early-bird soccer tournaments with 100 teams or more opt to go to Tillsonburg and other communities who have better soccer facilities.

The city is also cautious during the season about the use of the complex. If field conditions are sloppy, games are usually cancelled.

"What if the weather isn't good?" Partalas asked. "This is a world championship. They are going to play on it no matter what kind of weather. What kind of condition is the field going to be in when it's all done? We'll be left playing on dirt. You can't just toss a few seeds on the field and say we'll be ready to play tomorrow."

Tim Hobbs, chair of the lacrosse event, is sympathetic.

"But at least they have fields," he said. "We don't have one dedicated lacrosse field in this city."

And he says the city isn't about to cut him a break.

"The city has put about $10,000 into this event, but they want to charge me $63,000 for field rental. I'm embarrassed to say the federal government, who declared lacrosse a national sport, has not given us one penny.

"Thank God for the provincial government, who came up with $142,000."

Kent McVittie, manager of recreational services and attractions, wants to minimize the inconvenience to soccer organizations.

"We'll be getting a more accurate account of the number of teams which will be here and the number of fields they will need."

The championship will feature 22 teams from around the world with Canada's division playing at TD Waterhouse Stadium. The tournament also features a lacrosse festival. So far, 39 men's teams and 24 youth teams have registered and they are guaranteed five games each. That's a lot of games.

The world lacrosse championship will put London under a medium-wattage spotlight on the world stage. But that spotlight has also illuminated a problem soccer people have known about for a while.

Even with recent improvements, there's still not enough fields to make anyone happy.

CPSL plays to ethnic groups

2006-02-24T14:55:00.000-05:00

Friday, February 24, 2006
CPSL plays to ethnic groups
By LANCE HORNBY -- Toronto Sun

The Canadian Professional Soccer League is counting on a link between rabid flag waving and rapid turnstile traffic.

A new era for the 12-team league began here yesterday with the expansion birth of the Serbian White Eagles to the CPSL, joining the Italia Shooters, Toronto Supra (Portuguese) and Toronto Croatia. Only the latter had kept its ethnic link the past few years.

"We used to be very basic, East and West divisions with just team names," new commissioner Cary Kaplan said. "That works in Hamilton, London and Windsor. But in Toronto, you don't wave a York flag or a Vaughan flag when there's 350,000 Portuguese, 450,000 Italians and a large Chinese and Korean population.

"Traditionally, you were encouraged to hide that and be a team such as the Toronto Blizzard. But why couldn't we have a 20-team international division, based right in Toronto? In 10 years, I don't see why we can't be a micro version of the CFL."

The White Eagles, last seen in these parts 30 years ago playing to big crowds at the CNE, are being resurrected in a big way, bringing back legendary Dragoslav Sekularac (Seki) as coach and bolstering their initial roster with five imports.

"We needed a world-famous player and a world famous coach and Seki is both," Eagles president Mike Bakich said. "We're looking at around 250,000 Serbs in Ontario and we know we can get the people out if we give them a good product.

"Unfortunately, Canada is not a soccer country, though it should be with our melting pot of countries where it is the No. 1 sport. We're hoping when they build the new stadium next year (a 20,000-seat facility at Exhibition Place ), soccer will be where it was. We used to have 12,000 to 17,000 out to Eagles games."

Caplan hopes Serbia is the first of an ambitious CPSL expansion program. The Durham team has dropped out, Hamilton is coming back with a new identity and other GTA teams include the North York Astros, Oakville Blue Devils and Brampton Stallions.

"The CPSL has been under the radar for a long time," Caplan said. "The international concept in Toronto is perfect. We think that it will attract additional fans and rivalries."

He pointed to the Eagles' glitzy launch as the kind of splash the CPSL needs.

"You have to move the bar up, create a team like this which pushes a team at the bottom," Kaplan said. "Other teams will look at Serbia and say, 'We're not going on the field to lose to them 6-0.'

"We have to get off page 12 of the sports section where all you see are our standings. We have to create publicity."

WOMEN’S SOCCER ANNOUNCES TALENTED RECRUITING CLASS

2006-02-22T14:58:00.000-05:00

For Immediate Release
February 22, 2006

WOMEN’S SOCCER ANNOUNCES TALENTED RECRUITING CLASS

WILMINGTON, N.C. – UNC Wilmington head women’s soccer coach Paul Cairney has announced the signing of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2006-07 season.

Two forwards, Jenna Evans (Wilmington, N.C./Hoggard) and Erica Rodgers (Wallingford, Pa./Strath Haven), a pair of Canadian midfielders, Daniela D’Oria (London, Ontario/Catholic Central) and Shannon Robertson (Kitchener, Ontario/St. Mary’s), two defenders, Meghan Sayre (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes) and Heather Froehlich (Charlotte, N.C./North Mecklenburg), and goalkeeper Jamie Balzarini (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem North) highlight a well-rounded class.

“Our main goal for this recruiting class was to add depth and strength at each position,” said Cairney. “I am very excited about our new players, and I know that they will complement a very strong core group we have returning.”

Evans was named the Star-News Co-Player-of-the-Year in 2005, while earning All-State honors from the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association. She was also named First-Team All-Region in 2004.

“Jenna is an outstanding athlete who has the ability to play several positions,” said Cairney. “Her speed and tenacity make her a force on the field. She has the potential to be an impact player for us immediately.”

Rodgers garnered Daily Times Player-of-the-Year honors in 2005 and was named First-Team All-Delco in 2004 and 2005. A member of Pennsylvania’s Olympic Development Program from 2001-2005, she also played on the FC Bucks Club team, which won the Pennsylvania State Championship in 2003 and 2004.

“Erica has excellent speed, both on and off the ball, and has the ability to score at the next level,” said Cairney.

D’Oria received Athlete-of-the Year honors at Catholic Central in 2004, and also was a member of the Ontario Provincial team.

“Daniela is a highly technical player and is excellent in one-on-one situations,” said Cairney. “She also has the ability to finish on set-pieces. She will complement our attack through the middle.”

Also a member of the Ontario Provincial team, Robertson attended the National Training Center in 2005.

“Shannon possesses the speed and athleticism to be a factor at this level,” added Cairney. “She is both technically and tactically quick, and I see her being able to play several positions in 2006.”

Sayre played with Beach FC, the 2003 and 2004 Virginia State Champions. In 2003, she participated with the Region I ODP and Adidas ESP/National Camp.

“Meghan is an athletic defensive player,” said Cairney. “She reads the game well and will look to play a role for us at the back.”

Froehlich earned All-State honors from the NCSCA in 2004 and 2005, and captured All-Conference accolades. She also played with the North Carolina ODP team from 2002-05.

“Heather is a great defender,” said Cairney. “She is calm and composed under pressure. She strikes the ball very well over distance and will look to push for a spot in the back next season.”

Balzarini played with the Empire State Team in 2004 and 2005, while serving as captain during her final season. She earned All-County honors in 2004 and 2005 and was a Super Y League member with the Long Island Raiders.

“Jamie is a strong ‘keeper,” said Cairney. “She has excellent technique and is very aggressive coming off her line. She will compete for our starting spot as a freshman.”

The Seahawks open up their season with a home scrimmage against Duke on Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. and begin their regular season at Appalachian State on Aug. 25.

CPSL TEAMS SHOW THE STABILITY PRO SOCCER NEEDS

2006-02-12T15:02:00.000-05:00

CPSL TEAMS SHOW THE STABILITY PRO SOCCER NEEDS
Sunday - February 12, 2006

Professional soccer in North America is starting to see signs of stability, a necessary ingredient as the game increases in popularity with the public, the business world and the media.

Long gone are the Toronto Blizzard, the New York Cosmos, the Toronto Metros, Toronto Italia, Hamilton Steelers and numerous other exciting teams that attracted large crowds for many years when high level soccer found itself in a golden era during the second half of the last century.

Still playing today, Vancouver Whitecaps of the USL’s First Division is one example of a high profile team that stayed around. Others are CPSL teams Toronto Croatia which launched in 1956 and London City. Toronto Croatia are celebrating longevity with a May pre-season visit to Zagreb and Split in Croatia, while on February 14 London City celebrates 33 uninterrupted years in the tough, pro Second Division, to continue a love affair with Southern Ontario fans that goes back to St.Valentine’s Day, 1973.

Despite the rough and tumble of the competition, London has also played a strong role in player development, a mandate initiated by their founder, Max (Markus) Gauss who was honoured for this and other work in soccer as the first person from the sport to be inducted into the London Sports Hall of Fame.

The induction came last year, the year grandson Ryan Gauss launched a high level women’s team, soon to realize what a cruel game soccer can be after recording an impeccable 10 wins out of 10 games played in the Women’s Canada Cup, his team failed to win the trophy in the final many believed was a snap.

London City GM Harry Gauss, son of Hall of Famer Max, is best known in recent times for sending several players to Europe – a good example of Canadian player development paying off. His team has won the CPSL-sponsored Open Canada Cup and was a finalist last year, but he has yet to hit the bull’s eye with the CPSL overall Championship.

“It’s hard to go for the big win and at the same time give so many young talented players the chance they deserve,” he reasons. But as the club starts year 34 with an upcoming kickoff in May and the first home game in the regular schedule on June 2, that’s precisely what Harry Gauss is aiming to do.

But the first celebration on February 14 follows the announcement of the 2005 MVP, Rookie of the Year and the Most Dedicated Player.

It’s dedication that’s kept one of Canada’s best known teams going for such a long time.

UNDER 13 AND 16 ONTARIO INDOOR CUP FINALS THIS WEEKEND

2006-02-01T15:03:00.000-05:00

February 1, 2006
UNDER 13 AND 16 ONTARIO INDOOR CUP FINALS THIS WEEKEND

The 2006 Ontario Indoor Cup competition resumes this weekend at The Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan with the Final Round of the Under 13 Boys and Girls Divisions and the Under 16 Boys and Girls Divisions. This weekend's competition will feature teams from cities all across the province including Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Ottawa, London, Niagara Falls as well as the greater Toronto area.

The Under 13 and Under 16 Boys and Girls will play a Round Robin Tournament on Saturday, February 4th with the top teams in the Tournament advancing to the Semi-Finals and Finals on Sunday, February 5th to determine the Provincial Indoor Soccer Champions. Games on Saturday kick-off at 10:00 a.m. and run to 11:20 p.m. On Sunday, the Under 13 Boys and Under 13 Girls Semi-Finals begin at 10:00 a.m. with the Boys Final game at 12:00 p.m. and the Girls final at 1:00 p.m. The Under 16 Boys Semi-Finals begin at 12:00 p.m. with the Finals at 3:00 p.m. The Under 16 Girls Semi-Finals begin at 11:00 a.m. with the Finals at 2:00 p.m.

2005 Ontario Indoor Cup Champions

Under 13 Boys - NORTH YORK SPARTACUS
Under 13 Girls - AJAX STORM
Under 14 Boys - NORTH SCARBOROUGH STRIKERS
Under 14 Girls - OAKVILLE PHANTOMS
Under 15 Boys - GLEN SHIELDS SUN DEVILS A
Under 15 Girls - VAUGHAN AZZURRI
Under 16 Boys - MISSISSAUGA DIXIE 89'ers
Under 16 Girls - BURLINGTON FLASH
Under 17 Boys - ETOBICOKE ENERGY
Under 17 Girls - MISSISSAUGA FALCONS
Under 18 Boys - NORTH YORK HEARTS AZZURRI
Under 18 Girls - MISSISSAUGA ERIN MILLS EAGLES

W-League Showcases the Maple Leaf

2005-12-22T15:07:00.000-05:00

W-League Showcases the Maple Leaf
Written by Bill Ault
Wednesday, 21 December 2005

Canadian soccer fans might be forgiven if they are beginning to think that the “W” in W-League should be replaced by a “C” to reflect the Canadian content. With established franchises in Vancouver, Sudbury, Toronto and Ottawa and the addition of teams in London, Hamilton and Laval seven of 37 franchises in the league are now based in Canada and the influence of Canadian teams and players has never been stronger.

This especially the case in the where the defending Eastern Conference Champion and League Finalists Ottawa Fury will face their arch rivals in Toronto as well as the Hamilton Avalanche, the Laval Comets, and Sudbury Canadians in addition to their revamped American cousins the Rochester Ravens and the Vermont Lady Voltage.

This leaves the Vancouver Whitecaps and London Gryphons flying the Maple Leaf solo in the Western Conference and Midwest Divisions respectively.

The Whitecaps will face nemesis Seattle in addition to the Fort Collins Force, Mile High Edge, Real Colorado Cougars, and the San Diego Gauchos while London are playing an exhibition schedule in 2005 will play the Chicago Gaels, Cincinnati Ladyhawks, Cleveland Internationals, Fort Wayne Fever, Michigan Hawks, Minnesota, and the West Michigan Firewomen.

The Canadian influence stretches beyond just the teams to the players themselves with a number of Canadian suiting up for American franchises including national team members Karina Leblanc and Christine Latham who suited up for the league champion New Jersey Wildcats in 2005, Melissa Tancredi in Atlanta and Charmaine Hooper in Chicago.

Additionally the league has obviously helped in the development of younger national team level players as well with 13 of 20 players invited last week to head coach Ian Bridge’s national team camp having playing experience in the W-League.

Ten of the 13 played in the W-League last season with five representing two of the four semifinalists. Goalkeeper Erin McNulty and midfielder Veronique Miranda are from the finalist Ottawa Fury while Jodi-Ann Robinson, Sophie Schmidt and Emily Zurrer played for the third-place Vancouver Whitecaps.

Amanda Cicchini and Robin Rushton played for the expansion Toronto Lady Lynx, who reached the Eastern Conference final. Stephanie Labbe and Katie Radchuck played for the Western Mass Lady Pioneers last season while Caroline Vanderpool was a member of the first-year Vermont Lady Voltage.

In total 67 games in the 2006 W-League schedule will feature a Canadian team and 20 of those will be a battle between two Canadian franchises.

London City Lady Selects Announce Star Signing

2005-12-21T15:09:00.000-05:00

December 21, 2005
London City Lady Selects announce star signing
By Morris Dalla Costa
Free Press Sports Columnist

Santa has been kind to London City Lady Selects, leaving them quite the Christmas present under the tree.

The Selects of the Canadian Professional Soccer League women's division announced the signing of Natalie D'Oria yesterday.

D'Oria played virtually every minute last season for the rival W-League London Gryphons.

D'Oria, 18, was on the field for 882 of the 900 minutes played by the Gryphons in the United Soccer League's U.S.-based W-League. She also attended Florida Atlantic University on a scholarship and was named to the second team all-Atlantic Sun Conference and to the Atlantic Sun all-Freshman Team.

Before leaving for Florida Atlantic, she won a number of Thames Valley Region high school awards.

She is a provincial team player and a likely candidate for national team camps.

"We consider Natalie D'Oria a real find in our building process," said Ryan Gauss, general manager of the Selects. "She is a star player."

D'Oria's addition will make a strong team stronger. London City lost only one game in the division's inaugural season, dominating most opponents. But the loss came in the championship game.

D'Oria said she was happy with the Gryphons, but wanted to play Canadian professional soccer in a league that didn't travel a great deal and would give her a chance to see how women's Canadian professional soccer was developing.

"I didn't really want to do all that travelling," she said. "My old team plays a lot of games in the States and I'm in the States eight months of the year. I didn't need to do that all year. You were gone four days out of the week, busing there and back. We'd leave Thursday and be getting back Sunday early in the morning and it would be really draining. Here, it will be nice to be playing locally.

"I knew going down (to Florida) that I wanted to play locally when I came back, because I'm only back three months of the year and I didn't want to be all over the place again.

"But soccer is soccer no matter where you play. This level is just as competitive as where I was playing. It was a difficult decision to make. I was very excited when I made it."

D'Oria also is looking forward to having the opportunity of playing with Eva Havaris, a top woman player in London who led the Selects. It was one of the deciding factors in her signing with London City.

"I know Eva," said D'Oria. "I like the idea I'll be playing with her again. She has so much soccer experience. I played with her before when I was younger and I just like the idea that I would be playing in the middle with her again. I learned a lot from her."

Gauss learned a great deal as the general manager of the team and as a result, he's strengthened the staff.

"It was a remarkable season, but I learned that you need to build and grow if you don't want to be left in the dust," he said.

Gauss has brought on Mike Herman as an assistant general manager. Last year, Herman was the head coach and manager of the under-21 women's Ontario Cup silver medallists with the London City Lady Vets.

Also joining the staff is Nick D'Oria, Natalie's father. He will be the head scout and management consultant. D'Oria is head coach of the Regina Mundi boys team and coached at various other levels, including as an assistant with Western's women's team.

Also joining London City Lady Selects is Laurie Workman, who is known for her work on the Henderson international soccer tournament. She'll become the director of public relations.

Whether the structure of the women's division in the CPSL will change remains to be seen. Stan Adamson of the CPSL was at the news conference and indicated there was a new atmosphere of co-operation between the Ontario Soccer Association and the CPSL about forming a women's league, rather than just a division.

"There was some resistance and hostility last year," Adamson said. "That hostility has dissipated."

But there's still no news as to whether the OSA will support the move to a woman's league.

Soccer Player 11 Spotlighted

2005-12-01T12:52:00.000-05:00

Thursday, December 1, 2005
By MORRIS DALLA COSTA
FREE PRESS SPORTS COLUMNIST

It has become the measure of greatness in young athletes.

You are called "Gretzky-like" and the heavy mantle of expectation is thrust on your shoulders.

Jim Bujouves has coached 11-year-old soccer player Chantale Campbell for three years.

"She has attributes which are Gretzky-like," he said. "I can only surmise from other coaches who have been on the soccer scene for 25, 30 years. At this age, she is the best female soccer player they've seen in 20, 25 years."

Bujouves has coached Chantale and her twin-sister Emilie for three years with the London City Flash.

They'll turn 12 in January. Chantale has been selected as one of the 25 members of the under-14 provincial soccer squad.

"For three years, she's played for teams that are two years ahead of her age (with London City)," said Bujouves. "But at the provincial level, it's unusual to allow an underage (one year younger) to be involved in the process. It's unheard of having a child two years younger make the provincial squad."

Dave Peak is the regional development coach for the Ontario Soccer Association under-13 boys' and girls' team. Peak handles practices for the provincial players in this area. Chantale practises with him twice a week.

"She is technically and mentally well beyond her age," said Peak. "You don't see that very often. She is at the level of someone who is much older."

Peak has been around a long time as a player and coach. Is she the best player he has seen?

"By far, by far," he said. "The best boy or girl at that age."

That's some heavy-duty praise considering the London area is producing many fine soccer players, especially in female soccer.

"It's a ton of pressure, so it has to be managed," said Bujouves. "That's what makes her unique. The parents have allowed Chantale to play at the level she is capable of playing. It has been her own initiative, not the initiative of her parents or others. There were many people who wanted to hold them back, but it was her desire to move down that path and she's handled it very well."

None of this seems to affect Chantale.

"I know I'm going to have bad days. But I feel great. It gives me a challenge and I get to meet other players. It helps me be a better player."

It's a highly competitive, physically demanding situation. Beside the two-a-week practices with Peak, Chantale is in Toronto every weekend for Saturday and Sunday practices with the provincial squad. That means a 4:30 a.m. wakeup one day and 6 a.m. the other.

"It doesn't bother me anymore," she said. "Before when I had to get up, I thought, 'I'm tired.' Now I'm used to it."

A number of factors make her a special package. She has played in an older group for a number of years and played a lot. She works hard at her game and the fact that her twin sister is a very good player as well has helped.

"She has great awareness of the game itself, a first touch with the ball that makes her so good," said Peak. "She finds space for herself and knows how to lose a marker (her defensive check). She is doing things that are years beyond her."

Those are intricacies of the game that often escape far older players.

"You've met people who have the intangibles. You can't explain what they have, but they have it," said Bujouves. "And she's a twin. I'm a twin and I know what a competitive environment will do for you."

Sister Emilie is no slouch as a player, either She has worked her way onto the regional under-13 squad, playing a year ahead of her age group.

"They're competitive about everything," said father Terry. "They go outside and play volleyball, but they play volleyball with their feet. It's bah, bah, bah this and bah, bah, bah, bah that. 'You're cheating.' 'No. I'm not.' It's hysterical. They always try to get the edge on each other."

And with "Gretzky-like" potential, it's not surprising Chantale has Gretzky-like ambitions.

"I want to make the national team and play for Team Canada," she said.

MAX GAUSS IN SPORTS HALL OF FAME

2005-11-11T13:07:00.000-05:00

MAX (MARKUS) GAUSS IN LONDON'S SPORTS HALL OF FAME
Friday - November 11, 2005

It was an emotional sporting moment before a gathering of family, friends, the media and representation from the Canadian Professional Soccer League on Thursday morning, when Max (Markus) Gauss, president of London City Soccer Club listened to an eloquent account of his contribution to Canada’s busiest sport since his arrival in Canada in 1958.
Born in a soccer environment at Filipovo in the former Yugoslavia on December 23, 1929, the son of German parents, and moving to Stuttgart in Germany where the passion for soccer can be even more intense, it’s not surprising the elder Gauss with wife Magdalena and sons Harry and Reinhart would pursue his favourite sport on arrival in London, Ontario following a brief stay in Montreal and Winnipeg.
That was the beginning of a pursuit that after 47 years would reach a milestone at the John Labatt Centre in London when his plaque was unveiled to be the first soccer person to be inducted into the London Sports Hall of Fame. There were four other inductees, all celebrated by more than 400 at a recognition dinner in the evening put on by the London Sports Council.
His involvement with the German Canadian Club in that city played a big part in his soccer escapades of almost half a century, and his successful masonry construction business allowed Max Gauss to spend more than most can afford with firstly the German Canadians in the local amateur league, then the launch of London City in the professional National Soccer League, which today as a member of the CPSL is the longest running professional soccer team in North America. He was a founding member of the CPSL and one of only two to also be a founding member of the earlier Canadian National Soccer League.
“That guy loves the game,” player Ibrahim Hazdic told London Free Press columnist Morris Dalla Costa last month when the word got out the Godfather of London soccer, as the elder Gauss is known, was being inducted. He’s considered a supporter for all soccer in London, sees other teams in the region play, but he’s become best known for moving London into the tough professional soccer arena more than 30 years ago. Together, with son Harry as general manager, the team has been around since St. Valentine’s Day, 1973 and is one of the more prominent teams in this part of Canada.
While son Harry has been the one to look after the pro team, grandson Ryan has recently taken on the role of general manager of the London women’s team, London Selects.
To cap off the week's celebrations, Max Gauss's daughter Linda gave birth to a baby boy on November 9 to name him - yes, Markus.
Writer Christopher Clark asked Max Gauss a number of questions in a quiet moment recently and came up with this account:
Where do you go to think?On the patio in my back yard.
Have you ever stolen anything?Yes. Chickens for food during the Second World War.
What is your favourite restaurant?Irene's sea food restaurant, but I never order chicken.
How often do you eat out in a typical week?Once.
What is your biggest indulgence?Playing cards.What was your favourite birthday party as a child?We never celebrated our own birthdays. We celebrated the birthdays of our name sakes.
Whom would you choose to portray you in a movie?Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor).
Is there anything you won't eat?Yes. Spinach, lettuce or anything else that may be healthy.
What reality TV show would you like to be on?None of them; I can't stand them.
If you could know the outcome of one moment in your future, what would it be?That every country in the world can have the freedom that we have here in Canada.
What is your favourite website? http://www.kicker.de/
On what occasion do you lie?When I'm asked at what time I get home.
Which talent would you most like to have?To be a great soccer player.
What would you like to invent?A car that doesn't need gas to run.
When and where would you like to retire?I already have and I'm happy right here in London.
What charities do you support?Christian Children's Fund of Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
What is the most interesting thing you've learned recently?That I was old enough to retire.
How often each day do you check your e-mail?As often as I tell my children to do it.
What is your greatest accomplishment?Keeping my family together.
If you could be a Super Hero, which one would you choose to be?Opa. That's what my four-year-old granddaughter, Montana Kennes, tells me, along with my grandsons Paul, Sean and Ryan Gauss, so why would I want to be someone else? What more could I ask for?
Others inducted on November 10 were the late Frank Colman, baseball, who played for the New York Yankees, Fran Wigston Eberhard, volleyball and women’s athletics, and Bob Hayward with Jim Thompson, speedboat racing.

Vassallo's dream stays on course

2005-10-31T15:58:00.000-05:00

By Morris Dalla Costa
October 31, 2005

If there's a road that leads to success, no matter how obscure, rest assured it will be travelled by someone looking to fulfil a dream.

Anthony Vassallo is an 18-year-old Londoner who made headlines four years ago when he became the youngest player in the Canadian Professional Soccer League.

He was 14 and made his debut with London City.

You don't have to be a resident genius to know his goal in life is to become a professional soccer player. But for Canadians, that goal is as attainable as winning the lottery. It takes not only talent to get noticed but luck to get outside the limited confines of a nation with athletic priorities that are anything but soccer.

That's why determination and a willingness to take a road less travelled is a necessity to further a soccer career.

Vassallo is on that road. At 14 he was playing with London City. At 15 he was offered a tryout with Birkirkara, a professional team in Malta. At 16, he returned to Malta to sign an amateur contract with Birkirkara's youth and reserve side.

His grandparents live on Gozo, a small island just off Malta. He lived with them for a year but having to take a boat on a daily basis to train was difficult. He moved to Birkirkara, the biggest city in Malta. He lived with another young player but he has since moved to play elsewhere. Now Vassallo lives with a group of Canadian students.

The unknown can prove a great adventure, but letting a 16-year-old go to live in another country can be excruciating.

"The day we took him to the airport was very hard," said his father Cam. "I didn't want to send him but he wanted to go. To get a chance to play you have to do it."

