Ontario News

Defence wins championships is a mantra which embodied the Team Ontario Women’s Soccer Team at the 2022 Canada Summer Games in Niagara. Team Ontario’s strong defence was on full display on Sunday afternoon in the women’s soccer finals, where they defeated Quebec 3-0 to take home the gold medals. “The team executed the game plan well, not falling into Quebec’s strengths and exposing their weaknesses,” said Team Ontario Head Coach, Bryan Rosenfeld. “We defended well all through the tournament, not allowing teams to create anything against us, and when they did like in the finals against Quebec, our defenders made the needed plays and tackles to stop scoring opportunities.” Despite the final score, the opening 15 minutes were very even as both teams were content to sit back in their defensive shapes and play in midfield as they felt each others out. It was right before the cooling break that the game started to open up when Quebec created the first real chance when a centering cross was volleyed off the crossbar, nearly giving them the opening goal. Unfortunately for them, it was Ontario’s day. Just a minute later, Ontario attacked down the right side, eventually centering the ball to the top of the 18-yard box where arriving Amanda Allen hit the ball into the left side of the net in a controlled yet powerful finish to give Ontario the lead. They never looked back. Ontario continued to attack and pressure full field and a few minutes later they were awarded with a second goal when Nyah Rose drove to the goal line and finished on a tight angle to double Ontario’s lead.

The opening minutes of the second half were similar to those of the first, but Ontario grew as the game moved on and in the 71st minute, substitute Aliya Gomes added a third Ontario goal to put the game just about out of Quebec’s reach. Through their four game tournament, Team Ontario did not concede any goals, finishing with a 28-0 goal differential, which includes an 18-0 win over Yukon, a 3-0 win over Prince Edward Island and a 4-0 win over Nova Scotia in the semi-finals, in addition to the win over Quebec. “The team grew together as we learned to be kind to each other which resulted in us looking at each other as family,” said Rosenfeld in closing. “This created a strong bond between us that helped us fight for each other and ultimately win together.” In the Canada Games Men’s Soccer Finals, Team Ontario was defeated by Quebec by a score of 3-0, in an exciting clash between two powerhouses. The result was a difficult one for Team Ontario who largely dominated their round robin games and semifinals, outscoring their opponents by a total of 12-0, including at 2-0 victory over New Brunswick in the semifinals to advance to the gold medal game. In the finals, Team Ontario also found some success, controlling the ball and holding much of the possession throughout the game, but ultimately they failed to produce goal scoring chances. On the other hand, Quebec was happy and comfortable conceding the ball in the middle of the park, setting up a strong, well organized defence that often lead great counter attacks, and moving the ball around well when they got it. “We played against a team that was very good in transition with a clear game plan where they didn’t mind not having the ball, and did a great job getting forward when they got it,” said Team Ontario Head Coach, Anthony Capotosto. “We possessed the ball well, but didn’t do enough with the possession, specifically in the final third, getting behind their lines and finishing.” Quebec’s game plan paid off in the 23rd minute when Forward, Ishmaël Jones scored the opener, followed by a second in the 58th minute by Defenceman Mandell François, to give Quebec a commanding 2-0 lead heading into the later parts of the game. After the second, Team Ontario responded by changing their game plan in an effort to get back into it. They found some success, finally creating good chances including a headed effort that was cleared off the line, but ultimately they failed to breach the staunch Quebec defence and standout goalkeeper. Quebec added a late goal as Ontario pushed forward for equalizing goals. “We represented Ontario very well,” said Capotosto reflecting on the tournament. “The professionalism, sportsmanship, quality and behaviour of our players and staff are all things that we can be proud of.”