VAUGHAN, Saturday, September 8, 2007 -- Nightfall at the Ontario Soccer Centre saw the last year's Champions, the St. Catharines Thistle, face off under the floodlights against the Ottawa Capital United Express in the second annual Ontario Masters Championships.
In the First Half, St. Catharines controlled most of the play, but lacked the finishing touch. The best scoring opportunity came when a St. Catharines striker headed a shot on goal, but it was blocked by an Ottawa defender who, from his own goal-line, headed the ball off the cross-bar to keep the score tied 0-0.
The first goal of the match came for St. Catharines in the 55th minute when they took advantage of the Express keeper who was still recovering from the last play. #17 Tony Carbonara shot the ball into the left side of the net to give his team a 1-0 lead.
St. Catharines continued to play intelligent soccer and maintained pressure. The Thistle stung again in the 86th minute with a beautiful goal off a passing play that left #18 Frank Zumpano wide open to put a cheeky flick past the helpless Ottawa keeper.
Ottawa would not give in, however, and #3 Bert Lee headed a ball past the Thistle keeper in injury time to put the Express on the score board.
But the come-back was not to be as the final whistle blew moments later to seal the Thistle's successful defence of their Master’s Championship title.
The St. Catharines Thistle were crowned the 2007 Masters Champions and will head to Charlottetown, P.E.I., October 5-8, 2007, to represent Ontario at the Eastern Masters Club Nationals.
"This was our second time in the Masters Final and Ottawa was an awesome opponent tonight," said Thistle coach, Danny McIntosh. "They've been playing good soccer all year, but today we were the stronger team. We had one outstanding first goal by Tony Carbonara who caught Ottawa napping and that contribution made the difference in the game."
"We were at the Eastern Nationals last year and the competition is stiff from teams like Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador. We came very close last year except for the fact we had some key injuries, so we brought in some new players this year. We know the competition is tough, but I think we stand a good chance at winning the Championship."
"Although the Thistle's possession was greater percentage-wise, our team played well defensively," said Express coach, Pierre Cantave. "The only thing missing on our side tonight was Lady Luck -- we had a goal called back which, in my opinion, certainly would have changed the tempo of the game."
Goals:
- #17 Tony Carbonara (Thistle)
- #18 Frank Zumpano (Thistle)
- #3 Bert Lee (Express)
Final Score:
St. Catharines Thistle 2 v 1 Ottawa Capital United Express
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