It's been a steady progression for the attacking midfielder. In June, Vassallo made his debut with the Maltese under-18 team. In September, he was with the under-20s.

Yesterday he left for Israel to play in the under-19 European Cup qualifiers.

Win or lose, this is the type of competition young soccer players find rarely if they remain in Canada.

"It will be a good chance to play at a high calibre and be noticed," said Vassallo from Malta.

Vassallo plays for Birkirkara's youth side. He says Birkirkara's main team doesn't use many young players preferring like many wealthy big league sides to purchase older players to be successful. But he's hoping the exposure will bring him other opportunities.

There is a tendency to discount the value of playing in a small country like Malta. Located in the Mediterranean Sea, it is the smallest European Union nation in population and area. But it has an extensive professional soccer system which has developed players for other professional leagues. Malta has played the Canadian national team twice and won both meetings.

Vassallo's Maltese adventure has so far provided everything he's needed. He goes to school at the equivalent of a junior college and is absorbed in the world of soccer.

"They are a lot more serious about football here than in Canada," said Vassallo. "People talk soccer all the time. They follow the English and Italian leagues. It's a good atmosphere. They play a very defensive game to get results but Maltese teams play in all the major competitions."

Vassallo has the enthusiasm and the bravery of youth on his side. Leaving friends and family behind to live in a small country is a small price to pay to eventually make his dream of playing professional soccer a reality.

And whatever success Vassallo has will offer hope to others looking to do the same thing.

"Of course, I want to play somewhere else," he said. "Many players in Malta are a little old fashioned. They want to stay here and play here and not take any risks. I want to move on, take some risks. I want to play in a higher professional league."

No matter where that road less travelled leads.

London Rivals Will Not Face Off

2005-06-10T17:34:00.000-04:00

Gryphons, City tie won't fly
By JIM KERNAGHAN -- London Free Press
June 10, 2005

In boxing, they call a bout that is never going to happen a Sunday Fight.

While the new elite women's soccer teams aren't exactly fighting, there's enough animosity to fuel a terrific matchup between the London Gryphons and London City.

But it won't happen, despite City general manager Ryan Gauss considering a challenge to the Gryphons for a charity game. With an allusion to boxing, you could call it Socks in the City.

"We'd love to do it -- at their field or at the Cove -- and put on a real show for the fans of London and show them the best of women's soccer," Gauss said.

Such a showdown is comparable to the regular speculation over a London Knights-Western Mustangs charity hockey game. There are insurance concerns along with unlikely OHL approval.

"We're not permitted," Gryphons' Ed Lauterbach said. "We got releases from players' teams in the NCAA (U.S. college system) and our agreement does not allow games outside the W-League.

"Those schools have a major investment in their players so you can understand their concerns."

City opens Monday at Cove Road field in what the Canadian Professional Soccer League-associated group terms a summer-long tournament. They'll play Windsor Border Stars in an 8:30 p.m. game.

Meantime, the Gryphons were to hit the road this morning for a 1,500-kilometre return trip with stops at Holland, Mich., for a game against the West Michigan Firewomen tonight, and at Cincinnati against the Ladyhawks tomorrow night.

But don't expect the London teams to make the short hop to play at either Cove Road or the Gryphons' field, North London Stadium. Judging by what is known of the teams and their personnel, it would be an interesting game.

The Gryphons have had a powerful start in the W-League's Midwest Division, which has entries in Chicago, Cleveland, Fort Wayne and Detroit, as well as Holland and Cincinnati. They have three wins and a draw in four starts.

Coach Aaron Lauterbach gives a verbal rundown of a roster that includes Kent State all-American striker Kimberly Dimitroff of Oakville and touches on 17-year-old surprise Devon Romak from London's Lucas. "We were going to sign (Romak) to London United but she played her way on and has been on the field every minute of every game as midfield anchor."

Ed Lauterbach likens his team to the London Knights.

"We've got good chemistry and good players," he said. "Good players alone isn't enough. They do everything for the good of the team; they're a lot like the Knights."

They're still a long way from the Knights' record 31-game undefeated streak, but their start is promising.

The City women are an unknown quantity beyond a roster led by captain Eva Havaris that boasts some excellent elite players. Monday's game will be their first toe in the water in meaningful play.

It is not without some effort the CPSL's women's division is getting underway. The Ontario Soccer Association threw up some roadblocks initially, questioning whether there was an adequate number of elite players to stock six teams.

Besides City, other teams are Toronto Supra, North York Astros, Durham Storm, Border Stars and Vaughan Shooters. As the Gryphons did last year, they'll play the tournament format then open with a league schedule next year.

Like Lauterbach, Gauss touches on the commitment his players have shown.

"We have a remarkable commitment, attitude and skill level," he said. "I think we're going to be very competitive."

Crossing The Pond

2005-06-10T17:24:00.000-04:00

A number of young players from London and surrounding area hope to hone their skills in the coming year with European teams.
By KATHY RUMLESKI -- London Free Press
June 10, 2005

European soccer fields are full of international players. London has been represented there in the past and this year some new local players are lacing up.

Fabian Knezevic Jr. has been with Croatian Premier Soccer League's Kamen Ingrad junior team since early May. The former Canadian national development team goalkeeper got the call from Croatia this spring after trying out last year.

Kamen Ingrad, which plays in a new 10,000-seat stadium in Velika, finished seventh out of 12 teams last season.

Knezevic, 17, who was attending St. Thomas Aquinas when he was invited, made great progress under London's Luka Shaqiri when he was younger, his father says.

Two years ago, Knezevic told The Free Press his goal was to play professionally in Europe. There are not many who actually realize that dream, however.

The elder Knezevic is extremely proud of his son.

"We're more than glad to see him there. I have to give credit to my wife (Mary-Ann). She took him to practice all the time."

That included trips to Toronto at 5 a.m. in the middle of winter and games throughout Ontario and the United States.

Knezevik trains with Kamen Ingrad twice a day as the team gets set to start play in July. The junior squad travels with the men's team and plays its own matches.

"He has a really excellent chance to be called up," said Fabian's father, who at 60 still plays soccer in the Middlesex Masters league.

The elder Knezevic says his son's skills have been honed while he works with Ingrad's goalkeeper coach.

Another Londoner heading to a soccer-crazy country shortly is Michael Pereira.

The 16-year-old phenom, who plays with Canada's under-17 team, has signed a contract with 2004 Portuguese champion FC Porto's development team. He leaves for Portugal at the end of July for "a new life."

Pereira was courted by some big-time soccer clubs, including Newcastle and Sporting, and chose Porto because he has relatives nearby.

The player, who speaks Portuguese, also liked the package the team offered. That includes $700 a month as well as expenses, and enrolment in a private international school.

Porto has made a two-year commitment to the centre midfielder -- who also plays for the provincial squad and Martin Painter's London Dynamite -- with an opportunity to renew for two more years.

"When they asked me to stay, I was just in shock," said Pereira, who scored two goals for Canada last month in a 5-0 victory over Haiti.

"I'm starting a new life. I'm nervous . . . scared a little bit.

"I'm leaving behind an amazing life," the Grade 10 CCH student said. "At the beginning, I thought a lot about that. But now I've made up my mind and I'm going over there with the intention of staying for good."

Pereira travelled to Portugal with his family in March. He said Porto officials were impressed with his physical makeup and condition.

Three members of Western Ontario Soccer League's White Eagles will head to Poland this summer for soccer action.

Matt Baca, 21, of St. Thomas will try out next month for Legia Warszawa in the Polish First Division.

The White Eagles 'keeper spent last October and November, playing in intrasquad games and practising with Legia Warszawa, which won the Polish championship and League Cup in 2002.

Baca picked up some pointers and was told what to work on for his next tryout.

"When I went the first time, it was more of a learning experience for me," he said. "Now I've worked on what I need to improve. This time I think my chances are a lot better than last time."

Baca said he also lost some weight over the winter, which has improved his speed and agility.

"I'm a lot quicker than when I was there the first time. I feel more set."

Baca's White Eagles teammate Mark Drapala, 18, is heading to Poland to train with two teams with the hope of catching on.

He'll be paying a visit to First Division team Togr Szczecin and Third Division club Energetyk Gryfino.

Finally, in August, Adrian Majcher, 18, will join an Ontario squad getting set to play in the World Cup of Poland, which attracts Polish teams from around the world.

Three Ontario Grads Join Canisius

2005-06-02T16:27:00.000-04:00

Women’s Soccer Announces 2005 Recruiting Class
Three Canadians will join the Golden Grffin squad in 2005-06.
June 2, 2005

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Canisius College women’s soccer head coach Meagan Dougherty has announced that Danielle Bernier (Oakville, Ont.), Nikki Gabrielli (London, Ont.) and Rebecca Shupe (Niagara Falls, Ont.) have signed National Letters of Intent to attend Canisius and play for the Golden Griffins in the fall.

Bernier, a graduate of St. Ignatius of Loyola, was a four-time letterwinner with the Hawks and served as team co-captain her senior season. A two-time Athlete of the Year, Bernier was also honored with the Sportsmanship Award and made the Honor Roll for Academics and Athletics from 2002-2005. As a member of the Oakville Cobras, Bernier won three outdoor Ontario Cups, one indoor Ontario Cup and finished second in the Ontario Youth Soccer League (OYSL). She also was a member of the Ontario Provincial Under-14 and Under-15 teams. Bernier also played basketball and hockey at St. Ignatius of Loyola, earning MVP honors in both sports.

“Dani is a physically powerful and nasty defender,” Dougherty said. “She is tough and, has great technical ability and tactical understanding of the game. She is not afraid to be vocal and demanding of her teammates. We look for her to play centrally in the back, and to be the leader and anchor of our defense.”

A graduate of Catholic Central, Gabrielli played five seasons as a sweeper for the Crusaders, serving as captain in 2004 and 2005. Gabrielli was named the team’s MVP in 2004 after leading the Crusaders to City Championships in 2003 and 2004 and finishing as 2004 Silver Medalists in the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA). Gabrielli also lettered in cross country and wrestling at Catholic Central, earning MVP honors in cross country and several city and regional honors in wrestling. She was also the Senior Athlete of the Year in 2004, a SPECTRA nominee for athletic and academic excellence and on the Honor Roll all five years.

“Nikki is athletic, hard working and a very versatile player,” Dougherty said. “She can play the left side or right and she can play both on defense and in the midfield. She is exceptionally strong in the air and does a great job of distributing the ball. We look for her to solidify our defense and to play-make and create scoring chances for us in the midfield.”

Shupe played three seasons at defense for A.N. Myer. As a member of the Marauders, Shupe won a Zone Championship in 2002 and served as team captain. Shupe also lettered in basketball and volleyball, earning MVP honors in hoops and winning another Zone Championship in volleyball.

“Becca is a very strong all-around player,” Dougherty stated. “She can play in the back or the midfield, and can play on the width or in the center of the field. She is a hard tackler who will win balls for us on defense and offensively she can score goals. We will look for her to create chances by getting our strikers the ball and to be a scoring threat herself on set-plays and free kicks.”

Canisius returns 18 letterwinners and nine starters from the 2004 squad that finished 2-14-0 and placed ninth in the MAAC Soccer League. Dougherty returns for her fifth season as head coach of the Golden Griffins.

Gryphons Complete Undefeated Weekend

2005-05-30T09:24:00.000-04:00

May 30, 2005

The London Gryphons W-League squad came home from a weekend road trip with a win and a tie from two matches.

The Gryphons tied Chicago 1-1 on Friday night and defeated Fort Wayne 3-1 on Saturday.

The Gryphons provided this report:

The London Gryphons of the USL W-League played Chicago on Friday night May 27 2005 in Chicago. Arrived at the field and had a shortened warm-up but came out blazing. Chicago scored first but we quickly responded. Gryphons end up dominating the game but could not finish any other opportunities. Chicago’s strong and tall defensive line on a small pitch which we couldn't penetrate as the game went on. The game went 110 minutes with O/T and finished in a 1-1 tie.

Saturday in FT Wayne at Hefner Stadium we started very poor as the O/T game the night before took it toll the game at half was to be 0-0. Then in the second half the Gryphons turn it on to dominate and finish with a 3-1 result which included a fantastic Robyn Brady volley for the third goal and two stunners by Kim Dimitroff. The Gryphons end their 3rd season game with no losses and sit in second place behind Detroit which has played one more game.

LONDON CITY WIN OPENER

2005-05-22T09:26:00.000-04:00

LONDON CITY WIN OPENER
London City prevented what would have been a perfect first night at Windsor Stadium on Saturday, handing Border Stars a 1-0 defeat in front of a large crowd in ideal conditions for the opening game of the Canadian Professional Soccer League season.

It was the opening game in the 33rd season in professional soccer for London since the teams launch in February of 1973.

By contrast, this was the opening game of season number two for Border Stars following their inaugural 2004 kickoff, a successful debut by winning the Open Canada Cup and a third-place finish (tied for second) in the CPSL'S Western Conference.

London defender Marco Peeters struck the lone goal, a well-placed header past Border Stars' goalkeeper Anthony Santilli off a corner kick from midfielder Gentjan Dervishi. The goal came at the 60th minute mark of an end-to-end game in which both teams had sufficient scoring opportunities to win.

Haider Al Shaibani gained a shutout in the London goal.

Woman's Pyramid of Play

2005-05-05T16:10:00.000-04:00

The Ontario Soccer Association To Conduct
"Women's Pyramid For Play" Meeting

May 5, 2005
The Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) will be holding a "Women's Pyramid For Play Meeting" at the Holiday Inn at the Toronto Airport on Saturday afternoon, April 2. The primary purpose of the meeting it to review the top of the "Women's Pyramid For Play" in Ontario. Attending the meeting will be representatives of the OSA's League Management Committee, the Ontario Women's Soccer League, Canadian Professional Soccer League, Ottawa Fury Soccer Club, Toronto Lynx Soccer Club, Sudbury Canadians Soccer Club and London Gryphons Soccer Club. The four soccer clubs are members of the United Soccer League's W-League.

This is the first of what is intended to be a series of meetings to assess the current "Women's Pyramid For Play" structure and to discuss possible changes to the Pyramid For Play to benefit female soccer players in the province. The current Pyramid recognizes the W-League at the top with the Ontario Women's Soccer League (OWSL) immediately below the W-League. The OWSL operates Provincial Divisions at the "open age'" and "Under-21" age classifications. It also operates Regional Divisions and Multi-Jurisdictional District Divisions - again at both the "open age" and "Under-21" age classifications. Its Regional Divisions serve the Central Region and South Region but in the past, teams from the West Region have also participated in the OWSL's Regional Divisions. Below the OWSL are four District Leagues: Ottawa-Carleton Soccer League, Toronto S.A. Women's District League, London & Area Women's Soccer League and the South Western Ontario Women's Soccer League. All other women's leagues in Ontario are Club League which operate for recreational teams only.

The Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL) has indicated interest in becoming part of the "Women's Pyramid For Play" by operating a Professional Women's Division which would be slotted above the W-League (which is an amateur league). The CPSL applied to the OSA in May 2004 for permission to operate a Professional Women's Division to commence in the 2005 season. However, the CPSL withdrew its application on November 5, 2004. In the latest discussions with the CPSL, the league has advised the OSA that it will be submitting an application to operate a Professional Women's Division to commence in the 2006 season; however, no application has been submitted to date. The CPSL's intent is to occupy the same place in the Women's Pyramid that it occupies in the "Men's Pyramid For Play" in Ontario where it is ranked as the top league within Canada and just below the United Soccer Leagues internationally.

The CPSL has also advised the OSA that it is considering operating a tournament in the 2005 season for District Women's All-Star Teams which is expected to serve as a pilot for its league slated to start in 2006. However to date, the OSA has not received an application for such a tournament. The OSA's League Management Committee has some serious concerns about the negative impact of such a tournament on the current "Women's Pyramid For Play" structure and specifically, on the OWSL. The CPSL's tournament plans call for weekend games spanning three months (June to August) which begins to take the shape of a league competition. However, the OSA is prepared to discuss this proposal as soon as an application is received.

In January, the Hamilton Avalanche Soccer Club submitted an application to play in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) - a rival league to the W-League in the USA. However, the Avalanche were unable to obtain club affiliation with the Hamilton & District S.A. and consequently, its application was not eligible to proceed.

Signs of strain are already evident in places like London where the London Gryphons (W-League), London City (CPSL) and London United (OWSL Provincial "Open Age" Division) are competing for the same top players. The OWSL fears that London United (which was a finalist in the 2004 Ontario Cup - Provincial Women's Soccer Championship) will lose out against its higher profile W-League and CPSL opponents.

The League Management Committee intends to address the following questions at the April 2 meeting.

Is the Women's Pyramid already too "top heavy" with the W-League and OWSL at the top and with only four District Leagues at the bottom (as compared to the Men's Pyramid which includes 12 District Leagues)?
Are there too many top level women's leagues being formed?
Can women's soccer in Ontario support the W-League (four teams with expansion plans for six teams), CPSL (a 10-12 team women's pro league), WPSL and the OWSL (with 12 teams in its top provincial "open age" division and another 6 teams in its provincial "Under-21" division)?
What is the impact on the OWSL regarding W-League expansion, introduction of a 10-12 team CPSL league, and team(s) in the WPSL?
Is it time for a professional women's league in Ontario?
What impact would playing in a professional women's league have on an individual player's NCAA eligibility?
From where do the players come to play in a professional women's league? Does Ontario have enough quality women players to support a women's pro loop if the younger elite players opt for NCAA eligibility?
Should the OSA be supporting its teams in USA league(s) or should The OSA be supporting a league developed and controlled by Canadians?
Is there a place for the WPSL in Ontario?
Should the OSA let the market decide by approving teams to play in the W-League, WPSL, CPSL and also endorsing the continuation of the OWSL as its Provincial Women's League and "let the strongest league survive"?
What is the best structure for the women's Pyramid For Play in Ontario?
Do we need a master plan for women's soccer in Ontario?
Can all parties involved in "high level" women's soccer (ie., OWSL, W-League Teams, CPSL) work together and develop a plan for an effective Women's Pyramid For Play in Ontario?

What are the short term and long range plans of all these leagues? In order to answer that question, in mid-February, the OSA requested Position Papers from the CPSL, OWSL and each of the W-League Clubs. The following three Position Papers have now been received from these groups:

World Youth Bid Withdrawn

2005-04-22T16:22:00.000-04:00

By KATHY RUMLESKI -- London Free Press
April 22, 2005

A London soccer group has withdrawn from a process that could have seen the city play a role in the 2007 world youth soccer championship.

An intent to bid for first-round games was filed with the Canadian Soccer Association in January by the London Gryphons, an elite women's team that begins play next month in the U.S.-based W-League.

The team will eventually play at a stadium to be built on a 12-hectare parcel of land on Adelaide Street north of Windermere Road. That complex was a key part of the city's bid.

"We removed our bid because I'm not sure if the stadium will be ready in time," Gryphons GM and part- owner Aldo Caranci said yesterday.

"We didn't want to end up with a black eye in not having a portion of the facility ready for the event."

Eleven other cities submitted intents to bid for a host role at the world tournament but Hamilton, Winnipeg and Calgary also withdrew.

Six cities will hold first-round games, with Toronto and Edmonton playing major roles.

Although the planned London stadium won't see an international soccer tournament in the near future, the facility may be ready for the 2006 world field lacrosse championship. That tournament will be played at several locations throughout the city.

The International Lacrosse Federation, the Gryphons, London United Soccer Club and Fanshawe Optimists are some of the groups involved in the facility project, which calls for eight multi-use fields to be built and seating for 5,500.

"The groups come together and we all have expertise in our area," Caranci said.

"I think we should be in the ground in the next 30 to 60 days."

Canada Defeats Scotland 3-0

2005-04-17T16:20:00.000-04:00

Sunday, April 17, 2005

Canada Defeats Scotland 3-0

Canada’s U16 National Team (1989) defeated Scotland 3-0 on Saturday at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan, Ontario.

Following an even 2-2 result on Thursday against Scotland, the Canadians dominated in this second encounter as forward Todd Rutledge of London, Ontario scored in the 55th and 68th minutes.

Midfielder Fabrice Lassonde of Mt-St-Gregoire, Quebec netted the third in the 82nd minute.

Saturday, April 16, 2005 - International Friendly
The Soccer Centre - Vaughan, ON, Canada
CANADA – 3 (0)
SCOTLAND – 0 (0)
Goals: CANADA – Rutledge 55, 68; Lassonde 82
CANADA: 2–OWUSU-ANSAH Kennedy; 3–ATTAKORA, Nana (4–SMITH, Liam 84’); 6–MELO, Joey; 8–PEREIRA, Michael (Captain); 9–RUTLEDGE, Todd (10–GAUDET, Derek 89’); 12–HABER, Marcus; 13–AUGRUSO, Adam; 15-LASSONDE, Fabrice; 16–ROBERTS, Dane (7–ROSA, Sean 67’); 17–LEKO, Christopher; 22–STREET, Adam (1–GILL, Jaswinder, 46)
Head Coach: HART Stephen
Subs not used: 5–SURPRENANT, Alex; 11–GALA, Gabriel; 14–SAIKO, Shaun

Jacksonville U Signs Two from Ontario

2005-04-07T16:19:00.000-04:00

Women's Soccer Signs Seven For 2005 Season

Orange Park native Michelle Lavine highlights Chris Kouns' first class

April 7, 2005

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The JU women's soccer team signed seven players to national letters of intent, head coach Chris Kouns announced today. The signees include All-First Coast midfielder Michelle Lavine (Orange Park, Fla.), midfielders Heidi Dettmer (Snohomish, Wash.), Angela Hulse (Kirkland, Wash.), Stephanie Kormanik (New City, N.Y.), Katie Orr (London, Ontario), forward Keri Zwikker (Woodstock, Ontario) and defender Kirby Hutton (Clifton, Va.).

"I am pleased with all of the additions and believe they will make contributions immediately for our program," said head women's soccer coach Chris Kouns. "Each young lady adds a new element to our program, including a tremendous work rate and attitude."

Lavine, a first-team all-state, all-district and All-First Coast player, scored the game-winning penalty kick to lead St. John's Country Day to the Class 2A title this year. She is the school's second leading scorer with 103 goals and career leader with 151 assists. She teamed with UAB signee Anna Martorana to lead the squad to two straight Class 2A championship match appearances, including the title this year.

Dettmer earned second-team all-state and All-WESCO honors as the captain for Snohomish (Wash.) High, while also leading her Emerald City club teams to the Northern California Mustang Classic title and a semifinal appearance in the Diadora Cup. Hulse, a club teammate of Dettmer, was twice named Best Offensive Player for Juanita (Wash.) High while earning All-WESCO honors three straight years.

Kormanik was named first-team all-section for her senior and junior years while taking home first-team all-county and all-league honors her senior season for Clarkstown South (N.Y.) High. Kormanik led the squad to the New York state semifinals for two straight years. She also competes with the Eastchester Patriots club team, which is ranked 24th nationally and seventh in Region I, which covers the mid-Atlantic.

Orr participated in the Canadian National Team Prospects Clinic under head coach Evan Pelleruad and led her club team to a bronze medal at the Ontario Summer Games. Zwikker led St. Mary's High School to an Ontario Provincial Cup Championship last season and also scored six game-winning goals in club competition last year. Both Orr and Zwikker hail from the same London United club team as current Dolphin Stephanie Elgie (London, Ontario). Hutton, an All-Concorde (Va.) District honoree this past season, led Centerville High School to a state runner-up finish last season.

Last season under first-year head coach Kouns, JU finished 5-9-5 and advanced to the Atlantic Sun Championship semifinals after defeating third-seeded Florida Atlantic in the first round.

UWO Soccer Reaches Peak

2005-03-28T16:17:00.000-05:00

By KATHY RUMLESKI -- London Free Press
March 28, 2005

Dave Peak had just been handed the reins of the Western women's soccer program yesterday.

His first order of business was to tell the players and others gathered for a news conference to announce his hiring that he plans to lead the team to a national title.

"I hope I can bring something here . . . to win a CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) championship," he said.

The Mustangs have had great regular-season success the past couple of years -- including being the top-ranked team in the country --but they have never won a medal in six appearances at the national tournament.

Peak, who comes to Western after nine seasons as coach of the Fanshawe women's team, said the Mustangs have lots of talent.

They just need to get over the national "stumbling block."

"One thing I can bring is a professional attitude," he said. "Hopefully, we can win the gold medal. Hopefully, it will be sooner than later."

Sarah Regan, a third-year Mustangs forward, said the team has the same goal of winning a national title and the players hope Peak is the one to take them there.

"He's very qualified." Regan said. "It's a nice change as well, someone new with lots of experience."

Peak is the Ontario Soccer Association's regional development coach for this area and, in May, begins duties as the coach of the under-16 girls' provincial team.

Because of his access to top players in the province and beyond, Peak, who has worked with national team phenom Kara Lang, feels recruitment will be one of his strong suits.

"The recruiting net needs to be enlarged. I know people right across the country.

"I know certain people in the big clubs. Hopefully, we can touch base and they can send potential athletes here."

Peak said that although he can't offer players scholarships, he believes Western's status can attract them.

Western had more than 20 coaches apply for the position, which became vacant when two-year coach Mike Van Bussel left to concentrate on his studies.

Mike Lysko, Western's director of sports and recreation services, said Peak's coaching experience and his focus on teaching were the primary reasons why he was hired.

Lysko said he also came to understand the importance of women's soccer in London through the hiring process.

"I gained a keener appreciation of . . . what this team means to the community."

Peak has coached with North London, London United and the London Portuguese men during his 20 years in London.

His assistant coach is Peter Young.

Soccer Minnow Has Bite

2005-03-20T16:12:00.000-05:00

By MORRIS DALLA COSTA -- London Free Press
March 20, 2005

He doesn't look or think like your run-of-the-mill soccer executive.

For one thing, he's about 100 years younger than most of the guys who make decisions concerning the sport. For another, he's actually willing to listen to new ideas in a sport that for too long has been run by neanderthals.

Ryan Gauss is general manager of London City's entry in the Canadian Professional Soccer League's women's division and is a vice-president of London City Soccer Club.

Gauss, who turns 19 today, has the nice hair with the blond highlights and wears fashionable clothes. He's the son of longtime "Mr. Everything" for City, Harry Gauss, and grandson of City president Markus Gauss.

Ryan is like a minnow among sharks in the soccer world. Finding someone that young in these waters is rather remarkable. In fact, Ryan's mother Kathleen was steamed that Harry got his son involved.

Ryan's team is in a division that has caused friction not only within the CPSL but in the Ontario Soccer Association, which has yet to recognize it. Part of the OSA's concern is a lack of elite talent for the women's leagues.

Ryan believes in the women's game and believes in the CPSL's participation.

"To be blunt, it's ignorant to say there's not enough talent to form another league," he says.

Did we mention Ryan was Harry's son? He isn't shy. You turn on your tape recorder for an interview, ask two questions and turn it off.

"There will always be skeptics no matter what I do," he says. "All I ask is not to judge me until they see my work. I am committed to this project. This is my family's team, my family's legacy. I want to be a part of it. Many people say, 'You are just a kid.'

"But I also work for the RCMP. I know how to present myself in business. I know how to get things done."

Gauss is studying political science with a major in history at King's University College. He works with the RCMP as an administrative assistant.

"I will run into skeptics who say, 'You are in this position just because of your last name,' " he said. "You know what? . . . it's because of my last name.

"But my family wouldn't have let me do this, the (club) executive wouldn't have agreed to put me in here if they didn't think I could do it. I just ask everyone not to judge my work until it's done. If I can't do it, then criticize me."

Gauss has been around soccer all his life. He has seen City go through good and bad times. That should have been enough to persuade him not to get involved. Instead he goes into this situation with a strong desire to make not only his team but the entire women's division successful, knowing that changing soccer is never easy.

"Maybe that's the problem. Maybe Canadian soccer is too traditional. We're in a rut. It's an old boys' club, and maybe it's time to let some new blood in. If I come in when I'm 45, I already have a jaded attitude (and) I'm not willing to be innovative and creative.

"That's a great thing about me being young. I'm out there talking to people. I get first-hand knowledge that maybe older people don't care about or don't want to listen to. Sometimes it's their way or the highway.

"Am I going to have age barriers in the soccer community, have problems with people listening to me? Of course, but I'm going to face them head-on. For all those people who say I'm going to disappear, they're in for a rude awakening. When I commit to something, I follow through."

A word to the sharks. This minnow has some serious bite.

Elite women's league gets no respect from OSA

2005-03-01T13:28:00.000-05:00

JIM KERNAGHAN, Free Press Sports Columnist
2005-03-01 02:06:03

Always powerful ingredients for a Hollywood script, power and sex underline an unfolding soccer story. It's not likely to win any Oscars.
The establishment of a proposed elite women's soccer league remains unclear because one party sees its power threatened and has taken what can only be interpreted as a sexist stance to consolidate it.
The Ontario Soccer Association has sought to nix a women's side of the Canadian Professional Soccer League with what appears to be an effort to keep the focus of the women's game on mass participation.
The CPSL, which wants to embark on a six-team elite league the first season in enclosed parks, feels there are ample reasons to establish a top-level loop.
Of course there are. Anyone who has witnessed girls' and women' play the past decade can tell you of the astonishing skill levels they have seen.
Fans who watched the national women's team on TV know all about it.
One of the great moments in Canadian sport recently came from the foot of young Kara Lang. When she struck the top corner from 20 metres at the under-19 world championships in 2002, a lot of people stood up and took notice.
It underscored the level at which women play the game. Just as hockey fans have come to appreciate the kind of game the Olympic gold-medal women's team can muster, soccer fans have become aware of the talents and fine skills of elite female players.
The OSA is in danger of becoming known as the Old Sexist Alliance if it continues to oppose a league that wants to take the game to a higher level. The argument that the Ontario Women's Soccer League exists (well-controlled by the OSA) is a non-starter.
Especially the argument that the new league would be draining off talent. If anybody should know, the OSA should be aware there is enough talent to go around and then some, even with the London Gryphons of the U.S.-based W-League in existence.
There are about 140,000 female soccer players registered in Ontario. Some estimates, when non-registered players are included, hike that to well over 200,000.
Plenty, in other words, for a feeder system to stock multiple leagues, especially when young girls see a clearly defined outlet for their talents as they mature.
The CPSL women's loop intends to operate not as a regular league in the coming summer but rather as a tournament league covering three months. Splitting hairs, the OSA charges, probably accurately.
The CPSL is under the governance of the OSA. And since the OSA is responsible for game officials, there's the threat it will restrict its refs and linesmen. But qualified refs and linesmen who have left the game are available.
Moreover, OSA control is not absolute. It falls under the umbrella of the national body, the Canadian Soccer Association and its decisions.
One fact remains: You can't stifle talent. And if there's a forum for it, talent will gravitate toward it and grassroots numbers will increase in anticipation of that.
What the OSA should be considering is a means to keep women players in Canada and not head south to play. Any top-level loop that can boast all the perks of a men's league ought to help that.
At the moment, elite girls' teams from around Ontario are as strong as any nation in the world. In other parts of the world, mind you, females playing soccer haven't quite caught the imagination of the people who control the game.
Here's a wager: It's a safe bet a Canadian women's team will win a World Cup long before a men's team if there are growing elite stages on which to prepare.

CPSL plans to have women's division

2005-03-01T13:27:00.000-05:00

The Ontario Soccer Association is concerned about a lack of players.
KATHY RUMLESKI, Free Press Sports Reporter
2005-03-01 02:06:00

Officials from the Canadian Professional Soccer League say a women's division will be on the field this summer. "We're on track. Everything is going forward," said Ryan Gauss, who will manage London City's entry. "We are going through the proper channels to get (approval)."
However, the vice-president of the Ontario Soccer Association, which is the body that would approve women's play, said the CPSL could hurt its men's program if it doesn't receive approval for the women first.
"It could put the whole league in jeopardy," John Knox said. "That's the last thing we want to see."
He said a non-sanctioned women's division would be considered an "outlaw league" that would have trouble getting referees.
OSA director and former CPSL president Vince Ursini, who served the league until Sunday, said the CPSL plans to hold an all-star tournament over three months, with the hope of running a league next summer.
"We're trying to step on as few toes as possible," he said.
He said he didn't believe the CPSL would ever run an outlaw league.
Knox did not like the idea of a women's tournament over three months, calling it "a farce."
He said a CPSL women's division could have a "damaging effect" on the Ontario Women's Soccer League, which has been campaigning to stop the CPSL because of a fear of losing players.
Ursini was upset with the OWSL's position.
"It's a selfish attitude," he said. "It's like coaches holding back talented players because they want to win the Ontario Cup."
Knox also said the North American W-League has four Ontario teams, including the London Gryphons, needing talented females.
"At the present time, the (OSA) league management and most of the board don't believe there are sufficient quality women's players in the province right now," Knox said. "If the CPSL is given permission to form a women's league, where are they going to get their players from?"
Knox, who acknowledged the CPSL has a proven track record, said he is hoping to reach a consensus with all parties involved.
He'd like to see a top-flight women's league in the province but believes it is a couple of years away.
"The present W-League teams, if they would come on board and work with us and the CPSL and the OWSL to form a top-level women's league here, we would support that 100 per cent."
A meeting between all parties, including the W-League teams, will take place April 2.

London's Bazos Joins Gators

2005-02-25T13:17:00.000-05:00

Florida Soccer announce nine additions
By University Athletic Association

University of Florida head coach Becky Burleigh announced Wednesday that seven players will join the Gator soccer program for the 2005 fall season. In addition, two new players have joined the Florida team this spring - one as a transfer and one after graduating early from high school.
Leading the class is two midfielders with ties to their national teams - midfielder Ameera Abdullah of Denver, Colo., and Katarina Bazos of London, Ontario. Abdullah is a three-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas Girls Youth All-America selection. She also was a member of the U.S. under-16 and U-17 National Teams. Bazos is a current member of the 2005 U-20 Canadian National Team. She was part of the Canadian National Team that went to U-19 World Championships in Thailand in 2003. Bazos and current Gator All-American Melanie Booth played together on the Toronto Inferno club team.
Florida's class contains several players with considerable Olympic Development Program (ODP) experience. Forward Carly Deiter of Freedom, Pa., was selected to the 2003 and '04 Region I ODP and was a five-year starter for the Pennsylvania West ODP. She played for Sewickley Academy as a freshman, sophomore and junior and scored the game-winning goal to give SA the 2003 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class AA title. Katie Davis, a goalkeeper from Lake Mary, Fla., was a member of the 2001 and '02 Florida ODP state teams. Davis led Lake Highland Prep to the 2005 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 3A soccer final last weekend.
Forward Katie Green of Knoxville, Tenn., has been a part of the Tennessee State ODP team since 1999 and is part of the Region III U-19 team. She is the 2005 Tennessee Player of the Year and also a 2004 and '05 Tennessee Sportswriter's All-State selection. Megan Kerns, a forward from Ames, Iowa, is a seven-year ODP participant, including five years on the Region II ODP team. She attended the ODP National Camp in 2000, '01 and '02. Kerns is also a National Merit Scholar finalist. Forward Brittney Marriott of Satellite is a three-year ODP member and was selected to the 2001-04 Florida State "A" ODP team. Marriott, who comes from the same high school as former Gator All-American Andi Sellers, led Satellite High School to the 2002 and '03 Florida Class 5A state title.
Forward Stacy Bishop of Land O'Lakes transferred to UF for the spring 2005 semester after playing the last two seasons for Louisiana State University. In 2004, Bishop earned All-Southeastern Conference second team honors and was third in the league with 25 points off of nine goals and seven assists. She will sit out the 2005 season due to her transfer between league schools. Another newcomer to the Gator program this spring is forward/midfielder Jacie Henderson of Rochester, N.H. Henderson played for the New Hampshire state team from 2001-04 and earned New Hampshire Class L First Team All-State honors four consecutive years. She graduated early from Portsmouth Christian Academy, enrolled at UF in January and will train with the Gator soccer team this spring.
"This is a gifted class that will address our needs," Burleigh said. "We feel that we signed some quality individuals who will excel on and off the soccer field. I am very excited about this group and look forward to working with them this fall."
The Gator soccer team turned in a 16-4-3 record in 2004, won the Southeastern Conference Tournament title and made its eighth NCAA Tournament appearance.
Ameera Abdullah
NSCAA/adidas Girls Youth All-American (2002, 2003, 2004)…Played on the U-16 and U-17 U.S. National Teams…Four year member of both Colorado State and Regional Olympic Development Program (ODP) teams…First-team Colorado Class 5A in 2004…Member of Real Colorado club team that won U-16 and U-18 Colorado state titles, reached the U-15 and U-17 Orange Classic finals and finished seventh in the U-18 national rankings…Trained at the U.S. Soccer National Training/Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif…Played high school soccer for Smoky Hill H.S. the last two years and part of Centennial League championships teams both years…Will graduate from Smoky Hill High School in Denver, Colo., in June of 2005…Coached by Mike Rivas and Jared Spires at Real Colorado Club team…Contacted by more than 100 schools in the recruiting process.
Katarina Bazos
A current member of the 2005 U-20 Canadian National Team…Member of the U-19 Canadian National Team that went to U-19 World Championships in Thailand in 2003… Played midfielder alongside current Gator All-American Melanie Booth on the Toronto Inferno…Led the Inferno in points (12), assist (4), and shots (23), and also second in goals (4) in 2004… From 1997-03, played for the London Shooting Stars and within a span of seven years won the Ontario Cup three times (2000, 2002, 2003), won national championship (2000), won the Indoor Ontario Cup (2003), won the provincial championship (2001), and also provincial runner-up (2003)… Team MVP for London Shooting Stars for six consecutive years (1998-2003) and top point leader for six years (1998-00, 2002-04)… Has participated in the National Training Center Ontario (NTC-O)…Member of the 2001 U-15 Ontario Provincial National Championship team…In 2002, member of the U-16 Ontario Provincial and U-16 Canadian National Teams…U-17 Ontario Provincial Team, and part of the U-17 and U-19 Canadian National Teams in 2003…Graduated from Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School in London, Ontario, Canada in 2004.
Stacy Bishop
Enrolled at the University of Florida in spring of 2005 after playing for Louisiana State University in the 2003 and '04 seasons…All-Southeastern Conference Second Team (2004)…Led SEC in shots (92), third in points (25), fourth in assists (7) and fifth in goals (9) in 2004…2004 Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-Louisiana Women's Soccer Team member…Louisiana Freshman of the Year (2003)…LSU Offensive MVP (2003)…Florida Olympic Developmental Program (ODP) participant in 1999-02…Member of HC United Club Team…Dairy Farmers Florida Class 2A Player of the Year (2003) and earned Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) Class 2A First Team All- State honors in 2001, '02 and '03…Pasco County all-time scoring leader (192 goals)…Sunshine Athletic Conference Pasco County Player of the Year (2000-03)…Tampa Tribune Pasco County Player of the Year (2000-03)…St. Petersburg Times Pasco County Player of the Year (2000-03)…Scored the only goal of the match to give Land O'Lakes High School the 2003 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 2A state title
Katie Davis
2001 and ’02 Florida Olympic Development Program (ODP) Florida State team member…Member of FC America Kumba club team since 2003 and is coached by Tino Rodrigues…Four year member of Lake Highland Prep School soccer team, where she is also coached by Rodrigues…Led Lake Highland Prep to the 2005 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 3A soccer final.…Team took 2004-05 Region title and was runner-up in 2003-04…Will graduate from Lake Highland Prepatory School in Lake Mary, Fla., in June of 2005.
Carly Deiter
2003 and '04 Region I Olympic Development Program (ODP) selection…Five year starter for Pennsylvania West ODP…Four-year member of Beadling Centennials club team, where she was coached by Tom Murphy and Erik Ingram…Club team won 2002, '03, '04 Pennsylvania West state championships…Beadling Centennials took third at 2003 Region I tournament…Played for Sewickley Academy three seasons (did not play as a senior), where she was coached by Jessica Peluso…Scored game-winning goal as Sewickley Academy won 2003 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class AA title…SA also was runner-up in 2002 state championship…Will graduate from Sewickley Academy in Freedom, Pa., in 2005…Twin sister (Casey) signed a national letter of intent with the University of New Hampshire.
Katie Green
Participated in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) with the Tennessee State Team from 1999-05…Member of Region III U-19 (ODP) team…Eight-year member of Diadora Impact club team where she was coached by Phil McNamara …Club team claimed 2005 Orange Classic title…Team also was 2001 Tennessee state champions and runner-up in 2004…Four-year starter for Farragut High School where she was coached by Dennis Lindsay…2004 and '05 Tennessee Sportswriter's All-State selection…2005 Tennessee Player of the Year…Farragut High School was 2005 Tennessee Class 3A State runner-up…Named district MVP in 2005 and four-time member of all-district team…Regional player of the year (2005)…Will graduate from Farragut High School in Knoxville, Tenn., in 2005…mother and father are UF graduates.
Jacie Henderson (Pronunciation: Jackie)
National Christian Schools Athletic Association (NCSAA) Girls Varsity Soccer All-American First Team selection in 2005…Portsmouth Christian Academy MVP for five consecutive years…New Hampshire Class L First Team All-State (2001, '02, '03, '04) and honorable mention in 2000…Coached by Jim Henderson at Portsmouth Christian Academy…Played forward/midfield for Seacoast United Soccer Club U17 (2002) and also Seacoast United Super Y Team (2003-2004)…Played for the ODP New Hampshire State Team (2001-2004)…New Hampshire TOC State Cup Champions (U14, U16, & U17 SUSC)…Coached by Paul Willis and Dave Burgess at Seacoast United…Graduated early from Portsmouth Christian Academy and enrolled at the University of Florida in January of 2005.
Megan Kerns
Forward for the Ankeny Soccer Club for six years and also appears at midfielder…Won six consecutive State Cup Championships with Ankeny Soccer Club…Participated in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) for seven years… Played for Regional II ODP team for five years…Attended the 2000, '01 and '02 ODP National Camp… Went on European Tour with the Region II ODP in 2004 and with Iowa ODP in 2001…Member of championship team at 2001 Vildbjerg (Denmark) Cup with Iowa ODP and also part of 2001 Norway Cup quarterfinal team in Oslo, Norway…Coached by Ozzie White at the Ankeny Soccer Club…National Merit Scholar Finalist and academic four year letter winner… Will graduate from Ames High School in Ames, Iowa, in 2005.
Brittney Marriott
Played forward and also appeared at left outside midfield for three years with the Indialantic Force…Won state championship with Indialantic Force in 2002…Earned Michelle Akers Classic All-Tournament First Team Honors (2003)…Three-year member of the Olympic Development Program (ODP)…Made (ODP) Florida State "A" Team (2001-2004)… Member of Satellite High School team that won the 2002 and '03 Florida Class 5A State Championships, runner-up in 2004 and reached the semifinals in 2005…Other high school honors include Team Offensive MVP (2004), All-State Team (2004), Florida All-Space Coast Team (2002-2004), Rookie of the Year (2001), and Orlando Sentinel Player of the Year (2004)…Scored 104 goals during her high school career…Member of Southeastern Regional Team in (2003)…Coached by Fitzgerald Haig at the Indialantic Force and Fidgi Haig at Satellite High School…Will graduate from Satellite High School in Satellite Beach, Fla., in 2005.

OSA February Board Decisions

2005-02-24T23:52:00.000-05:00

OSA Board of Directors Decisions at its February Meeting
The OSA's Board of Directors held its quarterly meeting at the Radisson Suites Hotel at the Toronto Airport on the February 18-20, 2005 weekend.

Click Here for the February Report.

Women's league rejected

2005-02-24T15:22:00.000-05:00

The Ontario soccer body says a proposed league would damage an existing group.
KATHY RUMLESKI, Free Press Sports Reporter
2005-02-24 03:29:26

The Ontario Soccer Association is rejecting a plan by the Canadian Professional Soccer League to run a women's league this summer. In an e-mail obtained by The Free Press, John Knox, the OSA's league management committee chairperson, said his group won't allow the league to operate because it could have "a potentially damaging effect on the (Ontario Women's Soccer League)."
CPSL spokesperson Stan Adamson said he was stunned that any OSA official would make such comments.
"It's bowing to internal pressures and the politics of the game," Adamson said. "It's dynamite; it's jumping the gun."
He said the league hasn't had a chance to present its case.
The CPSL needs the approval of the governing body to run a female league or a tournament. It is considering a tournament if the league does not proceed.
Knox says the league's suggestion of holding a tournament over three months "is a farce" and he plans to take any steps needed to stop the CPSL.
OSA officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The Ontario Women's Soccer League is also trying to stop the CPSL's plans.
"My members are against it," said OWSL president Tony Crowle.
He said the 12 provincial division teams would lose players to the CPSL.
"It's going to impact their teams greatly." London is concerned because girls are hedging "about signing with . . . their provincial team (London United Marconi), because they don't know what's happening."
Ryan Gauss, manager of London City's women's team that would play in the CPSL, said his team won't take players from the OWSL.
"We're not here to dismantle their provincial team," he said.
Adamson believes there are enough females playing soccer that even more top-flight teams could be added.
"A case could be made that there isn't even enough structure in place," he said.
Adamson said his group has put a lot of work into its proposal and they want to talk to the OSA about it.
"We will go back to the OSA and appeal to them to see reason."
The two sides are even disputing whether the CPSL has submitted an application to the OSA.
Adamson says an application in principle to operate women's soccer has been submitted, while the league management committee said in the letter that "no application has been received from the CPSL to run a league or a tournament."

CSA Launches ‘iCoach’

2005-02-23T13:20:00.000-05:00

Coaching Center
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
CSA Launches New Online Coaching System - ‘iCoach’

Ottawa, Ontario - As part of its commitment to grass roots development the CSA is proud to announce the launch of its new Online Coaching System known as ‘iCoach’. ‘iCoach’ was designed in association with Nortia Technologies to assist coaches to plan, share and save practice sessions, schedule games and tournaments, develop team lists and store and track player information. In addition, with its internal message centre and discussion board each player and coach within a team can be in touch with one another on a real time basis. [iCoach]“I think that this tool will be a great help to coaches at all levels and will simplify all aspects of organizing their coaching duties,” said Ray Clark, Director of Coaching & Player Development for the Canadian Soccer Association. “With life getting busier and busier, having one easy-to-use tool to help accomplish this will be a tremendous benefit to coaches. The ability to communicate through the message centre and the discussion board is a great time saver in itself.”Another function that has been developed in ‘iCoach’ allows the Canadian Soccer Association to provide each coach subscriber access to additional resources which will be updated at intervals throughout the year. Coaches now have somewhere to go for help or information and it’s just a click of a mouse away. For those who want to improve their understanding of coaching young players, there are the special CSA Online Courses that walk coaches through various aspects of the art of coaching with the help of written instruction and streaming video.As a subscriber to ‘iCoach’, you will be able to:
Create and share a team home page
Schedule and plan games, plan practices, and other events
Have access to over 50 drills (complete with streaming video) that you can use in your own practice plans
Create your own drills
Have access to resources created by the Canadian Soccer Association, including online courses for personal development
Communicate with your players using the messaging tools and discussion board
Create team or event photo albums
View and print team lists
Your Players will be able to:
View resources provided by the coach and the Canadian Soccer Association
View practice plans complete with streaming video
Efficiently communicate with the coach and/or team mates
View photo albums
View and print team listsGiven all that ‘iCoach’ can do for coaches it’s no surprise that the Canadian Soccer Association is so excited about this new coaching tool. Clark goes on to say “…we were so impressed with the number of ways ‘icoach’ can be used to assist coaches to do their job that we have customized a version for use with our National Teams Program.”To try this online coaching system free for 30 days, simply click on the ‘iCoach’ button shown on the CSA’s Home Page. Annual subscription thereafter is only $29.95.

Top soccer showdown looms

2005-02-19T16:48:00.000-05:00

The W-League's Gryphs and the CPSL's City will try to sign the area's best female players.

KATHY RUMLESKI, Free Press Sports Reporter
2005-02-18 01:54:57

The future of top-flight women's soccer in London is shaping up to be a showdown between two parties eager to form teams for this summer. The London Gryphons are holding a tryout on Sunday as they get set to compete in the Tampa, Fla.-based W-League, the longest-running women's league in the U.S.
London City will hold its first tryout April 3 for play in the Canadian Professional Soccer League's proposed female division.
Both sides will be competing for the best female players in Southwestern Ontario.
"We are trying to get the cream of the crop. We'll miss out on some," said Gryphons GM Aldo Caranci. "I think if they're good enough to play for the W-League, they should be playing in this league."
Ryan Gauss, the manager for City's women's team, said the race is on. "You have to go gung-ho; you can't sit back."
Caranci said the Gryphons have signed all-Canadian striker Cristina Bonasia, who also plays for the Western Mustangs, and Kimberly Dimitroff of Oakville, an all-American forward with Kent State.
Former Western star Eva Havaris, a Londoner, would like to play for one of the teams but isn't making any decisions until her coaching status becomes clear. Havaris plans to coach a North London competitive team and she'd also like to coach the female Mustangs.
"It's just going to be a matter of whoever can be flexible with that (coaching) schedule," said Havaris, who is managing Canada's under-19 women's rugby team.
While the Gryphons will begin play May 22 in London against the Fort Wayne Fever, the CPSL is awaiting approval from the Ontario Soccer Association. That could come Feb. 27 when the CPSL presents its proposal to the association.
"I believe we are on the right track with our current plans, which I hope will be well received and supported by our governing body and all other supporters of women's soccer," said Vince Ursini, CPSL president.
Ursini also said women should choose to play in the CPSL because it is a league developed and controlled by Canadians.
The Gryphons -- who will play in the mid-West conference with Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Fort Wayne and West Michigan -- are one of six new franchises in the 34-team W-League.
While the W-League does not pay its players, there are some in the league who do get paid by other clubs, said league spokesperson Gerald Barnhart.
He said the league doesn't want to break NCAA scholarship eligibility rules, which prohibit college players on scholarships from getting paid. A player can also lose amateur status by playing in a league deemed professional even if no money is exchanged.
Caranci, a part-owner of the Gryphons with Londoners Aaron and Ed Lauterbach and American Eric Voide, said females playing in the CPSL may jeopardize their scholarship chances. "A lot of girls have an issue with it."
CPSL public relations director Stan Adamson said the league is close to getting an exemption from the NCAA for teams such as London City who do not pay players.
"We could gain quick approval on that," he said.
The Gryphons played three W-League exhibition games and then shut down last July.
"I'm glad we had an exhibition year. It gave us time to work all the bugs out," Caranci said.
But skepticism that the team will play all 14 games this season has come from some corners.
Caranci said the team is on solid ground and will play the full schedule.
There's also doubt the CPSL will gain approval from the OSA for its plans.
Gauss said his league would lose some credibility if the women's division isn't a go this summer.
"It would be damaging," he said. "A buzz is being created. To get it squashed . . . are people going to be interested in it next year? You have to strike while the iron's hot."
Officials from both teams agreed the future of women's soccer in London has never looked better.
"Girls are going to get to play at this level," Gauss said. "That's our main goal here."
Copyright © The London Free Press

Anthony Vassallo on Good Goal Pace

2005-02-18T18:49:00.000-05:00

Malta - Press Release - February 18, 2005

Canadian born Anthony Vassallo continues to score for the Birkirkara Youth Squad. He notched his 7th goal in 11 games on Thursday in a 5-1 victory over Pieta Hotspurs. Anthony is 2nd on the team in goal scoring, just after Ian Falzon who also scored in the Stripes Victory. The Birkirkara squad has a good hold on 1st place in the top Maltese youth football division.
http://www.maltafootball.com/youthsa.shtml
They currently are 11-1-1 with 34 points.
17 year old Vassallo holds a duel Maltese/Canadian citizenship, and is one of several Birkirkara Players who are currently training with the U19 Maltese National Team.

Canada up five places in FIFA rankings

2005-02-16T13:22:00.000-05:00

Canada up five places in FIFA rankings
Canadian Press
2/16/2005

ZURICH (CP) - Canada jumped five places to No. 85 in the FIFA world soccer rankings Wednesday, its highest position since October 2003.
Frank Yallop's team was rewarded for a 1-0 win in Northern Ireland. Canada was as low as No. 99 in September 2004. Northern Ireland, meanwhile, dropped two places to No. 111.
Only Ukraine (No. 49, up eight) and Chad (No. 160, up eight) moved more than Canada in February.
European champion Greece also jumped five spots to No. 13, its highest position since the FIFA rankings were introduced in 1993.

Canada stands ninth in CONCACAF, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.
There were no changes at the top end. Brazil remained No. 1, followed by France, Argentina, the Czech Republic and Spain. Mexico moved up one place into a tie with the Netherlands for No. 6, ahead of England, Portugal and Italy.
Canada plays No. 9 Portugal in a March 26 friendly.

GRYPHON’S SIGN WESTERN STANDOUT!

2005-02-14T11:45:00.000-05:00

LONDON ONTARIO,Feb 14 2005

Cristina Bonasia tough, hard-nosed midfielder-forward
and a prototype W-League player will bring great versatility and outstanding
leadership qualities to the Gryphons, says Head Coach Paul D'Hollander, Bonasia
has a long list of accomplishments notably 4 time OUA All Star, 4 time All
Canadian, Ontario and Canadian Rookie of the year and a still unbroken record
scoring 12 goals in 6 games along with the game winner in the gold medal OFFSA
game. D'Hollander says along with her newly signed teamates she hopes to be
instrumental in helping us immediately as a ball winner and she also has great
ability to get us into our attack.

Women's soccer group ready to go

2005-02-10T22:21:00.000-05:00

Women's soccer group ready to go
By MORRIS DALLA COSTA -- London Free Press

Three days ago, the Canadian Professional Soccer League was pretty sure its women's division, set to begin in 2005, wouldn't start until 2006.
And when it did begin, it would start with only six teams, not the proposed 12.
But that was three days ago.
After a league meeting, the CPSL will debut a women's division in June and it will include nine teams, not six.
London City Soccer Club general manager Harry Gauss attended the meeting and was a major proponent of the division. As expected, there was some waffling from organizations that don't want to touch the women's game.
But in the end, good sense carried the day.
There was a fear the proposed division would not happen. League officials indicated the Ontario Soccer Association had not yet recognized the proposed addition to the CPSL. Each team will be recognized by its local soccer association and the association will then go to the OSA.
A delay would have created more trouble within the league. When a plan's in place, it had better get done or it may get forgotten.
"I'm still reeling that we got nine teams," Gauss said. "I think we all recognize this project is a good project, that we do parallel the men's game and that the men's and women's game at this level have to be cultivated in the same parameters. It's not as if we began planning last year for this. The plans have been in the works for four years."
Soccer is dominated by men. While men at the highest levels recognize the value of women's soccer and have acknowledged it by promotion and through high-profile tournaments, many lower-level organizations remain firmly in prehistoric times.
Women's soccer is growing faster than men's soccer and provides a vast marketing opportunity. If you look in the stands during a women's game, you see not only men but also many young females, many of whom play soccer.
It's a demographic that spends a lot of money on the game.
London City will be managed by Ryan Gauss, soon to be 19, and coached by Tonino Commisso.
London is joined by Windsor, Oshawa, Toronto Supra, North York, Brampton, Oakville, St. Catharines and Vaughan. City will probably play in a three-team division with Windsor and Brampton as part of a 10-game schedule. They'll play Windsor and Brampton twice and every other team once. At the end of the season, a women's Canada Cup tournament will be held.
Ryan Gauss will be by far the youngest general manager in the league.
It's a homecoming of sorts for London City. They have been out of women's soccer for 10 years and therefore have no core group of players to call on.
"We've been out there scouting," Harry Gauss said. "So far, everyone has been very receptive. The whole theory is to showcase all the best London and local players."
Commisso retired this year after 13 years with London City.
"It got harder to get over the aches and pains after every game so I realized it was time to go into a different direction. I'm very excited because I'm starting with a blank book with this team. You can start from scratch and decide what you want to do and what kind of team you want. We want mostly a local team. We are checking a lot of players in London but we have eyes out in Sarnia and other areas. There's a lot of youth team champions in this area and that means a lot of talented players."
Commisso likes the women's game because it's team-focused. "Women's soccer requires a full team effort," he said.
So does a league. It seems it finally happened.

LONDON GRYPHONS OPEN TRYOUTS

2005-02-10T11:38:00.000-05:00

LONDON, ONTARIO - February 10 2005

The London Gryphons women’s W-League soccer team will hold open tryout/combines on February 27 2005. Tryouts will be limited to 75 participants per session and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Tryouts will be held from 11am -12:30 at North London Optimist Community Centre, 1345 Cheapside Street, London, Ontario, N5V 3N9Registration
There is no fee to attend tryouts. London Gryphons coaching staff and professional coaches from other teams will be assessing players attending the tryouts. Players must attend this session to be considered for the invitation only tryout in March.
Players invited by the London Gryphons staff to return and attend the London Gryphons Invitational Tryout in March, will be contacted the same day. Please confirm attendance via E-mail to acaranci@londongryphonsoccer.com
www.londongryphonsoccer.com

Gryphons start signings with local talents

2005-02-09T11:47:00.000-05:00

Gryphons start signings with local talents

Gryphons sign local London players for inaugural 05 season. Natalie D'oria and Meaghan Robinson were the first to sign and bring a strong soccer passion to the first season
of The London Gryphons. "Natalie is a dynamic midfield player with an attacking
flair," said Head coach Paul D'Hollander "Her speed and tireless work ethic
make her a valuable attacking influence in the game. She has the ability to
play centrally as well as wide, she creates scoring opportunities for the forwards,
and she is very dangerous in the attack with her one-on-one ability." Meaghan
Robinson the other gifted athlete with an intense desire to succeed," said
D'Hollander."She adds incredible speed and physical play to our lineup. She
can play both centrally and wide. She has the ability to join the attack with
overlapping runs and can serve a dangerous ball into the attack."

Gryphons Sign Freshman All-America

2005-02-09T11:46:00.000-05:00

LONDON, ONTARIO

Gryphons add Freshman All-America to its 05 roster. Kimberly Dimitroff isa fast and skillful forward who can beat a defender with speed or her incredibletechnical ability," said Paul D'Hollander Head Coach of the London Gryphons."She is a passionate goal scorer who will shred the defense and bury the shot.She will make all our forwards better with her ability." In her first yearat Kent State, she finished second in the MAC with 36 points, ranking secondwith 16 goals and also added four assists. Dimitroff led the conference andfinished 28th in the nation in points per game (1.80), while also leading theMAC in goals per game (0.80) and ranking 20th in the NCAA. Dimitroff set KentState single-season records for goals and points and also set a school recordby scoring in four consecutive games, doing so twice this season. The 16 goalsscored last season also moved Dimitroff into third place on the all-time goal-scoringlist at Kent State. Along with becoming the first Kent State player to receiveall-region honors, Dimitroff became just the second first team All-MAC performerin the 04 season. We're excited to be bringing in athletes who come from thehighest competitive backgrounds, as a result of that we can expect their transitionsin playing in the #2 ranked women’s league in the world the W-league to bea smooth one , said D'Hollander

Women's soccer group up in air

2005-02-08T22:36:00.000-05:00

Morris Dalla Costa, Free Press sports columnist 2005-02-08 - 02:34:04

The Canadian Professional Soccer League is ready to kick off it's new women's division. Better make that sort of . . . maybe . . . perhaps.Well, at least Harry Gauss of London City has his women's team ready go this year.He'll have to wait and see whether the CPSL decides to begin operating the division this year or next. The league is awaiting approval from the Ontario Soccer Association for the women's division to be recognized.Confused? It's soccer. Expect to be confused."We're ready to go," Gauss said before heading to Toronto to discuss the women's teams and other soccer business. "We need someplace to showcase these women players. These are women who can play at the highest level of the game."Gauss has a coaching staff, with Tonino Commisso as head coach.Women's soccer is growing at all levels, particularly at the minor level. At various age groups, our national women's teams have had far more success than men's programs. With so many quality players, the CPSL thought it would be a natural for any city with a CPSL men's team to establish a woman's program.The league was also concerned about the advent of the W-League, a North American professional women's league. The W-League has several Canadian franchises but is administered in the United States.Twelve CPSL women's teams were expected to take to the field as of June 13, one for each CPSL men's franchise. But Gauss says six are scheduled to participate in a home-and-home schedule. Joining London will be Windsor, Oshawa, North York, Vaughan and Toronto Supra.Stan Adamson of the CPSL said yesterday there are some issues to resolve."In principle, the CPSL set up a women's division for this year," he said. "It's got some hurdles because there's already a women's structure in Ontario, so the CPSL has to apply to the OSA. The first consideration was to have (a division) in 2005, then, because of the things to be done to satisfy the OSA, that was changed to 2006."It's now still an attempt (to get it going) for 2005. It's very much at the planning stage, very much in the works. Whether it's 2005 or 2006 . . . if you ask Harry, he says 90 per cent for 2005, but realistically my numbers are a 50-50 proposition for 2005. It could go in 2005 but it may be put back to 2006 because there's a lot of work to be done."If you work through that carefully, you can come up with this translation: No one knows what's going on and there hasn't been enough preparation done. What hits you is that even though the CPSL made an announcement last May about the women's component, here it is February and it still has no approval from the OSA. In fact, only six of the teams in the CPSL have decided to enter teams in a women's division.No translation needed for that number."I think (the OSA) likes what the CPSL has and what they can do," Adamson said."Their inclination is to say, 'These people are in the business of soccer at a professional level but it has to go through a process.' "Gauss has always been a progressive sort when it comes to soccer. If something is good for the game, it should be implemented. But anyone who follows the game or has been involved in it also knows how difficult it is to change anything for the better."It's a culture shock for some people. They still can't believe that women are out of the kitchen," Gauss said."The numbers tell us this is a growing product and it's a good product. It can be entertaining."Now that's something to look forward to this year. Or is it next year? Better make that whenever.Copyright © The London Free Press

Gryphons unveil club nights program

2005-02-07T11:48:00.000-05:00

Club Nights at Gryphons
Home Games Bring your club to
a 2005 GRYPHONS Game!

The London Gryphons are proud to promote youth soccer
in the Southwestern Ontario. For this reason, we offer great incentives to
get your soccer club to a Gryphons game. Your entire soccer club is in for
an exciting day at North London Stadium Field where, in addition to watching
a fantastic game, they’ll be able to participate in fun activities.
Pre-game Youth Matches in North London Stadium Field
Your club’s teams can have matches right on the field! The kids will never
forget it!
Youth Escorts for Gryphons and Visiting Team Players
As the starting lineups are announced, each youth player runs onto the field
with a Gryphon or visiting player and remains on the field with the teams for
the playing of the national anthem.
Youth Ball Managers Line the Field Perimeter
Your teams can take turns lining the field to “stand guard” to collect soccer
balls kicked out of play.
Recognition in PA Announcements
Hear your soccer club’s name in the Stadium! Have your club listed on the
program guide.
To qualify for this great event for your club, you only
need to purchase a minimum of 75 tickets to reserve your date with the Gryphons.You
may use your tickets for players as well as their families and friends.
Tickets are just $3 each—a savings of $2 per ticket! For all of their hard
work, club night organizers receive two Reserved Season passes at North London
Stadium Field.
Club Nights – Min 75 tickets $250 needed to secure date
Escorts, ball managers
half time game on field (age restrictions)
For more info contact :
teams@londongryphonsoccer.com

Paul Munster to regain full fitness

2005-02-07T08:50:00.000-05:00

7.2.2005

Northern Irish Slavia forward Paul Munster was elected Slavia star of the month in the voting of fans, especially for his performances in the preparatory tournament. But Paul suffered an instep injury in the last match of Tipsport Cup in Prague on 26 January. Nevertheless during the training camp in Turkey he was in the starting line-up in the first game, but had to be substituted after twenty minutes of play. "I suffered the minor injury in one of the friendlies and I needed more time to recover fully from it," Paul told to our website after the return to Prague. How long will it take to return to the pitch? "I was swimming on Monday, I will test it with running tomorrow and kicking the ball on Wednesday training. I can´t wait to get fitness and get back to full training." Slavia will restart training on Wednesday morning. It will be a special day for Paul as he will celebrate his 23rd birthday. Many happy returns (Vsechno nejlepsi!), Paul!

Interim tag removed from Gryphons

2005-02-06T11:50:00.000-05:00

Immediate Release Feb 6 2005

Interim tag removed from Gryphons
Head Coach position ,Paul D'hollanders appointment as the head coach of the London Gryphons
followed a year of service to their exhibition season where he assumed interim duties during 04. D'hollander assumes duties immediately and wastes no time at signing high caliber players for the upcomming season GM Aldo Caranci says.
We are getting a coach that is not only familiar with our organization but has an extensive
knowledge of high caliber coaching he knows what he wants and goes for it. Ladies that have signed to date are pleased to have D'hollander Back for their Inagural year.

Western Women's Soccer Coach steps down

2005-02-03T07:43:00.000-05:00

Western Women's Soccer Coach steps down to pursue Ph.D.
Feb 3rd, 2005
by Jeff Renaud

Western Mustangs Women's Soccer Coach Michael Van Bussel has stepped down as head coach of the Western women's soccer team to devote his time towards the completion of his doctoral studies at the Faculty of Education at Western. "We are grateful to Coach Van Bussel for his contribution to our program and wish him all the best in his academic pursuits," stated Michael Lysko, Director of Sports and Recreational Services. "He has played an integral role in the success of the women's soccer program here at Western the past two seasons and has left a tremendous foundation for us to continue to be competitive on a national level.” “Due to the intense demands of my educational commitments, and with great regret, I have decided it is necessary to step down as head coach of the Women's Soccer Program at Western,” stated Van Bussel. “This is necessary to successfully fulfill the requirements of my doctorate in Educational Studies. Indeed, this was a very difficult decision for me as I am very proud of the accomplishments of the Western Women's Soccer Program over the past two years. Moreover, the players and coaches that I have worked with during my tenure are wonderful people and I will miss them immensely. I would like to wish the program best of luck and continued success in the future.” Van Bussel was named Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Coach of the Year this past season as he led Western to the OUA gold medal. The Mustangs capped an undefeated regular season record of 10 wins and a tie as Western beats Queen’s 2-1 in the championship game. In 2003, Van Bussel guided the Mustangs to a perfect regular season record of 10-0 and Western went on to win the OUA bronze medal. He was named OUA Coach of the Year for 2003. Van Bussel was appointed head coach of the women's soccer team in January 2003. He replaced Mark Eys, who led the squad from 2000-2002. The search for a replacement for Van Bussel begins immediately.

Women's Soccer Announces 2005 Signing Class

2005-02-02T22:39:00.000-05:00

Signees Include Three Local Players
Feb. 2, 2005

BOCA RATON, FL - The FAU women's soccer family just got bigger, as head coach Brian Dooley announced today the addition of five student-athletes to the 2005 squad. Signing national letters of intent on the first day of the national signing period were Natalie D'Oria, Jessica Badders, and South Florida stars Ashley Mannarino and Katie Howe. Also set to join the team is Ohio transfer Isdy Diaz. They will all join an FAU team that has won two of the past three Atlantic Sun Conference regular season championships.
"We feel we've improved the team in critical need areas with this class," said Dooley. "Along with that, we've improved the overall team speed and athleticism. We're excited to be bringing in student-athletes who come from the highest competitive backgrounds, as we can expect their transitions to be smoother as a result of that."
D'Oria, a 5-3 midfielder from London, Ontario, Canada, attends Catholic Central High School and played club soccer for London United. She was also a member of the Provincial Team and attended the National Training Center. Playing for Catholic Central, she was a member of the 2004 OFSAA Ontario girls' soccer runners-up (silver medalists) and scored the team's only goal, an equalizer, in the championship final.

"Natalie is a dynamic midfield player with an attacking flair," said Dooley. "Her speed and tireless work ethic make her a valuable attacking influence in the game. She has the ability to play centrally as well as wide, she creates scoring opportunities for the forwards, and she is very dangerous in the attack with her one-on-one ability."
Badders, a 5-8 goalkeeper from Southlake, TX, attends Southlake Carroll High School and played club soccer for D'Feeters Soccer Club, 2002-04 and Texas American Eagles SC, 1997-02. She has been a member of the NTSSA Olympic Development Program since 1999. In addition to earning All-District 7-5A honors as a goalkeeper, Badders was also named Academic All-District, earned several academic honors, and competed on the Southlake Carroll Track and Cross Country teams.
"Jessica is a strong keeper with exceptional distribution skills," said Dooley. "She plays high out of the penalty area and is equally adept at playing with her feet or her hands. She is a good shot blocker and controls the defensive third with her ability to organize the defense."
Mannarino, a 5-5 forward from Boca Raton, FL, attends Boca Raton Pope John Paul II and played club soccer for Team Boca. In addition to playing for the Florida Olympic Development Team, she also was a member of Class 3A State runners-up in 2004, and scored their only goal in the championship game against Melbourne Central Catholic. Selected to the 2004 All-State First Team by the Florida Sports Writers Association, she was also named First Team All-Palm Beach County by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel as a junior when she led all midfielders in scoring with 30 goals and 21 assists
"Ashley is a fast and skillful forward who can beat a defender with speed or her incredible technical ability," said Dooley. "She is a passionate goal scorer who will shred the defense and bury the shot. She will make all our forwards better with her ability."
Howe, a 5-5 defender from Saint Lucie West, FL, attends Centennial High and played club soccer for Palm Beach United. She has been a member of the Florida Youth Soccer Association State Champions for the past three seasons (2002-04).
"Katie is a gifted athlete with an intense desire to succeed," said Dooley. "She adds incredible speed and physical play to our defense. She can play both centrally and wide. She has the ability to join the attack with overlapping runs and can serve a dangerous ball into the attack."
Diaz, a 5-7 defender from Boca Raton, FL, transfers to Florida Atlantic from Ohio University. A four-year letter winner with all-county, all-conference, and all-area accolades dating back to her sophomore season, she helped lead Spanish River HS to the Florida state title. With the Bobcats, she appeared in 16 games and started four times in two years. She rejoins former Team Boca teammates Christina Rodrigues and Cristina Chang on the FAU roster.
"Isdy is a strong central or wide defender with physical presence," said Dooley. "She will bring a technical presence in the defense with the ability to possess the ball and connect with the attack."
The Lady Owls, who finished third in the Atlantic Sun last season and lost just five seniors, should be a favorite to reach even greater heights this season. FAU's top six scorers from last season are all scheduled back in 2005, including first team Atlantic Sun honorees Denise Brolly, Katri Nokso-Koivisto, and Susanna Lehtinen.

GRYPHONS SCHEDULE

2005-02-02T11:53:00.000-05:00

USL Unveils 2005 W-League Schedule
Defending champion Vancouver opens May 14 at home
USL News Release Wednesday, February 2, 2005 TAMPA, FL

United Soccer Leagues announced the W-League season schedulefor 2005 Wednesday. The 34-team league kicks off its 239-game schedule May6 in Bradenton, Florida with the Bradenton Athletics playing host to the CarolinaDynamo Women. Opening Weekend in the W-League continues the following nightwhen the Dynamo visit the expansion Central Florida Krush in Orlando and theexpansion Atlanta Silverbacks Women play host to the 2003 champion HamptonRoads Piranhas. The defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps open defenseof their title May 14 at home against the Arizona Heatwave. Fellow finalist New Jersey Wildcats kick off their 2005 campaign the samenight with a road trip to the Big Apple to play the New York Magic. Vancouver and New Jersey will be looking to continue their unbeaten streakswhen they open the season after finishing in a draw in the 2004 final. Bothcompleted the season unbeaten with New Jersey at 17-0-1 and the Whitecaps at15-0-2. The season comes to a close July 24 with nine games.

MARCH MADNESS TOURNAMENT

2005-01-31T07:29:00.000-05:00

Monday, January 31, 2005
MARCH MADNESS TOURNAMENT

Download an application for the March Madness Indoor Tournament being held at the London Optimist Sports Centre, March 14 to March 18, 2005.http://indoor.ldysl.com//Downloads/mmt2005.pdf

GATORS GET BAZOS

2005-01-20T08:52:00.000-05:00

Congratulations and best wishes go out to former North London player Kate Bazos who has just signed an athletic scholarship with the University of Florida. In signing with the Gators Kate becomes the first female athlete from London to play soccer in one of the top ranked Conferences in the U.S., SEC Conference.

University of Florida have won the SEC Conferece title 4 of the past 6 seasons. They have competed in the NCAA Tournaments for seven consecutive years (only the University of North Carolina have competed in more consecutive NCAA Tournaments), winning the NCAA championship in 2001.
From everyone at London City/North London Soccer Club we congratulate Kate on her great achievments and wish her all the best as she moves on to sunny Florida.

Elgin Middlesex Annual Meeting

2005-01-17T19:26:00.000-05:00

January 17, 2005

EMSA held it's annual general meeting yesterday and made some changes to it's executive.

President
William Spence

Vice-President
Cam Vassallo

Secretary
Phil Hinchley

Treasurer
Isabel Spence

Registrar
Gus Katsiroumbu

Council Member
Steve McEachern

Disctrict Referee Coordinator
Bill McCallum

District Coach
Rock Bosacco

District Administrator
Debbie Johnson

Kicking the ball for women's soccer

2005-01-15T19:25:00.000-05:00

Jim KernaghanThe London Free Press
2005-01-15

For somebody who never kicked one, Ada Edwards sure knows how to keep a ball in the air.
Quite a few of them, in fact, as the veteran soccer administrator gets set for the 30th anniversary of the London and Area Women's Soccer League.
So, how does a non-player find herself founding a league and becoming its first president? "Maybe because I didn't know what I was getting into," she says with a laugh.
Ada laughs a lot. It's not a bad idea to have a sense of humour when one has devoted three decades of time, effort and sometimes her own money into an undertaking that hasn't always been gratifying.
In fact, it's been a struggle much of the time to keep that ball in the air, which is one of the reasons she will be honoured Monday night at the London Sports Celebrity Dinner and Auction as sportsperson of the year.
In ways, she is representative of the many volunteers whose work rarely gets notice.
Without them all, amateur sports would flounder.
That ever-present laugh attends the very notion of being recognized.
"Oh, I don't think you do these things looking for any credit, because you're not," she says. "You see it as something that's needed, something you can do for somebody else."
She got involved 30 years ago after watching a men's indoor soccer game at the old Ontario Arena. She wondered aloud why there was no soccer for women and girls when Bev Headley, seated ahead of her, asked the same question.
Along with Loraine Johnston, the league was formed. Players were given free registration the first year. They weren't taken seriously at first but Edwards prevailed and was allowed to sit in at meetings of what is now the Western Ontario Soccer League to get a handle on running a league.
From six teams, the league has grown to 34 registered for the 2005 season. Edwards also is secretary of the men's league.
There aren't a lot of differences in their games in terms of skill sets as women's soccer has blossomed. Edwards recalls a group of women hockey players from Western registering to play soccer as a conditioner for hockey, then focussing most of their attention on soccer.
"We play the game as well as men at our different levels. We've found, and the referees have found, they're out there to play soccer and if something happens on the field, it happens. In the men's game, sometimes there's somebody looking for revenge."
It wasn't a straight run to the league's current stature.
"There've been a lot of ups and downs," Edwards said. "You think you're going ahead and fall back a bit. But the last five years has been an eye-opener," she said in reference to the growth of the game. "It's been marvelous having such focus on the (Canadian) international teams.
"That game in Edmonton a couple of years ago when they had 47,000 people (for a Canada-USA g Under-19 game) was tremendous. There's something for players to aim for, such as the provincial level of play and further."
One of Edwards' fondest memories was when one of the teams won the Ontario Cup in the early 1980's in Toronto. It was tangible proof that the program was succeeding.
"On the way back, somebody filled the cup with beer and everyone had to have a drink out of it," recalled the retired communications supervisor from The Child and Parent Resource Institute. "It was a fun time. And I don't even like beer."
The league is hoping to attract some of the original players to its annual banquet in the fall.
What if the response is too big for the facility?
"Well, we'll just run another one," Edwards said, laughing.

Orange Classic Tournament

2004-12-31T22:47:00.000-05:00

London United Scholarship Program participated at the Orange Classic Tournament in Ft.

Lauderdale, Florida between December 27th to December 30th.
Girls who participated were Emily Gillet, Carly Watters, Nikki Gabrielli, Keri Zwikker, Carissa McLellan, Natalie D'Oria, Devon Romak, Katie Orr, Tomara Patchett, Nikki Mason, Lauren Halvorsen, Kirsten White and Daniella D'Oria. They played in the U18 Division.
Results: London United 4 v Yorktown FC, Jaquar, NY 1 London United 3 v Challenge Blitz 87, TX 0 London United 3 v Real Colorado Olympico, CO 0 FINAL London United 2 v Unionville Strikers, CAN 3 (on penalty kicks)
The players put on a good show with lots of interest from university and college coaches. Congratulations to all.

MARKUS GAUSS SOCCER BUILDER

2004-12-22T08:59:00.000-05:00

TORONTO—Wednesday, December 22

A pioneer in soccer in Southwestern Ontario hits the three-quarter mark on Thursday.Markus (Max) Gauss, who brought the original London professional soccer franchise to the National Soccer League in 1969 to be one of the builders of soccer in that part of the province, and is the only president the London club has ever known, will be 75. The National Soccer League was launched in the lean and turbulent years of the 1920s yet it stood the test of time more than any other professional league in North America. The NSL is the forerunner of the Canadian National Soccer League and today’s Canadian Professional Soccer League. London City is a member of the CPSL and Markus’ son, Harry Paul Gauss, is its general manager.Markus Gauss was born of German parents at Filipovo in the former Yugoslavia on December 23, 1929. The Gauss family, Markus, his wife and two sons emigrated from Germany to Canada in 1958 and made their way from the arrival point in Montreal to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where they lived for six months before heading east and settling in Southwestern Ontario.Markus Gauss immediately saw the ideal amenities of the German-Canadian Club on Cove Road in London as perfect for a professional soccer franchise. Launched as London German Canadians, the team was a top draw at home and away, with most of the away games being at Stanley Park in Toronto’s west end where attendances of 6,000 to 8,000 were commonplace.London German Canadians and the more recent London City, founded on St. Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1973, have given professional soccer and The Cove a place of some prominence in Southwestern Ontario for more than 30 years and today the club is seen as the ideal soccer environment, a point at which talented youth can quickly gain the conditioning and toughness necessary for a chance at the big time.The Canadian Professional Soccer League salutes Markus Gauss this holiday season, for his vision in setting the stage many years ago. It is little wonder he is so often referred to as the godfather of professional soccer in this southwestern region of the province.

Another Munster appears bound for City

2004-12-13T19:23:00.000-05:00

Jim Kernaghan, Sports ColumnistThe London Free Press
2004-12-13

Look out, London, another Munster invasion could be coming.
Goal-scoring wizard Paul Munster, in the midst of an unheard-of vault into elite European soccer, hopes to introduce his younger brother Darren to London City fans in the coming season.
"I hope to be back in London to see Harry Gauss and the lads and I expect to have Darren with me," Munster said from his Belfast home, where preparations for a monster Munster party tomorrow are underway.
Paul Munster, for those who don't follow the round-ball game closely, is the kid who lit up the Canadian Professional Soccer League with a scoring genius never before witnessed. He scored 25 goals in 19 games for City and was signed by Slavia Praha of the top Czech Republic league in what has become a story overseas.
Gauss is almost giddy at the prospect of another Munster.
"He's an overlapping fullback with a left foot who can feed crosses from that side," the City manager said. "He's what we needed all last year. It would be incredible."
What's incredible is that history is repeating. Paul Munster was considered finished in competitive soccer three years ago due to a severe knee injury. His 19-year-old brother, with Crusaders of the Irish league, is recuperating from the same injury.
Paul made his comeback with City and regained the form that made him one of Ireland's top prospects. His exploits with City were passed to Slavia by ex-patriate Czechs here and after they looked at him overseas, they gave him a reported $100,000 signing bonus and a contract offer.
Munster has since become an intriguing story as the first player from the UK to play in the Czech Republic.
He says the attention has been dizzying. Along with media interest in Prague, there have been calls from Northern Ireland and England.
"It has been incredible," Munster said. "All the stuff on the Slavia website, television and newspaper interviews . . . it's hard to believe it's all happening. Three years ago, doctors told me I was finished."
Munster is at home in Belfast because in most cold-weather European countries outside England, Ireland and Scotland, play is suspended for two months. He'll return in January to prepare for a resumption of play in February.
When he arrived home Wednesday, flags and balloons adorned his parents' home.
"They've arranged a big party, with friends and family coming from as far away as Dublin," he said. "There'll be about 50, not counting me own friends. I told my dad he might have to put a tent up at the back of the house."
Munster has been in the Slavia first team three games, in action in one. He had a chance to score on what soccer folks call "a sitter" but missed.
"What happened was a pass came along the ground and it bounced up just as it got to me and went off my left calf," he said. "It was a sure score. The rest of the lads made sure I saw it later in slo-mo and that it was nothing to worry about, that I was off-side, anyway."
It did spark some debate on a fan website, with one Slavia fan suggesting he go back to Ireland and another coming to his defence rebutting the critic's understanding of soccer.
Munster also played in a reserve game, scoring a header into the top corner of the net.
"It's been kind of crazy -- all this recognition, playing in front of 20,000 people. After (the injury), this has been a dream."
Along with everything else, Munster even got to play in a fun hockey game with his soccer mates.
"I wouldn't call it playing," he said with a laugh. "Along with a Brazilian on the team, I'd never been on ice skates before."
Once on thin ice as a soccer player, though, he appears to be on solid ground.
And Harry Gauss can't wait to see his kid brother.

Paul Munster Winter break

2004-12-07T09:01:00.000-05:00

PAUL MUNSTER HEADS HOME FOR WINTER BREAK

Paul Munster, the London City striker, winner of the CPSL’s goalscoring title and Rookie of the Year in 2004, who signed for Slavia Prague of the Czech Republic on November 19 following a six-week trial, is heading home for the traditional two-month winter break taken by that country’s top league. Munster will be returning for training and preparation for the next league match scheduled against SK Sigma Olomouc on Saturday, February 26. The break follows what the club considers to be a highly satisfactory beginning for the Northern Ireland-born goalscorer who commented a few days ago on his stay at Slavia Prague, on the club Web site:“The team played well in the last five games with four wins and one draw, everyone was working hard and the atmosphere was super. I believe that we will be even better in the spring…. Our aim is to qualify for the European Cup…. The beginning was good and may teammates helped me a lot…. I also did well in training and while I still have a lot to learn, I am picking up the language.” Speaking of the game against Blsany, Munster said: “It was a valuable experience for me.”The 22 year old Munster played one reserve game since signing, a game in which he scored the opening goal in a 2-0 win on November 19.

Eva Havaris honoured

2004-12-02T07:44:00.000-05:00

Eva Havaris honoured at Women of Influence luncheon
Dec 2nd, 2004
by OUA

HAMILTON, ON – For the second straight year, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) will be honouring the top female scholar-athlete from each of the 18 member institutions at a luncheon Thursday, December 2 at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto. As part of the Women of Influence Luncheon Series, the OUA will be recognizing an outstanding young woman from each of the Ontario universities who have excelled both in academics and athletics this past year. Congratulating them on their accomplishments will be one of Canada’s most celebrated international athletes, Charmaine Crooks. The five-time Olympian will be the keynote speaker, addressing the anticipated 1,000 people in attendance on “Passion and Peak Performance”. Ms. Crooks, who came to Canada from Jamaica as a six-year old, is a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Currently, Ms. Crooks sits on the Board of Directors of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee. This past March, she was selected as one of the “Top 50 Women of Power” in Canada. CAAWS, Chatelaine, Bank of Montreal, Centaur Products, General Mills, Goodlife Fitness and Wilson Sports are proud sponsors of the second annual OUA Leaders of Tomorrow / Women of Influence Luncheon.
2004 OUA OUTSTANDING FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETES
Brock University - Sherri-Leigh Vervaeke – Soccer - Education Carleton University - Dasa Farthing – Basketball - Criminology/Law University of Guelph - Stephanie-Anne MacKenzie – Soccer - Biological Science Lakehead University - Tara Redpath - Nordic Skiing - Environmental Science/Biology Laurentian University - Tierney Hoo – Basketball - Human Kinetics McMaster University - Lulu Bursztyn – Wrestling - Engineering Nipissing University - Anna Marie Violo – Soccer - Sociology University of Ottawa - Marlies Phillion - Ice Hockey - Human Kinetics Queen’s University - Beth Wightman - Cross Country and Track and Field - Physical and Health Education Royal Military College - Jennifer Donofrio – Basketball - Engineering Ryerson University - Lauren Sally – Volleyball - Radio and Television University of Toronto – Philippa Kedgley - Field Hockey - Physical Education and Health Trent University - Sara Pieper – Rugby - Biology University of Waterloo - Jessa Jennings - Field/Indoor Hockey - Economics The University of Western Ontario - Eva Havaris – Soccer – Kinesiology Graduate Studies Wilfrid Laurier University - Julie Mitchell - Ice Hockey - Business University of Windsor - Valerie Hamel - Ice Hockey - Psychology York University – Helena Vander – Tennis - Kinesiology and Health Science

First Match for Paul Munster in Slavia

2004-11-21T08:56:00.000-05:00

21.11.2004

Saturday was a special day as regards Slavia history. Very probably the first ever footballer from Northern Ireland played in the red-white jersey. Paul Munster substituted in the 74th minute of the match. At the end he got into a good chance, missed, but the goal would not have stood anyway as he was offside. So he will have to wait for his first goal for the next time. Paul gave his first post-match interview to our website. We hope we managed to write down everything correctly, as Paul is learning Czech, we will have to get used to his Irish accent!Are you glad you played for the first time today? Yes I am. I had not a game for five or six weeks, that is why I am glad to get fifteen minutes on the pitch.You got into a very good chance at the end of the match... Yes, it was a very good chance there, the guys were saying I was offside, but I still should have scored. The surface was hard, I was trying to keep my balance. The other players came to you, what did they say? They all told me "You were offside, do not worry about it, you will score in the next game." Was the pitch really hard to play? I actually never played on snowy pitch. The conditions, I was not bothered, because in Ireland we also have cold weather, but the surface, I do not think I have ever played on such hard pitch. At the start when I walk in I was thinking I would get used to it, the others were playing. But later I was watching where I was running, I want to play games, not to get injured. But it was good, I am glad I got fifteen minutes of play. Can you compare the Canadian league to the Czech one? It is different, the Czech league is far better. Are there any foreign players in Canadian league? In our team we actually had a couple of ex-Portuguese players, there are some retired players from Europe, some players come to play for a three four months, when they are released from their contracts. In Canada it is not a bad standard, but the Czech league is the standard I wonna be at. I just need a couple of games and I feel better and chances like the one I had today will be going into the net. How do you communicate with the other players? I actually have some stuff with football vocabulary. "Vystrel" is shoot for example. Ty - is you, different things, I have only started learning the Czech language. It is not an easy one. It is actually "vystřel". Do the players make fun of you sometimes, when you try to pronounce something? Sometimes, but this does not bother me, they help me a lot. I help them with English, some guys want to learn some English. Do you like Prague? What do you do in your free time? I like it here, but you know at the moment I am just passing all the sights, my main concern is just football. I train hard, and I want to get into the team and get as much games as I can. In my free time I am trying to do some sightseeing though, because my friends from Ireland and friends from Canada want to come and visit me. Where are you living? I am actually living close to the stadium in an apartment. It just a couple of minutes to get to the training. Did you visit an Irish pub here? Not yet, but I will go, when my family and friends come over.

PAUL MUNSTER SIGNED BY SLAVIA PRAGUE

2004-11-20T16:52:00.000-05:00

London City striker Paul Munster in Prague

Paul Munster, the 22 year old striker from London City in the Canadian Professional Soccer League has been signed by Slavia Prague and will play his first game Saturday against Chmel Blsany F.C. in the Czech Republic’s top division. Munster, who is Northern Ireland-born and calls Kitchener, Ontario his home, has been in Prague for the past six weeks following his busy season in the CPSL where he ended the 2004 campaign as the league’s leading scorer with 25 goals, 10 more than the second place scorer.Slavia Prague is one of the top two teams in the Czech Republic, the other being Sparta Prague and both team have been busy in European Champions League competition over the years. Slavia Prague has produced top players Patrick Berger, Vladimir Smicer and Karel Poborsky, all signed by some of the top clubs in Europe.Munster suffered serious ligament damage in his right knee three years ago and was not expected to play serious soccer again until London City’s Harry Gauss took him into the reserve squad, then a quick move to the pro team where he was an instant hit.Fans considered Munster outstanding and Harry Gauss said he was ‘the Real Deal.’Slavia Prague coach Josef Csaplara was said to be pleased with Munster’s trials and had no hesitation in moving the Canadian striker straight into the first team.Gauss was instrumental in gaining official clearance from the Canadian Soccer Association for Munster to play on Saturday following some last minute hitches that held up the approvals.“But it has all been worth it, I’m delighted for Paul and I know he will do well,” said the London City general manager after working the telephones both sides of the Atlantic since the early hours of Friday morning.

LONDON SOCCER MERGER

2004-11-12T08:57:00.000-05:00

A TIME TO REJOICE

A soccer celebration of sorts took place recently at the Waltzing Weasel, an English style pub located at 1324 Adelaide Street North in London, Ontario.It was a moment of rejoice for good reason following the merger of professional soccer with a youth soccer club in one of the busiest pieces of soccer geography in southwestern Ontario, a place where young players abound.The Canadian Professional Soccer League’s London City are the pros and North London Soccer Club is one of the most successful youth soccer organizations in Canada and they have joined forces to create an environment and pipeline for special young players to move up and on if they are good enough to do so. These two organizations became a single entity during October and quickly struck a working agreement with a third to produce a development structure calculated to spell player development success as time goes by.Kensal Park is the other component, a 600-player house league that already has a close affiliation with the pro-London City and while the pro team is the focus of London City, in 2005 it will also have a team in the Premier Division of the Western Ontario Soccer League and eight youth squads. All of this means that with North London’s 28 teams the entire arrangement will allow a large number of young players the opportunity to keep climbing all the way to a professional soccer career at home or abroad.Player development is key and will take place at the youth level with Martin Painter, a coach with London Dynamite and player with Western Mustangs appointed technical director and it will be his job to see that special players become visible for London City’s Harry Gauss who will determine suitability for the pro game in Canada or elsewhere. Gauss has moved several players for trials overseas and currently has striker Paul Munster with Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic. In recent times, Gauss has sent young standout defender Tyler Hemming and midfielder Cameron Medwin to Grimsby Town of the English First Division as well as Scott Mueller, a goalkeeper, to Scottish First Division side, St. Mirren.Steve Brazier, president of North London had high praise for London City and Harry Gauss in explaining the merger recently. “We believe the merger is just what’s needed for North London at this juncture of the club’s history and I also think it is good for London City following the many years Harry has been working so hard to lay a foundation for professional soccer intended to accelerate development of the more promising young players, ” he said.North London has produced a number of talented players in the past and currently Michael Pereira, Todd Rutledge and Igor Kasic are with Canada’s under 17 squad in Mexico while former Shooting Stars’ player Kate Bazos is with Canada’s under 19 women in the FIFA World Championships now being played in Thailand.

3 DYNAMITE BOYS NAMED TO NATIONAL SQUAD

2004-11-08T10:22:00.000-05:00

Canada’s Junior Under-17 Team Head Coach Stephen Hart today announced an 18-player roster for a development camp and exhibition matches in Guadalajara, Mexico from November 9-20, 2004. We are proud to announce that 3 Dyanamite players Michael Pereira, Todd Rutledge and Igor Kasic have been named to the roster.

Men's Soccer strikes OUA gold

2004-11-07T10:29:00.000-05:00

Nov 7th, 2004
by Jeff Renaud

The Western Mustangs won gold Sunday at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) men’s soccer championship at the Brescia Fields in London, defeating the Toronto Varsity Blues 1-0 on penalty kicks. After 90 minutes of regulation and 30 additional minutes of overtime, the game finished in a 0-0 tie. During the penalty kicks, Western goalkeeper Haidar Al-Shaibani (London) stopped two attempts to lead the Mustangs to their second OUA men’s soccer championship in as many years. Fourth-year Martin Painter (London) scored the eventual game winner for the Mustangs on Luciano Lombardi (Scarborough), who stopped only one during penalty kicks. Both the Mustangs and the Varsity Blues will represent the OUA at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) men’s soccer championship next weekend in Montreal, as both OUA finalists qualify for the competition. Following the championship game, the OUA Final Four All-Tournament Team was announced and included: Martin Painter S Western Adam Legg D Western Matthew Pittman D Western Gentjan Dervishi M Western Haidar Al-Shaibani G Western Faiz Karim D Toronto Kern Juman F Toronto Sean Myers F Toronto Mark Bennett S Brock Marco Peters D Brock Thang Nguyen M Carleton Drew Dailey D Carleton Earlier in the day, the Brock Badgers won bronze by knocking off the Carleton Ravens 2-0. Western student-athletes, known for their traditional purple and white, were sporting gold this weekend as the women’s soccer team won OUA gold in Kingston, the women’s rugby team collected CIS gold in Halifax, both earlier today while the men’s rugby team rounded out the OUA soccer and rugby sweep yesterday while winning OUA gold in London.

Bend It Like Bonasia

2004-11-02T07:47:00.000-05:00

Londoner wins OUA East/West Player of the Year and joins four teammates and coach on soccer all-star squad
Nov 2nd, 2004
by Claire Baillie

Hamilton – With the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Women’s Soccer Championship set for this upcoming weekend at Queen’s University, the league is pleased to announce the 2004 all-stars and major award winners as selected by the coaches. 2001 OUA and CIS Rookie of the Year Cristina Bonasia from The University of Western Ontario Mustangs was named the OUA East/West Player of the Year as she helped lead the Mustangs to a number one ranking in the country and an undefeated 10-0-1 regular season record. Bonasia was second in scoring for Western, scoring eight goals on the season. Four-time OUA all-star and former all-Canadian Ciara Gaizutis from the York University Lions received the OUA North/South Player of the Year in her fifth and final season of her storied OUA career. The fifth-year defender was a major piece of the Lions successful year in which they lost just one regular season game and allowed just four goals in 11 games. Leading the league in scoring in just her first year of OUA competition, the University of Ottawa’s Ramata Coulibaly was recognized as the OUA East/West Rookie of the Year. Coulibaly netted 12 goals in 12 games, including a pair in her second league game. From the North/South Division, Ashley DePalma from the York Lions was honoured as Rookie of the Year. DePalma led the Toronto school with eight goals during their North division regular season title. The two Coaches of the Year will battle it out in this weekend’s second semi-final when Rob Gallo and his Laurentian University Voyageurs attempt to become the first team this season to defeat Mike Van Bussel and the top ranked Western Mustangs. Gallo, who was also honoured in 2002, leads the Sudbury squad to their first ever OUA Final Four. Van Bussel, last year’s OUA North/West Coach of the Year repeated the honour as he looks to give the Mustangs their first OUA women’s soccer title since 1998. The OUA Women’s Soccer Final Four starts Saturday at Queen’s University in Kingston.
The schedule is as follows: November 6, 2004 SEMI-FINALS 12:00 pm - Toronto vs. Queen's 2:00 pm - Laurentian vs. Western November 7, 2004 BRONZE MEDAL - 1:00 pm GOLD MEDAL – 1:30 pm
MAJOR AWARDS
EAST / WEST DIVISION Player of the Year Cristina Bonasia Western Rookie of the Year Ramata Coulibaly Ottawa Coach of the Year Mike Van Bussel Western
NORTH / SOUTH DIVISION Player of the Year Ciara Gaizutis York Rookie of the Year Ashley DePalma York Coach of the Year Rob Gallo Laurentian
NORTH / SOUTH DIVISION FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL
Ciara Gaizutis Defender York Donna Carvalhal Defender Toronto Ashleigh Dolbaczuk Midfield Toronto Melanie Hol Midfield Brock Nancy Hill Midfield Guelph Cara Smith Defender Laurentian Ashley DePalma Midfield York Kristy de Vries Midfield York Sandra Hill Defender McMaster Lauren Karst Midfield Toronto Andrea Tristo Goalkeeper Toronto
SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL
Karla Winters Striker Brock Stephanie Muldoon Midfield Nipissing Loretta DeThomasis Defender Toronto Emily Robson Midfield Guelph Michelle Edgar Midfield Brock Erin Osborne Defender Toronto Natasha Jacinto Defender York Kathryn Matheson Sweeper Guelph Nicole Peckham Midfield Guelph Laura Shoots Striker McMaster Tiffany Scriver * Goalkeeper Brock Anna Violo * Goalkeeper Nipissing * - denotes a tie
EAST / WEST DIVISION FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL
Cristina Bonasia Striker Western Melissa Abraham Defender Ottawa Diana Burmester Midfield Carleton Eilish McConville Striker Queen’s Allison Oosteruis Midfield Western Anna Singer Midfield Queens Ramata Coulibaly Striker Ottawa Sarah Barradas Striker Queen’s Dominik Bertrand Striker Ottawa Kate Crowley Midfield Western Kate Chambers Goalkeeper Queen’s SECOND TEAM
PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL
Arden Jobling Defender Ottawa Stacy Siopis Defender Carleton Tory Westbrook Striker Waterloo Nicole Grinstead Midfield Waterloo Jenny Bryne Midfield Western Kristy Elinsky Defender Laurier Libby Starnes Midfield Carleton Ashley Barrett Midfield Queen’s Stacy Warren Midfield Ottawa Jenn Kitching Defender Laurier Jessy Kapitany Goalkeeper Western

WOSL Past Champions

2004-11-01T23:46:00.000-05:00

National Soccer League
Champions
1985 London Marconi
Western Ontario Soccer League
Champions Runners-up
2004 London Portuguese Benfica
2003 AEK Olympics London Portuguese
2002 London Portuguese London Bosnia
2001 London Portuguese London Marconi
2000 London Portuguese Strathroy Port. Can.
1999 London Portuguese London Benfica
1998 London Croatia London Benfica
1997 London Portuguese London Benfica
1996 London Portuguese Sarnia Bluewater
1995 London Portuguese London City
1994 Sarnia Bluewater St. Thomas
1993 London Portuguese St. Thomas
1992 White Eagles St. Thomas
1991 White Eagles St. Thomas
1990 White Eagles Panhellenic
1989 White Eagles Sarnia Bluewater
1988 Sarnia Bluewater St. Thomas
Lower Divisions
First Second Third U21
2004 White Eagles Hispanos Benfica Sarnia
First Second Third
2003 Croatia Ingersoll Hispanos
2002 Bluewater St. Columban Curinga
2001 Porto L.Portuguese B Woodstock
2000 AEK London Simcoe Thunder L.Portuguese B
Third
First Second East West
1999 Chatham Exp Serbs Simcoe Nairn
1998 Forest Utd Exeter Cent. Ingersoll Serbs
Second
First Central East West
1997 Croatia Marconi B Bosnia Forest Utd
1996 Benfica St Columban Latinos Bluewater B
1995 St Thomas Benfica Tillsonburg Petrolia
1994 Dante Curinga Tillsonburg Chatham E
1993 London City Curinga Panhellenic Chatham
Second
First East West
1992 Hungarians St. Thomas Dante
1991 Scottish Croatia St Columban
1990 London City Ingersoll Wallaceburg
1989 German Can. Simcoe Lusos Strathroy
First Second
East West East West
1988 Panhellenic Curinga Taxandria Simcoe Lusos
Forest City Challenge Cup
Premier First Second Third
2000 Portuguese AEK Simcoe Tillsonburg
1999 Portuguese ChathamC Serbs WEagles/SPC
1998 Croatia Forest U Porto Croatia/Germans
Premier First Second
1997 Portuguese Croatia Marconi/Bosnia/Forest U
1996 St Thomas Croatia St.Columban/Latinos/Bluewater
1995 Portuguese St.Thomas Benfica/Ingersoll/Petrolia
1994 Bluewater Pahellenic Curinga/Tillsonburg/Petrolia
1993 St Thomas no winner Alianza/Panhellenic/Petrolia
1992 White Eagles Marconi St.Thomas/Dante
1991 St.Thomas Scottish St.Thomas
1990 White Eagles City Portuguese
1989 White Eagles St.Thomas Simcoe Lusos

North London to merge with London City

2004-10-30T10:21:00.000-04:00

RYAN PYETTE, Free Press Sports Reporter
2004-10-30 02:48:17

JOINING FORCES: "It's going to be much like the Junior Knights and the London Knights (of the OHL)." North London president Steve Brazier The local minor soccer landscape is going to look a lot different next summer.
The successful North London soccer club, which has produced the city's past two national champion youth squads, has merged with Harry Gauss's London City outfit to create an organization that will administer the game from the youngest amateur to the most grizzled pro.
At its most basic level, the move means North London's strong stable of high-calibre competitive teams will now fall into the City structure.
North London has 28 teams while Gauss's City has a Canadian Professional Soccer League entry, a Western Ontario Soccer League premier division squad, plus eight youth teams. There is talk of a City women's pro team on the horizon.
"It's going to happen," Gauss said. "There will be a women's CPSL next year."
The 2005 outdoor season will be considered a transition period but by 2006, North London teams such as the Canadian under-14 girls' club champion Supernova will trade its white-and-blue soccer gear for City's red-black-and-white kits.
"It made a lot of sense to combine the synergies of the two clubs," North London president Steve Brazier said. "There's one local pro men's team in town and why not join forces? It creates a pipeline for our players to the highest level."
The North London club will continue to exist but only as a select house league program for under-seven to under-nine boys and girls. London Dynamite coach Martin Painter will be oversee development as technical director.
"I like that they're stressing the development side of things, that was very important to me," Gauss said. "Winning is great but it's a byproduct of learned skills. Martin Painter is a good, young coach and I'm happy to see him involved."
Six years ago, North London surrendered its North East house league program and approximately 1,500 players to the Nor' West Optimists. When clubs such as Nor' West and Byron started enrolling teams in the intermediate and premier divisions of the London and District Youth Soccer League, North London knew it had to make changes or risk becoming irrelevant.
This merger has the potential to create a scenario similar to London's AAA minor hockey system. Many of the new City teams will play in the competitive Ontario Youth Soccer League and South Region circuit.
"It's going to be much like the Junior Knights and the London Knights (of the Ontario Hockey League)," Brazier said. "We still feel our main competition will be from a club like London United. Maybe more clubs will try this sort of setup, we don't know. This arrangement gives us the opportunity to draw players from all over the city."
Kensal Park, a house league with about 600 players, has an already-existing relationship with London City but won't officially fall under the new organization's umbrella.
The City marriage was approved at North London's annual general meeting on Oct. 19 and has been supported by the Elgin-Middlesex Soccer Association.
The three groups -- CPSL, youth, house league -- will continue to run their own financial affairs and have separate budgets.

KATE BAZOS MAKES WORLD CUP SQUAD

2004-10-22T10:25:00.000-04:00

Former North London player, Kate Bazos has been selected to the Under 19 National Womens team that will play in the FIFA Under-19 Women’s World Championship from November 10-27, 2004 in Thailand. Kate began playing with North London in 1997 and was a member of the Shooting Stars team that won Ontario Cup and Nationals in 2000 as well as Ontario Cup in 2002.

SUPERNOVA ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

2004-10-20T10:27:00.000-04:00

The North London Supernova are the Canadian U14 National Club Champions after a thrilling 2-1 final win over Calgary. In cool morning conditions it was Calgary who came out stronger and they went ahead after 20 minutes. After halftime the Supernova increased the tempo and their intensity level and deservedly equalized on a Carolyne Prevost goal midway through the half. Although they had good chances - Natalie McCabe heading just over the bar after a brilliantly worked cross from Sara Palermo, Carolyne Prevost narrowly missing on a feed from Devon Beach - the score remained tied at the end of regulation time. In the first half of extra time the Supernova continued to take the game to Calgary, winning a corner that Celina Lin sent in perfectly for McCabe to push across to Jessica Trejo who pounded the ball into the net for a memorable Supernova victory that brought a dream season to conclusion

5 LONDON PLAYERS NAMED TO TEAM ONTARIO

2004-10-20T10:23:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to the following 5 Supernova and former London United Hurricanes players, Rachel Wannek, Jessica Parry, Mallory Marcoccia, Alex Craig and Kayli McGuffin. All 5 have been selected to the thirty player U14 Team Ontario roster. Once their winter training has concluded with Team Ontario these 5 talented young players will join forces with the Supernova 91 squad as they prepare for the 2005 outdoor season.

WOSL Top Goal Scorers 2004

2004-10-17T23:33:00.000-04:00

Premier Division

R. San
London Portuguese
14

E. Isovic
Bosnia
11

A. Hirmiz
London Portuguese
10

V. Ramos
Benfica
10

First Division

M. Szydlowski
White Eagles
22

D. Medeiros
Scottish
12

D. Kirlic
Serbs
12

A. Majcher
White Eagles
11

K. Mc Carthy
Simcoe
10

R. Marques
Simcoe
10

Second Division

M.Debruyn
Exeter
30

A. Ponce
Hispanos
18

D. Circelli
Curinga
12

S. Veliz
Hispanos
11

C. Garces
Hispanos
10

E. Fuentes
America
10

Third Division

M. St. Louis
Strathroy
17

P. Ribeiro
Benfica
13

X. Rodrigues
Simcoe
12

C. Shoely
Taxandria
11

R. Slowakiewicz
White Eagles
11

U-21 Division

E. Campling
Norwest
21

Munster passed over as MVP

2004-10-14T19:03:00.000-04:00

Ryan PyetteThe London Free Press
2004-10-14

Star striker Paul Munster scored plenty of hat tricks on the field this summer, but he couldn't bag another three at the Canadian Professional Soccer League awards banquet last weekend.
The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland, who racked up an eye-popping 25 goals for London City, was named the league's top scorer and rookie of the year but was passed over for the CPSL's biggest prize -- most valuable player.
The league MVP went to Toronto Supra midfielder and former Portuguese pro player Danny Amaral, who finished second in scoring, 10 goals behind Munster.
Each team in the league nominates an individual for major awards and then one representative from each team casts a vote. The only hitch is the rep can't vote for his own player.
"It's petty jealousies. There's no credible reason why Munster shouldn't have won the MVP," said City head coach and GM Harry Gauss.
"Why can't you give a deserving player all three awards?
"I guess it comes down to whether you're picking the best player in the league or a good player on a great team. Munster's biggest fault is he doesn't play defence and goalkeeper, too.
"I never thought I would have to start lobbying for these awards, but it looks like that's how it's going to be."
Munster's City team missed the playoffs with a 7-10-3 record while Toronto Supra won the Eastern Conference title with a 14-2-4 record.
"He scored 25 of (City's 35 goals). You don't get much more valuable than that," Gauss said.
Amaral scored 15 times for a team that scored 49 goals this season.
Chances are Munster isn't too worried about the slight -- he's currently on a three-week tryout with Czech pro league power Slavia Prague. The Belfast native, who was working at a soccer centre in Kitchener, suffered a knee injury two years ago and came to City this summer as part of a pro comeback bid.
Other CPSL winners included Windsor Border Stars' Justin Marshall (top defender), Toronto Croatia's George Azcurra (top keeper), Windsor's Pat Hilton (coach of the year) and Amato De Luca (top official).
Toronto Croatia won the playoff title on Monday with a 4-0 win over the Vaughan Shooters in Brampton.

CPSL Awards

2004-10-11T09:20:00.000-04:00

SUPRA'S DANNY AMARAL WINS MVP

Danny Amaral, the veteran former pro in Portugal who now plays an attacking midfielder role and is captain of Eastern Conference winner Toronto Supra, has been voted by the member clubs the 2004 Most Valuable Player in the Canadian Professional Soccer League.But most of the cheers at the CPSL’s Annual Awards Night on Saturday night went to a player not present at the elegant La Contessa Hall in Toronto, and he’s not even in the country. Paul Munster, a 22 year old Northern Ireland-born striker playing for London City and presently on trial with Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic, won two awards-- the goalscoring title with 25 goals (London City scored 40 league and cup goals during its entire campaign) and the Rookie of the Year award. He was also one of those nominated for the MVP.Munster was making a return to professional soccer following a serious injury that almost ended his career.In all, there were seven individual awards handed out over the weekend, and seven teams were also honoured for various achievements during 2004.MORE WINNERS………………. Justin Marshall of Border Stars, a standout with Wright State University who previously played for Windsor Croatia, won the Defender of the Year award and George Azcurra the outstanding ‘keeper with Toronto Croatia and a multiple winner of this award, was again named Goalkeeper of the Year.Pat Hilton, a former pro in England who took Border Stars in its inaugural year to an Open Canada Cup victory and a third-place finish in the Western Conference standings, was voted the CPSL’s Coach of the Year.Toronto Supra was honoured for winning the Eastern Conference title and Metro Lions for the runner-up position. Hamilton Thunder won the Western Conference for the second year in succession and Toronto Croatia’s late season rally gave them the runner-up spot in the west.Durham Storm, in its inaugural season in the CPSL won the Fair Play Award for the best discipline record in 2004.Amato De Luca was named Referee of the Year and special awards were given to referees Stephanie DeHaan of Kitchener, Deb O'Hara of Elmira, Lisa McNeil and Tamara Reitsma, both from Guelph, for their contribution to the increasing presence of female game officials in professional soccer.Bruno Ierullo of North York Astros was presented the President’s Award and Enio Perruzza was given a special award for his contribution to the CPSL as ‘the voice of the CPSL’ during games in 2004.Vaughan Shooters and Toronto Croatia meet in the CPSL Championship Final on Thanksgiving Day Monday, a finale to the seventh season of the Canadian Professional Soccer League.

Indoor soccer scores winter site

2004-10-07T23:25:00.000-04:00

Ryan PyetteThe London Free Press
2004-10-07

SOCCER BUFFS: Albert Choy and Tom Partalas, both of Southwestern Optimist, Cam Vassallo of the London District Youth Soccer League, Fred Benenati of Southwest Optimist and Mark Dwyer of Nothwest Optimist rally at the old Soccer Magic indoor soccer field yesterday.

After weeks of uncertainty, it looks as if London's indoor soccer players will finally have a roof over their heads this winter.
A small, non-profit, volunteer group of soccer organizers has pieced together a deal to put a dome back up at the site of the former Soccer World complex in east London near the airport. The group includes members of the Southwest Optimists, the Nor'West Optimists and the London and District Youth Soccer League under an umbrella partnership called London Optimist Indoor Soccer Inc.
"There will be indoor soccer this year -- it's a win-win situation for players, parents and coaches," longtime minor soccer volunteer Tom Partalas said. "Any money that's made will go back to the kids and back into improving the facility. We're going to keep the hourly rental rates as low as possible. All we're asking is that local soccer players support it and the ones who love the sport will do that."
There had been indoor soccer discussions with representatives of Western Fair and the former London Ice House, but those talks failed to produce a workable agreement, leading to a last-ditch effort to secure the Soccer Dome site.
The dome is expected to be active for more than 100 hours a week with LDYSL competitive and recreational games, plus interested adult teams. Indoor soccer, like the outdoor game, is growing at a quick pace with more than 2,000 youth players in London.
Initial registration will take place on Tuesday from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Southwest Optimist complex on Southdale Road. The plan is to start the indoor season on the final weekend of this month and run to the middle of April. The dome is expected to arrive in the next two weeks.
"Our biggest asset is always our volunteers, that's how this thing is going to work,"said organizer Fred Benenati. "We wanted to provide the kids with a place to play and this gives us that opportunity."
The group hopes to make the site a long-term winner and eventually work a deal to buy the land. Previous private business attempts at the indoor dome have not worked out well, leading to a long line of owners, managers and names: Soccer Magic, Soccer World, Forest City Soccer Dome.
There isn't a name for this version of the facility yet, although London Soccer Dome has been mentioned.
"There have been others in the past but they were private groups and they had their own reasons for closing the soccer dome," Partalas said.
"We're non-profit, there's nothing in it for us. But something that hadn't happened before is that we're local, we're all involved in the soccer community, people know us here.
"We'll all work together here for the benefit of soccer."
There is no telling how the delay in resolving the local indoor soccer issue will affect registration. London United executive member Aldo Caranci said the uncertainty was one reason his organization's fall outdoor league was unable to attract more teams.
"A lot of coaches said they were waiting to see what happened with indoor," Caranci said. "They couldn't commit to us and we had to pull it for this year."
There is also a question on the value of indoor soccer. Some coaches prefer their competitive players spend the offseason away from the sport and far from the risk of injury.
But London Supernova head coach Geoff Painter said: "It's good that indoor is available -- I think there's utility in indoor at the younger ages and for the older recreational players who want to get together once a week and play soccer."

CPSL ANNUAL AWARDS SATURDAY

2004-10-07T09:03:00.000-04:00

The Canadian Professional Soccer League will parade its best this Saturday when teams honour individuals in seven categories at the 2004 Annual Awards Banquet.These players, a coach and a referee, are all considered to have contributed more than anyone else to the success of a club, or the league as a whole.The Most Valuable Player is considered to be the most coveted award in all sports, and pro soccer in the CPSL is no exception, with players from 10 of the 11 clubs having been nominated. The league will also announce winners in the defender category, the rookie of the year, its top goalkeeper, its best coach and probably the only time of the year a referee has an opportunity to be voted a winner and receive a tribute from the professional soccer community of players and club officials.And while the entire honours list will be revealed and the individual winners celebrated at the La Contessa Banquet Centre in North York on Saturday, one category has already been announced. It’s that of Paul Munster, a striker from London City who captured the goalscoring title with 25 goals in league and cup play—that’s more than a goal a game for the 22 year old Northern Ireland-born, who is attracting interest from clubs in Europe with trials already booked in the Czech Republic.

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF NOMINEES…..

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Jeff Hodgson – Border Stars
Paul Munster – London City
Matthew Palleschi – Vaughan Shooters
George Azcurra – Toronto Croatia
Zeljko Dukic – Hamilton Thunder
Sean Roberts – Brampton Hitmen
Kurt Ramsey – North York Astros
Carlo Arghittu – St. Catharines Roma Wolves
Caswain Mason – Metro Lions
Danny Amaral – Toronto Supra

DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Justin Marshall – Border Stars
Marco Peeters – London City
Jorge Molina – Vaughan Shooters
Antonio Zupan – Toronto Croatia
Blazenko Bekavac – Hamilton Thunder
Bayete Smith – Brampton Hitmen
Kurt Ramsey – North York Astros
Joe Carbonara –- St. Catharines Roma Wolves
Chris Handsor --Metro Lions
Garvin Houston – Toronto Supra

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Anthony Santilli – Border Stars
Haider Al-Shaibani – London City
Brian Bowes – Vaughan Shooters
George Azcurra – Toronto Croatia
Roberto Ferrari – Hamilton Thunder
Arthur Zaslavski – North York Astros
Michael Silva – Toronto Supra

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Aaron Byrd – Border Stars
Paul Munster – London City
Fitzroy Christie – Vaughan Shooters
Joseph Cosentino – Toronto Croatia
Alex Arbelo – Hamilton Thunder
Angel Velasquez – Brampton Hitmen
Alex Braletic – North York Astros
Anthony Stranges – St. Catharines Roma Wolves
Marc Jankovic-- Metro Lions
Jose Moreira – Toronto Supra

COACH OF THE YEAR
Pat Hilton – Border Stars
Sam Medeiros – Vaughan Shooters
Josip Cvitanovic – Toronto Croatia
Jorge Armua – Hamilton Thunder
Pernel Mason – Brampton Hitmen
Vittorio Villacis – North York Astros
Velimir Crljen – Toronto Croatia
Jose Testas -- Toronto Supra

Cyclones Win 2004 U12 Girls Ontario Cup

2004-09-25T22:48:00.000-04:00

The London United Cyclone finished off a successful 2004 soccer season with a victory in the U12 Ontario Cup competition. The Cyclone become only the second London United team to win and Ontario Cup title. The Cyclone advanced with 4 victories in the First Round in Sault Ste. Marie to move to a quarter final match with a tough Kitchener team in the quarter finals and a 2-1 win. The semi final was a 2-0 win over fellow London entry, the Flash. The final saw the Cyclone play fellow SRSL team North Mississauga. The game ended 1-0 in a hotly contested final. The Cyclone finished their Ontario Cup tournament with 19 goals for and only 1 against.
The Cyclone team was formed as a U9 team and has been progressing ever since. The 2004 team is coached by Frank Sauer, assisted by John Howell-Harries and Jon Mihalopulos, manager Laurie Kornmuller and trainer Tara Charlebois.
The 2004 team is: Kate WortonDaniella StranoAngelika MihalopulosMelissa MazzoratoStephanie ClarkeAlex CharleboisEmily TustinGrace Howell-HarriesBrittany Fazio-FosterKarina DeFreitasAnna KornmullerKayla ZakrzewskiAlly CrichCate BoydNicole SauerSabrina Sa
The Cyclone would also like to acknowledge the tremendous effort of 3 other girls/womens teams who competed in the Ontario Cup finals. The U13 Hurricane, U18 and women's teams who all competed well representing the club in final games.
If you would like more information about the Cyclone team their web address is www.eteamz.com/londonunited92s

City needs miracle to reach playoffs

2004-09-22T19:01:00.000-04:00

Ryan Pyette, Sports ReporterThe London Free Press
2004-09-22

After spending the first half of the season battling for top spot in the Canadian Professional Soccer League's Western Conference, London City now needs a miracle just to make the playoffs.
Mired in a seven-game winless drought dating back to Aug. 6, City (6-9-3) has to win its final two regular-season games by big scores and hope the third-place Windsor-Detroit Border Stars (8-7-3) get blown out in their final two games.
The Border Stars are up six points on City for the final playoff spot. If they end up tied, the tie-breaker goes to goal differential.
City is minus-10 and the Stars are plus-three.
"It's the City way. It's never easy," said City general manager and head coach Harry Gauss. "But if we don't make the playoffs, it's because of a lack of character and selfishness in the players."
Gauss wouldn't identify any examples of jealousy and egotism in his ranks, but he said there have been small things he has noticed throughout the year that have contributed to a "me-first" attitude among some members of his squad.
"That's not how we operate," he said. "I'm going to find the ones with character -- even if I have to go through a million players."
City clearly misses the leadership of selfless midfielder Tonino Commisso, who retired a few weeks ago after a rash of concussions.
"There's a guy who never played his natural position (striker) with City, but he did what was best for the team and never said a word," Gauss said.
City has net-bulging Northern Ireland native Paul Munster, who has scored 20 of the team's 29 goals, for the rest of this season. Still, the losing continues.
"Paul's the greatest thing since sliced bread and a consummate team player," Gauss said. "He will be the top scorer and he should be the league MVP and rookie of the year, too. No one's ever won all three in this league."
On Sunday (Sept. 19), Munster scored what looked like the winning goal early, but Croatia was handed a controversial penalty kick in the 91st minute to tie it and got the winner late in injury time.
Right before the penalty shot, Gauss changed goalies, subbing Mark Fernandes out for forward Erik Elmauer, who had stopped two penalties last week against Benfica to help City's Western Ontario Soccer League club reach the upcoming Premier Cup final against AEK London.
Croatia still scored.
"I felt sorry for the guys. They played well enough to win," Gauss said. "That and the tie (1-1 with lowly Durham, who dressed six players from talented amateur side G.S. United) has us in this position. But we're not dead yet."
City continues its month-long road trip tomorrow (Sept. 23) against Toronto Supra (12-1-4) and closes with the Brampton Hitmen (7-6-5) on Wednesday (Sept. 29). The Border Stars, coached and co-owned by former City player Jeff Hodgson, end with road games against the struggling North York Astros and powerful Vaughan Shooters.
One thing's certain. City won't finish in last place for the third consecutive year.

London Portuguese cup hopes shut down

2004-09-20T23:25:00.000-04:00

By RYAN PYETTE -- London Free Press

VAUGHAN -- London Portuguese can kiss Anne of Green Gables goodbye. The powerhouse men's soccer team stumbled one game from a trip to the national club championships in Charlottetown, P.E.I., with a surprising 3-0 loss to the Ottawa Royals in the Ontario Cup tle game last night at the Ontario Soccer Centre.
It's the third time since 1998 Portuguese has lost in the final. They won in 2002 and were trying to become just the second London team to claim two men's Cup crowns (London Marconi won in 1966 and 1978).
"It's disappointing, it wasn't our day but we're going to hold our heads up high," said London keeper Paul Azevedo. "We've lost this thing three times, but there's got to be something said for getting to the finals year after year. We're in it all the time and we'll be back next year to give it another shot."
The spirited Ottawa side, which carried much of the play, got goals in the 43rd minute from Dan Cheney, the 47th from Sylvain Clouthier and the capper in the 87th from Roland Tiamuh.
The Portuguese players couldn't recall the last time they were shut out.
It didn't help that veteran striker Andrew Loague injured his left leg in a collision with teammate Mike Delgado just three minutes in.
Loague limped around while play resumed but was forced to leave at the seven-minute mark. The talented Delgado also left for a lengthy spell after being kicked in the face while sliding for a loose ball.
"I've never felt such pain," said Loague, 34. "It's my ankle and my knee. I would've played injured and I did everything I could to stay in there, but there was no way. I wanted to give it a shot at halftime but I took a pass on the sidelines and it was a sharp jolt and I knew that was it."
The injury allowed Ottawa to better mark London's remaining goal-kicker Ree San. Genti Buzali, Loague's natural replacement, was well across the Atlantic Ocean on a pre-planned trip to Albania to visit his parents.
"Loague getting hurt -- that was our worst nightmare," said head coach Carlos Miranda said. "I had to throw (midfielder) Alan Hirmiz, who's one of our best up-and-down (the field) guys, up front. He did a good job but it took him away from what he does best in the midfield. I knew in the first 10 minutes it wasn't our day, we looked nervous. Ottawa played superb, they beat us to every possible ball and we just didn't match them, simple as that."
Ottawa did have one advantage over Portuguese -- a core group of the players won last year's title with Kanata Soccer Post and had experience on the Soccer Centre's FIFA approved artificial FieldTurf.
"This is a great facility and we're not trying to make excuses, but soccer should be played on grass," Miranda said. "Our guys hadn't been on the surface before and never really got used to it."
On a whole, it was one of the worst Cup final weekends for London. All four local teams lost their finals and failing to score a goal. The Under-13 girls London United Hurricanes lost 1-0 to Burlington on penalty kicks.
Over the two weekends, London sent eight teams to Cup finals and had two champions: the London Supernova Under-14 girls and the London United Under-12 girls. The Supernova advance to the national championships in October at the Soccer Centre.
OTTAWA 3
PORTUGUESE 0

SUPERNOVA WIN ONTARIO CUP

2004-09-20T10:30:00.000-04:00

The Supernova won the Ontario Cup Final 1-0 over North Mississauga on a golden goal from Katelyn De Putter in the first half of extra time. The Supernova now advance to the Canadian National Championships to be held in Toronto from October 7-11th

Commisso ready to hang up boots

2004-09-14T18:59:00.000-04:00

A possible seventh concussion makes retiring after 13 years an easier decision.
Ryan Pyette, Sports ReporterThe London Free Press
2004-09-14

"I learned that City isn't about politics, I got my fair crack and 13 years later, here I am." -- Tonino Commisso London City captain Tonino Commisso is ready to call it a soccer career.
The 31-year-old midfielder and Woodstock native figured he suffered his seventh concussion in City's 2-1 loss to the Metro Lions Sept. 3 in the Open Canada Cup wild-card game at Cove Road field. Commisso scored City's goal on a superb header, but said he woke up the next day with familiar symptoms and decided it was time to retire from the Canadian Professional Soccer League.
"I don't know if I got elbowed or what, but I had a sore jaw and I was groggy, which was how I felt with the other concussions," he said. "Seven is enough. If I was dragged off the field injured, I might have some regrets. But the way it went, I thought the team played well and to score a goal in my last game, I think it's a fitting way to end it."
Commisso, a small but scrappy leader, was a fixture with City for 13 years. He had contemplated retiring after London won last season's Canada Cup -- an achievement he calls his favourite City moment -- but decided to give it one more try.
London, which now has to fill a gaping hole in central midfield, lost 4-1 to Hamilton Thursday in its first post-Commisso game. City also lost 4-1 to Border Stars Saturday.
"I'm proud of how long I was able to play at this level," Commisso said. "I'm not a big guy (he's around 5-foot-8), but I had to battle guys who are six-foot-two, 200 pounds every game. The CPSL is certainly the best calibre of soccer in Ontario. I've often thought of playing at a lower level, but the game was always too slow. This is where I always wanted to play."
Retirement now gives Commisso the chance to devote 13-hour days to his hair-styling business -- the Wellington Hair Studio in Woodstock.
"It means I don't have to drive in for practice or games any more, that's tough when you're trying to run a business," the Beachville resident said. "But I'm going to follow these guys closely and I think it's time to give something back to the game through coaching."
Commisso currently coaches a minor soccer team in Woodstock and has already been named the coach of the new City women's team whenever the CPSL gets its pro women's league running.
When Commisso started out as a teenager with City, he had been a striker just returned from a stint playing for a team in Calabria, Italy..
"When I met (City general manager and coach Harry Gauss), I didn't want to get involved in the politics of soccer at all," Commisso said. "In my first interview, Harry asked me what I wanted and I said, 'Just a fair crack.' I learned that City isn't about politics, I got my fair crack and 13 years later, here I am."
It's going to be a busy year for Commisso -- he's engaged to be married next August.
But he said you can still expect to see him, once in a while, in the stands at the Cove having a beer with old teammate Luan Jonuzi and cheering on his old squad.

Hungarians mark soccer heritage

2004-09-14T13:49:00.000-04:00

RYAN PYETTE, Free Press Sports Reporter
2004-09-14 02:26:04

Almost every room in Louis Olcsvary's home has an interesting piece of London soccer history in it. You can say the same about the pages in John Sandor's scrapbook.
It's been 45 years since a group of Hungarian immigrants settled in London and kick-started what has become one of the city's longest continuously operated soccer clubs.
Many fond memories are sure to flood back when the London Hungarian Canadians soccer organization celebrates those 45 years with an all-day kick-fest on Sunday, Sept. 26, at the White Eagles Club in Nilestown.
If you know Olcsvary, you know everyone -- young or old, Hungarian or not -- is welcome to attend.
"We're proud of our Hungarian heritage, but it's a small part -- we're Canadian first," the 67-year-old organizer said. "It's going to be a great day and a soccer celebration of youth right up to the older guys."
There's also plenty of food, drinks, a pig roast, a disco with DJ Energy (Steve Torok) and the famous London Hungarian Pantlika Dance Group.
The event would be held at the London Hungarian Canadian club, except there physically isn't one. That's one reason why many old soccer trophies and artifacts are at Olcsvary's house.
For the last 15 years, the pulse of the Hungarian club has been kept alive in the hearts of its membership while its Western Ontario Soccer League premier division squad is run diligently by the generous wallets of a handful of backers. There is talk of the club taking over a former cricket field currently overseen by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority.
"Back when we started, the soccer team was the backbone of the Hungarian club," said Sandor, a converted cyclist who played for the original 1959 Hungarians soccer side and later became a member of the great Marconi Club men's outfit that captured London's first Ontario Cup title in 1966. "The original Hungarian meeting place was at the corner of Richmond and York streets. On any day, that's where you'd find everyone. The soccer team was very close and did everything together. It's different now there isn't a building to house the club but the team and club continues."
In their first year, the Hungarians played many games at Silverwood park in the London and District's second division. Sandor said the team jumped to the first division in 1960. The golden years for the club arrived in the 1980s, including a trip to the World Youth Cup tournament in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The 2004 WOSL premier division team plays its home games on Cove Road field at the German Canadian Club. That team was coached by Ian Knight and featured several young university players such as Hartwick College's Tyler Hemming. Other teams shy away from the college players because they leave for school before the WOSL season is over.
Another notable fact? There isn't one Hungarian in the lineup this year.
"I always believe you take the best possible players, no matter where they come from," Olcsvary said. "You also have to put the game in proper perspective. First, it's school, then family, work and soccer -- in that order. So why not give the university kids a place to play to get ready for their school season?
"They need somewhere to develop. We know we're going to lose them early and we're short some guys now, but it should always be about youth."
Of course, there's always room for the guys who drink from the fountain of youth. The 66-year-old Sandor, who still plays in a local soccer league and is the lone member of the 1959 Hungarians still in game shape, will suit up for the 45th anniversary on the same team as his 42-year-old son David.
"I'm hoping to play in two games that afternoon," Sandor said with a grin.
HUNGARIAN CANADIANS KICK-FEST
What: 45th anniversary of the London Hungarian Canadians Soccer Organization
When: Sunday, Sept. 26, at White Eagles Club (Nilestown)
Games: Greater London Youth showcase (under-12), 11 a.m.; London Hungarians vs. German Canadians (Masters), 1 p.m.; London Croatia vs. London Portuguese B (Masters), 2:30 p.m.; London Hungarians vs. London Aces F.C., 4 p.m; Romanian Old Boys vs. Slovakians, TBA
Admission: $2 for adults; kids free

27th Annual Henderson Memorial

2004-09-10T22:50:00.000-04:00

Tournament Results

Girls U9
Semi Final:
Brams 3 Waterloo2
Semi Final:
Ajax 3 London United 0
Final:
Brams 2 Ajax 1

Girls U10
Semi Final:
Kitchener 8 Flamborough 0
Semi Final:
North Mississauga 1 London United TigHers 0
Final:
Kitchender 2 North Mississauga 1

Girls U11
Semi Final:
Waterloo 2 London United Avalanche 0
Semi Final:
Greater London Falcons 2 Southend 0
Final:
Greater London 4 Waterloo 0

Girls U12
Semi Final:
Ajax 6 Nor’West 0
Semi Final:
London United Cyclone 3 Waterloo 0
Final:
London United Cyclone 2 Ajax 1

Girls U13
Semi Final:
London United Hurricane 9 Cambridge 0
Semi Final:
Chatham 2 Flamborough 1
Final:
London United 2 Chatham 0

Girls U14
Semi Final:
NL Supernova 2 London United Lightning 1
Semi Final:
Sal-Dan 2 London United Primavera 1
Final:
NL Supernova 3 Sal-Dan 0

Girls U15
Semi Final:
North London Lightning 3 Lac St. Louis 2
Semi Final:
Sault Civics 9 Byron 0
Final:
Sault Civics4 North London Lightning 1

Girls U16
Semi Final:
London United Xtreme 3 Soo Thunder 1
Semi Final:
Grimsby 2 Windsor 0
Final:
London United Xtreme 4 Grimsby 0

Girls U17
Semi Final:
Sarnia 2 London United Heat 0
Semi Final:
Hamilton Sparta 3 Byron 1
Final:
Sarnia 2 Hamilton Sparta 1

U9 Boys
Semi Final:
Dixie 4 Flamborough 1
Semi Final:
NL Arsenal White 3 Southend 0
Final:
NL Arsenal White 4 Dixie 0

U10 Boys
Semi Final:
Pickering 2 London United Strikers 1
Semi Final:
Brampton 3 Waterloo 1
Final:
Brampton 4 Pickering 2

U11 Boys
Semi Final:
UMSC Strikers 2 London United Mavericks 0
Semi Final:
Spartacus SC 4 Waterloo 1
Final:
UMSC Strikers 6 Spartacus SC 3

U12 Boys
Semi Final:
Dorchester 1 Brampton 0
Semi Final:
London United Jaguars 2 North Scarbourough 0
Final:
London United Jaguars 2 Dorchester 0

U13 Boys
Semi Final:
Brampton 6 Middlesex 1
Semi Final:
North London Cobras 3 London United Fury 0
Final:
North London Cobras 4 Brampton 1

U14 Boys
Semi Final:
Brampton 3 Southend 1
Semi Final:
London Portuguese 2 London United Bulldogs 0
Final:
London Portuguese 2 Brampton 1

U15 Boys
Semi Final:
London Benefica 3 Sault Civics 0
Semi Final:
NL Dynamite Blue 2 Waterloo Thunder 1
Final:
London Benefica 1 NL Dynamite

U16 Boys
Final:
London Portuguese 2 Sault This Week 0

U17 Boys
Final:
London United Laser 2 Windsor Croatia 0

U18 Boys
Final:
Oakridges 1 Middlesex 0

Thanks to all participants and volunteers, you made the 27th Annual John Henderson Memorial Tournament a success!

Defensive diplomacy

2004-09-03T08:53:00.000-04:00

Former all-American defender Mark Wagenaar will help London City in its Open Canada Cup drive before he heads off to study statecraft at Seton Hall.
RYAN PYETTE, Free Press Sports Reporter
2004-09-03 04:07:43

Mark Wagenaar is here for a good time, not a long time. The 24-year-old former all-American soccer player will follow in the cleat marks of his younger goalkeeping brother, Josh, and suit up for London City after earning a transfer from the Canadian Professional Soccer League's doormat Durham Storm earlier this week.
Wagenaar, a talented defender who starred at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, will play for City in tonight's Open Canada Cup wild-card game with the Metro Lions, but he won't be around for the end of the CPSL season.
"I've been accepted to the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy (at Seton Hall University) and I'm starting in two weeks," Wagenaar said. "I love travelling around the world and I'd love to get paid for it. The long-term goal is to become an ambassador. But right now, I just want to help London win the Cup."
Josh Wagenaar played in net for London in 2002 before accepting a scholarship to Hartwick College (along with teammate Tyler Hemming) in New York. City general manager Harry Gauss picked up Mark Wagenaar on loan until the end of the season.
"He fills an immediate need for us," Gauss said. "We have Marco Peeters out (recovering from a broken jaw) and that has really hurt us. We needed a player like Mark on the defensive side of the ball."
Wagenaar played for City rival Hamilton Thunder two years ago, but sat out last season in a dispute with management and eventually became a free agent.
"I went to California and joined the surf scene. I just became a beach bum for a while," he said. "But I missed playing. It was great to get back into it with Durham this year, but we haven't won so now it's nice to come to London with a shot at winning the Cup."
London, the defending Cup champion, beat the Scarborough-based Metro Lions on penalty kicks in a dramatic final at the Cove last Labour Day. Like last year, City was knocked out of the tournament early, but got back in as the wild-card host team for the final weekend. They're looking for the same kind of performance this weekend.
Besides Wagenaar, City also picked up defender Moscine Talouati from Sarnia Bluewater. The team also returns midfield magician Gentian Dervishi.
CPSL OPEN CANADA CUP
ALL AT COVE ROAD FIELD
Tonight: Wild-card game, London City vs. Metro Lions, 8:38 p.m.
Sunday: Semifinals, Windsor Border Stars vs. Ottawa Capital City, 5:18 p.m; Ottawa St. Anthony Italia vs. London/Metro winner, 8:38 p.m.
Monday: Final, 3:08 p.m.

Greater London Ontario Cup Results

2004-08-31T11:33:00.000-04:00

Gunners make it to Ontario Cup Finals!

SEMI-FINALS
Under 15 Boys Tier 2
In the first of the U15 Boys Tier 2 Semi-Finals on Saturday afternoon, Oshawa Turul faced North York Hearts Azzurri in a close encounter with plenty of chances. Goals by Jason Farrow and Eric Leal gave Oshawa the victory by a final score of 2-1, with Roberto Galati replying for North York. Their oponent in the final will be Greater London Gunners as they slipped past Sault Tenaris Civics by a score of 1-0. Josh Pongitore score for the Gunners as they will meet Oshawa in the Final on Sunday, September 19th at 10:00 a.m. at The Soccer Centre in Vaughan.

FINALS
U15 Boys Tier 2 Provincial Champion DecidedOn September 19, in the first game of the day at The Soccer Centre in Vaughan of the 2004 AOL Ontario Cup Finals, Oshawa Turul faced Greater London Gunners. This was going to be an entertaining contest with the winner being crowned Ontario Cup Champion. Oshawa started the game strong, determined to score first. London was well prepared however and began to counter attack quite well. This made the game go back and forth, with quality scoring opportunities on both sides of the pitch. At the half the score was still 0-0. As the second half was underway there was a sense of urgency for both teams. The pace of the game quickened, creating excitement for all the fans in attendance. The crowd erupted when Oshawa's George Trotter scored in the 75th minute giving them a one goal advantage. This was enough for Oshawa to claim the 1-0 victory and be named the 2004 AOL Ontario Cup Champion.

Thunder bow out in Ontario Cup Semi-Finals!

Under 12 BoysIn the U12 Boys division, North Mississauga squared off against Greater London Thunder at Centennial Stadium in Kitchener on Saturday morning. North Mississauga didn't waste anytime getting on the scoresheet as Omari Charlton scored in the 1st minute of play followed by strikes from Hector Morales Pinedo in the 8th minute, Jose DeSousa in the 10th minute, Ryan McLeod in the 18th minute, Omari Charlton again in the 20th minute and Dylan Di Turi in the 29th minute. London responded in the 30th minute with a nice strike of their own by Steven Miller in the 30th minute to reduce the deficit to 6-1 for North Mississauga. In the second half, the offense dried up slightly as both teams exchanged goals with London's Cameron van Bommel scoring in the 56th minute and Hector Morales Pinedo scoring his second of the game for the Panthers in the 57th minute. The final score ended 7-2 for North Mississauga as they booked their place in the Finals in September.

Gunners Advance to Ontario Cup Final

2004-08-30T11:24:00.000-04:00

August 30,2004

Ontario Cup Semi-final played August 28,2004 in Markham Greater London Gunners
vs. Sault Tenaris Civics
The GL Gunners played a tough, back and forth game that could have gone either way.
The Gunners went ahead with 4 minutes left in the first half on a goal from Josh Pungitore.
Through gritty determination, self sacrifice, and a couple of key saves, the Gunners held on to take the day 1-0.
The boys now move on to the Ontario Cup Final for Tier 2 - U15Boys, scheduled for September 19 at 10:00am at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan.
If you are in the neighborhood, drop by. We'd love to see you.
Congratulations to all the boys, Jim and Gerry.

Alan Kain
Greater London Gunners

City plagued heading into Locust final

2004-08-27T12:17:00.000-04:00

Morris Dalla CostaThe London Free Press
2004-08-27

My, oh my, how things change.
"We don't stink. That's rude saying that, " Harry Gauss said on the other end of the phone. "We don't stink, we just aren't playing very well."
Two weeks ago his Canadian Professional Soccer League team was hovering around the top of the Western Conference. But three losses later, City is 6-6-2 and struggling, looking below rather than up.
City plays Windsor Border Stars tonight at Cove Road in the second game of the Locust Challenge Cup. The Border Stars won the opener 4-1, the third time this year that Windsor beat London.
If City wins tonight, the teams will go into an immediate mini-game of two 15-minute halves.
"It's guaranteed win night," said Gauss, whose team desperately needs a win.
A guarantee may be Gauss's way of motivating his team but it will need a lot more than motivation. Windsor has beaten City like a tin drum every time this year. With City playing as poorly as it has been, the only thing that's guaranteed is a struggle.
"Why would you say that? We've been playing great," Gauss said. "I hope you note the sarcasm. We haven't been playing well. We lack confidence coming right out of the dressing room. We were too comfortable when we were playing well. It's nice to be complacent but you have to live up to to that.
"We got a lot of chances to move into first place because other teams have been doing the job for us. We haven't been doing the job for ourselves."
Gauss is like the proverbial one-armed paper hanger, a guy who has his hands full doing most everything that needs to be done for the team.
He has to be careful about money spent, which means he can't sign all the players he wants to sign. And soccer players are known to have fragile egos, so you have to be as much a psychologist as you do coach. When a team plays well, everyone is willing to take credit. When it doesn't play well, it's always someone else's fault.
Gauss is frustrated right now. He's frustrated by the lack of success and by injuries. Having to fill spots on the roster is nothing knew for this team at this time of year. It's as predictable as kids going back to school.
City always seems to have to fill several spots because of injuries or players heading elsewhere.
Gone are Nathan Greene and Attila Salamon. Paul Munster, who leads the league in scoring, missed a game because of suspension but will play tonight. The loss of central defender Marco Peeters to injury was devastating.
Gauss gets strong midfielder Gentan Dervishi back tonight. He has been out since the start of the season. But filling the other spots hasn't been easy.
"I've tried to make some deals. I'm trying hard to plug some holes but everyone wants the farm for a chicken," said Gauss. "I can't do that. (The other teams) know I'm in a tough spot."
Gauss hopes things get back on track as some of his injured players return. His team is still involved in the Locust Challenge Cup and Cove Road will host Canada's Challenge Cup on Labour Day weekend with $10,000 at stake.
The key player in all this is Munster. Gauss feared that some team needing a goal scorer would come in and scoop him. That hasn't happened -- yet.
If that does happen, Gauss won't be worrying so much about having to trade the farm for a chicken.
He'll have to worry about how to make chicken salad out of chicken feathers.

London soccer not in backseat

2004-08-13T13:46:00.000-04:00

Ryan Pyette, Free Press Sports Reporter
2004-08-13 01:44:25

With 13 local soccer teams alive in Ontario Cup play, it's clear London doesn't take a backseat to anybody on the competitive pitch. Of course, you'd still put mighty Mississauga in the driver's seat with their 18 Cup teams and massive Ontario Soccer Association registration numbers. That slides London into the provincial passenger side -- but, hey, there are a lot of other Ontario communities that would love to ride soccer shotgun.
It doesn't take real long to figure out why, year after year, the Forest City manages to hang around in big tournaments like the Cup. The largest reason is the number of players and teams here -- there's been ongoing fanfare that soccer is the sport of choice for the majority of Londoners, even over hockey.
There's a lot of people involved in the sport here and plenty of strong players from around Southwestern Ontario who want to play for London, which naturally expands the local talent pool.
London Portuguese men's premier division midfielder Phil Pacheco, for instance, lives in Sarnia and drives in for games and practices. He's 27 now and he's played for London teams since he was 14.
At first, his parents, Nuno and Maria, or his brother and sister shuttled him around, but now it's just him -- he just finished driving a Grand Prix that had 270,000 kms on it.
"I thought about moving to London a few times, but I have a good job here," the quality control employee at Sarnia's UBE auto plant said. "I never thought about changing soccer teams. All my friends are with Portuguese and there's nowhere else I'd rather play."
The most intriguing aspect of London's success is the number of clubs that field competitive teams, which means many of the top players are spread throughout the city on different teams. Look at the breakdown of the names still involved in the Cup: there's a couple of London United squads, North London, Greater London, Forest United, etc.
In Toronto, there might be 400 talented players trying out for one travel team. In London, a coach will get a small fraction of that turnout, then have to coax the maximum from the group to beat the bigger centres. Some of the more high-profile local teams have a pool system -- so if someone isn't performing, he or she will lose that spot to a more productive player.
At the younger ages, the threat of being replaced may seem sadistic, but it does create the blueprint for success: (a) it means more players exposed to a high level of soccer, and (b) they're hungrier.
To boot, the clubs work on the assumption that if they have a good team with a lot of potential at, for example, the U-13 level, they'll work to funnel resources toward that age group for tournaments and better competitive games.
Some say the Ontario Cup isn't a great indicator of which teams are tops because the NCAA basketball-style draw means many good squads get knocked out early.
A few think the men's Cup final four, which boasts two London teams for the first time, is not top-notch and that a club such as Benfica slid into its first-ever semifinal without playing many quality sides.
Those on the other side of the fence say Benfica, like a lot of London clubs before them, rose to the occasion and beat whatever was thrown their way.
It's become a London trait in the Cup with eight titles in the past two years.
And don't think experience and a team's ability to conquer the unknown aren't important factors in Cup play.
"Our team always seems to raise its level for the Cup games," said Portuguese men's manager Carlos Miranda said.
"That's why I'm a little afraid if we win our semifinal and face Benfica in the final, our guys will look at it like it's just another Western Ontario Soccer League game instead of the provincial championship."
It just goes to show: when you're shooting for king of the road, you never expect your final roadblock to be your next door neighbour.
LONDON'S 11 ONTARIO CUP SEMIFINALISTS
Saturday, Aug. 28
U-18 girls: London United vs. Oakville at Oshawa Civic Centre, 3 p.m.
U-15 boys (Tier II): Greater London Gunners vs. Sault Ste. Marie at Markham Mount Joy, 5 p.m.
U-14 girls: North London Supernova vs. Oshawa Kicks at Burlington's Sherwood Forest Park, 3 p.m.
U-13 girls: London United 91 Hurricane vs. Mississauga at Mount Joy, 11 a.m.
U-13 boys: North London Cobras vs. Markham at Toronto's Centennial Stadium, 11 a.m.
U-12 girls: London United Cyclone vs. London City Flash at Scarborough's Birchmount Stadium, 1 p.m.
U-12 boys: Greater London Thunder vs. North Mississauga at Sherwood Forest Park, 11 a.m.
Sunday, Aug. 29
Men: Portuguese vs. Cambridge at Birchmount Stadium, 2 p.m.; Benfica vs. Ottawa Royals at Birchmount, 4:30 p.m.
Women: London United Lightning vs. North York at Centennial Stadium, 2 p.m.

City enjoys a Super Day

2004-08-03T23:13:00.000-04:00

City enjoys a super day for soccerLondon defeated Brampton 2-1 and also was awarded the Canada Cup final.
Free Press staff
2004-08-03 01:48:49

London City completed its holiday Monday with two victories, one on the field and one off, edging the Brampton Hitmen 2-1 last night in Canadian Professional Soccer League action at Cove Road field. City midfielder Eris Tafaj provided the heroics when his rocket off the far post in the 83rd minute gave London its first CPSL win over the Hitmen.
Tafaj took a brilliant feed from forward Kadian Leckey and beat Brampton keeper Roy Blanche with a perfect shot.
The win improves City to 5-3-2 and catapulted them over Brampton into second place in the Western Conference. The Hitmen fell to 4-4-3.
London's first victory came earlier in the day when it learned it won the bid to play host to the Canada Cup championship weekend Sept. 3-6.
London has held the Cup championship tournament ever since its inception in 2001. City coach and general manager Harry Gauss said the organization has worked hard to get it.
"I think it's a great compliment to our support staff," Gauss said. "Our support staff is first-rate."
By hosting the final games, City also earns the wild-card berth for the weekend -- a nice perk after the team was eliminated on Friday night when the Windsor-Detroit Border Stars edged City 5-4.
Gauss said Tafaj's game-winner capped a great day for City soccer.
"And if you're going to score the winner, you may as well make it a beautiful winner," he said.
It had looked as if London's only victory of the day was going to be the Cup bid.
Brampton opened the scoring in the 41st minute when Paul Daccobert ran down a long feed from midfielder Angel Velasquez and chipped his shot over London goalie Haidar Al-Shaibani for the half's only goal.
The teams traded opportunities early in the second half before City's Paul Munster stripped a Brampton defender of the ball in the penalty area and scored to even the game at 1-1.
The goal was Munster's league-leading 11th on the season and set the scene for Tafaj's late winner.
Gauss said it was the team's best win of the season.
"That one was satisfying. We showed a lot of character out there and showed what we can really do."
City is at home against the St. Catharines Roma Wolves Friday at 8:38 p.m.

LONDON CITY TAKE OVER

2004-08-02T10:16:00.000-04:00

LONDON CITY TAKE OVER RUNNER-UP POSITION WITH 2-1 VICTORY CIVIC HOLIDAY MONDAY

Toronto Supra striker Michael DiLuca struck the opening goal, his 8th of the season in a vital 2-0 win over Vaughan Shooters
London City scored an important come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Brampton Hitmen at Cove Road on Civic Holiday Monday to move the Southwestern Ontario team into the runner-up position in the Western Conference standings.The game was also highlighted by London forward Paul Munster's fourth goal in less than a week, his 11th this season to lead the CPSL goalscoring title race.The game signalled the resumption of league play in the CPSL following four weekend third round games in the Open Canada Cup.On Thursday night, Toronto Supra scored a 2-0 shutout win over Vaughan Shooters at Centennial Stadium Thursday night to move the unbeaten Supra ahead of Shooters in the three-way race for the Eastern Conference title. Brampton forward Paul Daccobert opened the scoring in the rescheduled league game at London on Monday night, the goal coming at the 41st minute for a 1-0 half-time score.Paul Munster tied the game for London at 57 minutes and Eris Tafaj struck the winner at the 83rd minute.The win improves London to 5-3-2 WLT for 17 points and the runner-up spot, three points behind leaders Border Stars and two points ahead of the Hitmen with their 4-4-3 record.Michael DiLuca opened the scoring at 75 minutes for Toronto Supra in Thursday's encounter with Vaughan Shooters following a hard-fought scoreless first half--it was DiLuca's 8th goal of the season. Pedro Dias made it 2-0 at 90 minutes for the final score.Supra now have an improved 6-0-4 WLT record for 22 points, just two behind leaders Metro Lions and four points in front of Vaughan Shooters with 18.

Hockey, Soccer Compatible

2004-07-23T23:20:00.000-04:00

2004-07-23 JIM KERNAGHAN, London Free Press

Ever since soccer passed hockey in terms of registered players in Canada six years ago, there has been an uneasy relationship between the two sports.
Hockey is Canada's national sport. The emergence of soccer as the most widely played game did not sit well with some people.
It shouldn't be that way. There are no two sports that complement each other so well. Some of the best athletes play both sports.
It could be easily argued they are some of the best because they play both sports.
The year-after-year growth of soccer has been stupendous. In 1995, registrations were 484,000, just behind hockey. Last year, registered soccer players in Canada hit 825,000.
There are plenty of reasons, the chief one being economics. A flat area, a bunch of kids, a ball and jackets as goals are all soccer requires.
The organized game has grown from that, but the basics remain. While the costs of hockey's ice time, equipment and travel demands have almost turned it into a sport of the elite, soccer remains cost-efficient. It's affordable and available for nearly everyone.
Moreover, it embraces a wider range of players than hockey. Any kid who can kick a can on the street can learn the basics, whereas learning to skate, let alone control a puck, takes some time.
At the upper levels, both sports require talent, skills and fitness. In soccer, though, a small player can compete with anyone while in hockey, a player seeking to advance to the upper levels of his game has a big edge if he has size going for him.
London City general manager Harry Gauss played junior B hockey as well as soccer and can attest to the carryover in both sports.
"Anyone who played soccer was way ahead of anyone who didn't at (hockey) training camp," Gauss said. "It worked this way; you were a month ahead (in fitness) going into hockey."
This is no secret to elite hockey players. Once the National Hockey League began regular competition with European teams 32 years ago, they found the European hockey players also played a lot of soccer in training and many pro teams incorporated it into their own training.
Interestingly, some of the best hockey players in the world also excelled at soccer and some of them, such as Sweden's Borje Salming and Russia's Alexander Maltsev, had to make a decision as to which national team they'd concentrate on.
Former Toronto Maple Leaf all-star Salming once said he had no doubt he would never have attained his remarkable balance without his soccer background. Interestingly, Philadelphia Flyers' Jeremy Roenick said the same thing more recently.
It's not exactly soccer but virtually every NHL team's pre-game rite is to keep a ball in the air in the corridor to loosen up before donning their equipment.
Being a good soccer player won't make you a good hockey player and vice versa, but the elements of both games are essentially alike. You attack a goal or defend one, there are offsides, you have to cover your man, there are penalty shots.
The physical demands are certainly different yet the fitness basics remain the same. Oh yes, there's one other thing.
In both sports, goaltenders are often a little off-the-wall.

Hemming ready to go

2004-07-16T07:53:00.000-04:00

The talented Londoner hopes to have his college soccer career back on track after he was forced to sit out the final 10 games last season because he had played in the CPSL
By RYAN PYETTE -- London Free Press

London soccer star Tyler Hemming isn't sure what kind of degree he'll end up with when he finishes his four years at Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y.
If his first NCAA season is any indication, he'll be well-versed to major in drama.
Last fall, the talented centre-back started his U.S. college career in fine fashion, helping lead the surprising Hawks to as high as a No. 9 ranking in an NCAA Division I national men's soccer poll.
But Hemming's season was quickly slide-tackled when he was forced to sit out while his school investigated his eligibility after learning he had previously played with London City of the Canadian Professional Soccer League.
Though Hemming never got paid in the CPSL and City remains an all-amateur team, he ended up missing the final 10 games of his freshman season and he's still not sure how far his suspension will carry in his sophomore year.
"In the best-case scenario, I go back next month and am allowed to play right away," the 19-year-old Saunders grad said. "There's still a chance I'll have to sit out another 10 games."
One source close to the situation said Hemming, at worst, will grab pine time for an additional six games and then be home-free the rest of the year and his NCAA career.
It wasn't the only thing on his mind this summer. Hemming still had to worry about what kind of soccer program Hartwick would support when he returned.
During the offseason, the college's men's soccer team and women's water polo squad were ticketed to drop to NCAA Division III status. But an alumni fundraising blitz saved the day in late May.
"It was unbelievable, the target was $3 million and they raised $2 million in under three months to keep us in Division I," Hemming said. "It'd be a great story, after all that's happened, if we could go on and win a national championship."
First, Hartwick has to qualify for the NCAA's 48-team national championship tournament. Incredibly, it didn't happen last year.
"We all felt pretty bad about that," Hemming said. "We finished 15-2-2 in our league, the school's best finish since 1994, we were ranked ninth for a while and still didn't get in.
"Our coach (Ian McIntyre) said it had nothing to do with me, that it was the quality of our schedule that hurt us. I don't know why -- I thought we played a lot of the good teams. But we're making sure this year that a lot of our non-conference games are against some of the best teams in the country."
Even with his feet finally planted in the college game, Hemming continues to keep an eye on pro opportunities here and abroad.
"I want to be at the point where I can play soccer to earn a living," he said. "I'd love to go to Europe, that's the dream, but at one point you have to decide whether it's better to try to go there or try for Major League Soccer and the A-League."
This summer, he's playing with London Hungarians of the Western Ontario Soccer League's premier division.
There's a chance Hartwick will come to London for an exhibition game against a local side, possibly Hemming's old London City mates.
That, of course, will have to be cleared with the NCAA. Tyler Hemming has had enough drama for one year.

London City might have what it takes

2004-07-09T07:56:00.000-04:00

By MORRIS DALLA COSTA -- London Free Press

It became a predictable mantra.
Every year before the start of the season, London City soccer club coach and GM Harry Gauss would talk about how good his club could be.
For whatever reason, his club would fail to fulfil his expectations during the regular season. Every once in a while there would be a big victory, such as last year's $10,000 win in the Canada Cup.
But as the host team, London City earned its way into the tournament thanks to a bye.
No doubt Gauss would love to make a lot of noise in the regular season and not have to get anywhere via a bye.
Once again, this year, Gauss thought he had a good team before the season began. And so far, his players have given him plenty of reason to believe they are the real deal.
Gauss's team has three wins in four games. They play tonight at Cove Road against Border Stars of Windsor.
City's early success has not gone unnoticed. They are drawing better crowds than last year.
"But we should," Gauss said. "For the quality that's out there. They're exciting and they are electric."
For years, City has always boasted a number of good players but often suffered from lack of depth. Before this season began, Gauss knew he had a solid starting 11.
"Our 11 could play with anybody in the league," he said "Could we pick up the others to get us through injuries? We lost our leading goal scorer this year, we lost our Canada Cup MVP with a broken collarbone. They've been replaced. Our young players have sucked it up and are looking so good."
There's a reason for this depth. For the first time, London City has a reserve team in the Premier Division of the Western Ontario Soccer League. The experience of playing in that league has allowed players to move onto the Canadian Professional Soccer League team.
Improved conditioning has also played a role in City's success. On any given night at practice you'll see soccer players tied to fence posts pulling giant elastic bands or pulling a couple of car tires to improve their strength and speed.
"We're the fittest team," Gauss said, praising Steve Bozso, the 52-year-old speed trainer out of Otterville.
"He does so many different things.
"The very first time my team saw him, I had him put his legs behind his head. My team said, 'Harry, there's no way we're doing that.' "
But fitness and depth mean little if a team can't score. And in the past City didn't do a lot of scoring. But this season things have been different.
"We don't have rose-coloured glasses here," Gauss said. "Paul Munster has been a godsend. He's the real deal. I can't see us having him the whole season. He's just too good. I can see him playing in Europe."
Munster, 22, is from Ireland. He missed the last two years because of a knee injury. Since his return, he's scored six goals in the CPSL and 12 in the Premier League.
"All you ever heard around here was, 'You guys played a great game, but you didn't bury your chances,' " Gauss said. "Now we bury our chances. We're very comfortable defending because we know Munster will score. It's a credo here, 'Munster will score,' and he does."
Which, no doubt, will go a long way in helping Gauss finally fulfil his preseason mantra.

Nottingham Forest Academy Director visits London!

2004-07-01T11:34:00.000-04:00

Nottingham Forest Academy Director visits London!
The London FC held a coaching clinic with Nick Marshall and was attended by a majority of Greater London Coaches. Marno Olafson and Ian Knight helped Nick with running the 2 day clinic in June.

LONDON CITY UPSETS ST. CATHARINES

2004-06-23T10:18:00.000-04:00

LONDON CITY UPSETS ST. CATHARINES 4-2

London City recovered from an early 1-0 deficit to score three second half goals in a well-earned 4-2 upset over the St. Catharines Wolves at Club Roma in St. Catharines, the only game played in the Canadian Professional Soccer League Wednesday. Frank Zumpano put the home side 1-0 up after just six minutes of play, but a goal in each half by London forward Paul Munster (36 and 76 minutes), and two goals in two minutes at 48 and 49 minutes by forward Kadian Leckey, proved too much for St. Catharines.Tony Carbonaro struck the second St. Catharines goal. The win vaults London City from the foot of the Western Conference to third of six teams with a 2-1-0 WLT record and six points, one over third place St. Catharines Wolves with 5 points and a 1-2-2 record.The two teams met three times last season, to split the two games in regular league play while one cup game went to St. Catharines by a 2-1 score.Kadian Leckey was prominent with North York Astros last season and was recently transferred to London City on a loan agreement with the Toronto team.

Dynamite players on the go

2004-06-18T07:58:00.000-04:00

Johnny Morrissey and Andy Drabbant, who travelled back and forth from London to Toronto for months, head to Quebec today as part of Ontario's U-15 squad
By RYAN PYETTE -- London Free Press

All those early-morning, weekend trips to Toronto are starting to pay off for Johnny Morrissey and Andy Drabbant.
The two London Dynamite U-15 soccer players are heading to Quebec today as members of Ontario's U-15 boys provincial team to play a couple of exhibition games against the top same-age kickers from Quebec.
The matches will be watched closely by Canadian Soccer Association scouts looking to identify potential players for the national program.
"I found out on Monday, it was a nice surprise," said Drabbant, 15, a Dynamite striker.
"There's not a national championship at this age, but there's these games with Quebec and a game here with a team from Mexico later in the summer. It's going to be a lot of fun."
Of course, part of the fun is in getting there. Nearly every Saturday and Sunday for the last several months, the Morrissey and Drabbant families have instituted an alternating driver schedule to get the boys to provincial team training sessions at the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan.
Most of the other players live in the Toronto area.
It helps that the commuting Londoners live "a two-minute walk from each other" and are friends entering Grade 10 at Mother Teresa high school.
"We mostly just sleep on the way there, but at the end of the day you're up so you're just looking out the window," Morrissey said. "We don't stay overnight, we just come home and then go back (to Toronto) the next day."
Their selection doesn't surprise Dynamite head coach Martin Painter. Morrissey and Drabbant were part of the Dynamite's U-14 national championship victory in Halifax last fall.
Painter noted "all of the effort and hard work they've put in over the past two or three years. A couple of years ago, Johnny and Andy were on our competitive B squad, our development team. But they improved to the point where, now, they're on the provincial team."
There's another Dynamite player on Team Ontario who is no stranger to road trips. Central midfielder Eric Asanin-Miroux is from Thornhill, but gets a ride into London on weekdays for games and practices.
"He played with Glen Shields last year (the Dynamite's big GTA rival) and was looking for a change of scenery," Painter said.
He's a strong addition to a top-notch squad that will have to play part of the summer without star midfielder Mike Pereira. The Dynamite's primary goal is to capture the Ontario Games title here in London this summer.
"Mike's going away to Portugal with his family for about a month and we're going to need another good midfielder to take his place," Drabbant said. "Eric fits in very well with our group."
The Dynamite are a tight-knit unit and Morrissey, a whiz at dribbling the ball and keeping it airborne, keeps his teammates entertained.
"Everyone on the team can pretty much all do some tricks with the ball, but some of the stuff he comes up with is wild," Drabbant said.
Morrissey recently had a friend film his routine and the finished product is posted on the Dynamite team website.
"I don't really do it that much, just at team practices," he said modestly.
To see Morrissey's gravity-defying video, visit the Dynamite website at www.eteamz.com/londynamite/ and scroll down to the Go Johnny Go! link.

Greater London helps KidSport

2004-06-10T12:15:00.000-04:00

Greater London Soccer Club helps KidSport London with a Celebrity breakfast!
KidSport London is part of KidSport Ontario, a group that helps kids who otherwise could not afford to play sports, with fundraising. On June 5th they held a celebrity breakfast. Members of the London Knights and several other local sports teams were present, including members of the Greater London Soccer Club.

BOAVISTA DEFEAT CPSL SELECTS 3-0 AT LONDON

2004-05-28T10:19:00.000-04:00

Boavista of the Portuguese first division defeated a CPSL select side 3-0 in an exhibition game played at the Cove Road ground in London Friday.Ricardo Sousa, Boavista’s leading scorer in the season just ended, opened the scoring after 33 minutes for a 1-0 half-time score. Joao Paulo made it 2-0 for the visitors two minutes after the interval and Hugo Montaro struck the third goal at the 59th minute mark. Boavista, which won the Portuguese first division title in the 2000-2001 season, will play a third and final game in North America at Centennial Stadium at Etobicoke in Toronto’s west end on Sunday. The opposition will be Toronto Supra of the CPSL with a 6.30 p.m. kickoff.Boavista opened its North American tour losing 3-1 to NY/NJ MetroStars of Major League Soccer at Elizabeth, N.J. on Wednesday, May 26.Toronto Croatia’s George Azcurra was the goalkeeper for the CPSL Selects, which played well throughout, but in a game where the result was never in doubt.The complete CPSL Select team of players mostly from London City and Metro Lions, which promoted the game with Toronto Supra, was: Harry Paul Gauss(London City,GM/Head Coach)Steve Nijjar (Brampton Hitmen,Co-coach)Jeff Brown(London City,Co-coach)George Azcurra (Toronto Croatia,Goalkeeper)Haidar Al’Shairbani (London City, Goalkeeper)Peter Zorbas (North York Astros, Defender)Stu Pow (London City, Defender)Mason Greene (Mississauga Olympians, Defender)Bayete Smith (Brampton Hitmen, Defender)Marko Peeters (London City, Defender)Sasha Kosanovic (Metro Lions, Midfielder)Kosta Stojkovic (Metro Lions, Midfielder)Justin Medeiros (London City, Midfielder)Caswain Mason (Metro Lions, Midfielder)Gentjan Dervishi (London City, Midfielder)Kareem Reynolds (Metro Lions, Midfielder)Phil Ionadi (Brampton Hitmen, Midfielder)Billy Ninopoulos (Metro Lions, Midfielder)Marko Janjicek (Metro Lions, Forward)Darryl Gomez (Metro Lions, Forward)Paul Munster (London City, Forward)

Tackling another level

2004-05-28T07:40:00.000-04:00

Londoner Justin Medeiros, 22, who raised his game last year, gets a chance to test his mettle against a Portuguese Premier team at Cove Road tonight
By RYAN PYETTE -- London Free Press

When the older gents at London's Portuguese Club start speaking in their native tongue, Justin Medeiros just shakes his head, smiles and shrugs.
"I don't understand a word -- my dad's from Portugal and my mom's from Ireland -- the guys at the club bug my dad for not teaching me any Portuguese," the 22-year-old Londoner and talented soccer sweeper said with a laugh.
Medeiros will undoubtedly hear more Porto lingo tonight when he suits up at the back for the Canadian Professional Soccer League Locust Selects against touring Portuguese Premier team Boavista.
If the foreign phrases turn nasty, it means the London City defender and John Paul II high school grad is doing a good job of frustrating the Boavista shooters.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I've been super-excited ever since I found out about the game. I was going to go watch it anyway and now I'm playing in it," said Medeiros, a maintenance worker and moulding apprentice at Falcon Plastics. "It would probably be far-off to say we're hoping for a tie or even a one-goal game. They're just coming off their season and we're just starting ours.
"But we want to show that, as Canadians, we can play with a Portuguese pro team."
Boavista, 12-11-11 in the Portuguese Superliga this year and losers in the UEFA Cup semifinals last season, played Wednesday night in New Jersey against Major League Soccer's MetroStars. They wrap up their North American visit Sunday against the CPSL's Toronto Supra.
"I didn't really follow the Portuguese league until a couple of years ago -- I knew Porto, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon but not much about Boavista," Medeiros said.
London City general manager Harry Gauss didn't know much about Medeiros until his veteran sweeper Jeff Brown (now a City coach and the select team's co-skipper) went down to injury last year.
"My son Sean, who knew Justin from high school, kept telling me he had the perfect replacement," Gauss said. "For the longest time, I wouldn't listen. Finally, I went to watch him play (club soccer with Porto) and he was OK, but I wondered how he would handle things at another level."
Quite well, actually. Medeiros was instrumental in City's remarkable Calgary Flames-like run to the CPSL's Open Canada Cup crown last fall and was named MVP of the final match.
"He's a super kid, he thinks the game well, he knows where to go to put out the fires," Gauss said. "I love him out there with Marco Peters (Medeiros's City teammate who will also play tonight). You want defenders who know each other in a one-game deal like this."
Medeiros is hopeful he can get involved in a nice tackle because he'll have a lot of supporters in the crowd tonight.
He also hopes, some day, to make the visit to his father Nurno's hometown of San Miguel in Portugal.
"With Euro '04 being played (in Portugal) this summer, you think about getting a package and just going to see what it's like over there," he said. "But there's car payments and bills, it costs a lot of money. It'll have to wait. We'll see."
Until then, Medeiros will settle for tonight's game against Boavista and tickets to see FC Porto play Liverpool in Toronto at the end of July.
IF YOU GO
What: CPSL Locust Selects vs. Boavista of the Portuguese Superliga
When: Tonight, 8:10 p.m. at Cove Road field at the German Canadian Club
Tickets: $30 at the gate

London Gryphons set first exhibition game

2004-05-14T23:19:00.000-04:00

By RYAN PYETTE -- London Free Press

Print up the schedules -- the London Gryphons have themselves an official game.
The new women's soccer club, which is assembling a summer exhibition season before starting W-League play in 2005, will meet the Detroit Jaguars on Friday, July 16, in Motown. Other games against teams from North America's top women's circuit will be announced soon.
Meanwhile, the Gryphons continue to hold workouts and head coach Frank Sauer expects to finalize the roster in the next few weeks.
"We want to have (a half-dozen) games this summer -- we know we'll be on the road for the most part, but we want one or two here in London," Sauer said. "We have an idea what players we want on our team but, right now, we're waiting for the girls who played university soccer this year to come home."
The NCAA considers the W-League amateur so players on university scholarships are eligible to compete.
London will enter the W-League's Midwest division next year, with teams from Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana.
Sauer said one of the benefits of the league is it allows good local talent to stay at home and train in the summer. In his soccer salad days, the former Canadian men's team member remembers travelling to Toronto a couple of times a week for practices.
"You had to do it back then; I knew I would have never been discovered or played on the national team if I didn't get to Toronto," he said.
"Now that London's in the W-League, there will be a closer connection between the city and the women's national team. It will open up opportunities and if one of these girls moves on to play a higher level of soccer, then it's worth it."

2004 Greater London Super Cup Champions

2004-05-10T11:27:00.000-04:00

2004 Super Cup Champions

Under 10
Champions
LONDON UNITED STRIKERS
Runners Up
LONDON UNITED FURY

Under 11
Champions
SCARBOROUGH BLIZZARD
Runners Up
BRAMPTON BULLETS “A”

Under 12
Champions
GREATER LONDON THUNDER "Regional"
Runners Up
RICHMOND HILL RAIDERS

Under 13
Champions
GREATER LONDON KNIGHTS "Regional"
Runners Up
MT. HAMILTON AVALANCHE

Under 14
Champions
LONDON UNITED BULLDOGS
Runners Up
WATERLOO UNITED

Under 15
Champions
CONCORD GUNNERS
Runners Up
NUCLEO SPORTING

Under 17
Champions
GREATER LONDON PHOENIX 87s
Runners Up
KLEINBURG LIONS

Soccer Substitute Shining

2004-05-06T23:16:00.000-04:00

STEVE GREEN, Free Press Sports Reporter
2004-05-06 03:03:36

When the John Paul II Jaguars picked up a couple of red cards in their TVRAA boys' soccer season opener last week, Mike Pereira got his chance. Four goals in three games would seem to say he's making the most of it.
The Grade 12 forward got two yesterday as the Jaguars sheared the Laurier Rams 6-1 in a Central A tier game between two former champions with widely diverging fortunes at the moment. The win, coupled with the Regina Mundi Titans' 2-2 tie with the Aquinas Flames, leaves the Jaguars and Titans tied atop the division at 3-0-1. Aquinas sits in the third automatic quarter-final spot at 2-0-2.
Pereira wasn't a starter when the season began, but he wasn't about to mope about it.
"I just tried to do my best and prove why I should be out there," he said. "I took notes in my head and saw what I should do to help the team.
"But I also want to have fun and the guys are giving me good opportunities to score. We motivate each other to keep going and whoever scores, scores. In the end, it's still a win for us."
The Jaguars lost last year's TVRAA AAA final 2-0 to the Titans.
"It's like extra energy for us," Pereira said of recalling that game. "We see what we did wrong and work on it and so far, we've been improving every step of the way."
Jaguars head coach Gabe Febbraro lauded Pereira for the way he's seized the chance to shine.
"He's someone who's like our black knight, our back-door bandit. He brings a lot of intensity and he took a leadership role as a senior and accepted it full-heartedly. He's earned his place as a starter.
"And it's nice to see we do have guys who can step in. We lacked that a bit last year."
Yesterday's game was over early as Pereira got his goals and Fred Nunziata scored three in the first 18 minutes. Tshaka Anderson pulled one back for the Rams near the end of the first half, but Shawn Pacheco restored the five-goal gap with the final kick of the game.
"We've got a lot of new guys and a lot of new faces and we've struggled to string some passes together and put the ball in the net," said Rams head coach Cam Telfer, whose team fell to 0-4, but has already played the tier's top three squads.
"We just have to play positively our next three games. All the teams we have to chase (for a challenge-round playoff spot), we still have to play. It's going to come."

Greater London Super Cup is a Super Success!

2004-05-03T11:30:00.000-04:00

May 3, 2004
Super Cup is a Super Success!

The first ever Super Cup was a huge Success as 50 teams battled all weekend to bring home the Cup. No thanks to the rain, Tournament Chair Christine Moogk managed to pull together an incredible time for all. Many thanks to all the volunteers.
The tournament took place on Saturday May 1 and Sunday May 2. Games were player at Windemere 1, 2 and 3 fields, as well as at Ted Early, Stoneybrook and the Greek Club.
2005 will be even better!!

PEREIRA IN U17 NATIONAL TEAM

2004-04-15T10:39:00.000-04:00

Congratulation to Michael Pereira of the North London Dynamite. Michael has been selected for the U17 National team that will travel to Ireland later this month to play in the Ballymena International Tournament. The team will play Northern Ireland, Switzerland and Finland in group play with the final set for May 3rd. Click here for the full story.

Soccer numbers rise again

2004-03-25T23:18:00.000-05:00

2004-03-25 Morris Dalla Costa, Free Press Sports Columnist

Same old, same old.
For yet another year, minor soccer in London grew at an astonishing rate as it continues to prove it is the most popular and accessible of all minor sports.
It's become a rite of spring. When the snow melts, local soccer officials announce a big increase in their registration. Last year, the league operated with 281 teams. This year that number has increased to 295.
"We thought the numbers would be down a little this year," said Tom Partalas, a director of the London and District Youth Soccer League (LDYSL). "It turns out we have about 15 more teams."
In fact, they have about 30 new teams. With Ontario doing away with OAC (Grade 13), under-19 men's and women's teams are no longer considered to be youth teams. Those players now have to play in senior men's and women's leagues. Partalas says the LDYSL had about 20 under-19 teams.
While hard numbers won't be available until players register with those teams, Partalas expects more than 5,000 will be competing in his organization alone. Numbers also show the biggest increase again is on the girls' side of the game.
"Close to 40 per cent of the league will be made up of girls' teams," said Partalas.
The continuing increase in participants in the sport speaks to more than it's affordability and equal opportunity participation. It speaks to a hopeful future for soccer. Players would drop out of the sport as they got older because there was no opportunity for advancement.
"Now, those kids see there might be a future in the sport," said Partalas. "We have a lot of players, especially girls, who have gone to the States on full scholarships. Schools down there look very favourably at boys and girls from here. There are also a number of boys who have been able to get tryouts in England, Italy, Portugal, as teams like Grimsby and Perugia find affiliations with our teams."
Partalas also alluded to the CIBC's investment in Canadian soccer. CIBC will sponsor all 13 of the Canadian Soccer Association's men's and women's national teams to the tune of $4.3 million. That's a good news indicator to young players wanting to stay in the sport. There are more than 800,000 registered soccer players in Canada.
And just as the news about increased participation in the sport has almost become old news, so is the news surrounding field use.
Over the last year, the city has improved, lighted and manicured a number of fields for the use of soccer teams. It isn't enough since the league still has to rent a number of privately owned fields to accommodate all their teams. But with the money crunch at city hall who knows when recreational facilities will once again be made a priority.
"The city has taken great strides in this. They promised they would build and improve fields and they have. You have to say something good about them," he said. "But I want the taxpayer to know that we aren't getting a subsidy. We're paying for those fields.
"We told them 'build them and we will pay.' Well, we're paying. We're paying a lot.
In 2000, LDYSL paid between $25- and $35,000 in field rentals to the city alone. Last year the soccer organization paid around $250,000.
"When you consider what we pay compared to hockey," said Partalas. "Our fields get maintained once a week or 10 days. They don't get every day maintenance like hockey. We'll pay. In fact, we have to pay in blocks of 18-weeks for a field even though in some cases, a team's season is over in August."
The city budgeted about $1.9 million for improvements two years ago. But with the construction of some additional fields and the building of the jewel in all this, the North London Athletic Fields, the cost of improvements has run around $3 million.
The North London facility included constructing five new fields including an international-sized field. The site also has a building with six dressing room with showers, bleachers, a referee's change room, a concession stand and a garage/storage facility.
Nice and guess who's going to pay for it?
"I want people to know that soccer people are not beggars," said Partalas.
Point taken.

2 SUPERNOVA GIRLS T0 PLAY US OLYMPIC TEAMS

2004-03-01T10:40:00.000-05:00

Ontario's Under 14 Girls are off to Florida. North London is proud to announce that 2 Supernova players, Carlee Myles & Natalie McCabee have been included in the squad. The Under 14 Girls will be leaving for Florida on March 10, 2004 and return on March 19, 2004. The squad will be utilizing this trip as training for the upcoming outdoor season as well as particpating in a number of exhibition games against squads from the US Olympic Development program. Click here for more details

3 DYNAMITE PLAYERS OFF TO ENGLAND!

2004-03-01T10:38:00.000-05:00

Ontario's Under 15 Boys are off to England. North London is proud to announce that 3 Dynamite players have been included in the squad. the players, Todd Rutledge, Michael Perreira and Igor Kasic are the only London representatives and will line up against Everton FC of the English Premier League as well as several other 1st division sides.Click here for more details

LDSL History

2004-02-21T00:03:00.000-05:00

London & District Soccer League
Champions Runners-up
1987 St. Thomas Woodstock
1986 Olympians Strathroy
1985 London Croatia Ingersoll
1984 London Portuguese Grand Bend
1983 Curinga London Croatia
1982 Curinga London Croatia
1981 Curinga Delhi Royals
1980 London Marconi Hungarians
1979 London Marconi Hungarians
1978 London Marconi
1977 London Marconi
1976 London Marconi
1975 London Scottish
1974 London Scottish
1973 London Celtic
1972 Sarnia Dante
1971 Sarnia Dante
1970 London Olympians
1969 London Marconi
1968 London Marconi
1967 Ingersoll Flyers
1966 London Marconi
1965 London Marconi
1964 London Marconi
1963 German Canadians
1962 German Canadians
1961 German Canadians
1960 Dutch Lions
1959 Stratford Fischer Bearing
1958 Stratford Fischer Bearing
1957 Sarnia CCFC (Dante)
1956 Sarnia CCFC (Dante)
1955 Sarnia CCFC (Dante)
Lower Divisions (first was the top division)
Second(East) Second(West)
1987 London Portuguese Grand Bend
1986 Tillsonburg German Canadians B*
Second Third
1985 Poachers Arms Taxandria
1984 Strathroy Portuguese Carpinone
1983 London Portuguese Ingersoll
1982 Woodstock Poachers Arms
Second Third(North) Third(South)
1981 St Columban Grand Bend St Thomas
Second Third Fourth
1980 St Thomas Ingersoll St Bartalomeo
1979 White Eagles Yugoslavs Slavia
1978 Stratford Strathroy NC
1977 Portuguese German Can B
1976 Hungarians Delhi Royals
1975 London Utd Goderich Utd
1974 St Thomas R German Can
1973 Ingersoll F London Utd
1972 German Can White Eagles
1971 Celtic Scottish
1970 St.Columban Woodstock
1969 Stratford Tillsonburg Ath
1968 Scottish Olympians
1967 Celtic
1966 German Can B
1965 Croatia
1964 German Can B
1963 Tilsonburg Ath
1962 Ingersoll F
1961 Woodstock PM
1960 Viscounts
1959 St.Thomas Oly
1958 Sarnia (Dante)

Another LDYSL Team Wins the Ontario Cup!

2004-02-15T09:40:00.000-05:00

From SuperNova WebSite February 15, 2004
Supernova win 2004 Ontario Indoor Cup

In a tense and thrilling final, the Supernova retained their Ontario Cup Indoor title by defeating Oshawa Kicks 1-0 on a brilliantly taken goal by Sara Palermo midway through the second half, with Danielle St. Germain in goal and the Supernova defence outstanding in keeping the Kicks scoreless. Earlier in the day it had looked as though the Supernova would not even feature in the final as they trailed a tough, hard working Thunder Bay team by a goal with only five minutes of the semi-final remaining. A powerful and accurate shot by Katelyn DePutter tied up the game which ended in a deserved penalty shoot out victory for the reigning champions. In preliminary round play the Supernova had defeated Oshawa 1-0 on a Palermo goal, Sudbury 3-0 on goals from Devon Beach, DePutter and Chelsi Abbott, and Scarborough 2-1 with Sara Palermo scoring both goals.http://www.eteamz.com/lonsupnova/