Ontario Cup

Ottawa Gloucester Celtic won the 2022 Ontario Cup men’s provincial championship defeating Caledon United 3-1 to capture their fourth MilkUP Ontario Cup in nine years, lamenting their dominance in the tournament in the last decade. Despite the final score, Caledon kept it close for most of the game as they managed to frustrate Gloucester despite giving up much of the possession and failing to create many chances. It took a late winner in the 80th, for Gloucester to clinch the victory. The game started likely as planned for Gloucester, who dominated possession and often got into the Caledon final third. The opening goal came in the tenth minute when a long ball forward got headed perfectly by forward Bezick Evraire to put striker Joey Kewin on a break away which he confidently scored. Caledon kept fighting and in the 25th minute they capitalized on a bad clearance for Gloucester goalkeeper, Corey Herrington, who hit the ball straight to forward Cosimo D’Agostino on the wing, who promptly crossed the ball back in to striker Sahjah Reid, who headed the ball for the tying goal. Gloucester would continue to dominate possession and goal scoring chances, but the game would remain tied 1-1, thanks to some great defending by the Caledon backline. It wouldn’t be until the 81st minute when a ball headed forward is not dealt by the Caledon defenders, allowing the ball to bounce into the box, eventually dropping to Kewin who’s strike is blocked by the hand of defender Dror David. Unfortunately for David and Caledon, the referee spotted the violation, sent David off and awarded the penalty, which was confidently dispatched by forward Andrew Bryan. Gloucester would add another late goal as ten men Caledon pushed for an equalizing goal. For the Sunday Final, Ottawa featured Corey Herrington in goal, Julian Piccioli at right back, Milosh Stojanovic and Karl Bicamumpaka at centre back, Adam Davies at left back, and Nevello Yoseke, Kieran Sanders, Bezick Evraire, Joey Kerwin, Cameron Butterfield and Andrew Bryan from the midfield up through to the attack. Coach Matt Williams’ team also featured Julian Dasah, Kelvin Asabre and Jethro Pang as substitutes while Alex De Couvreur, Panagiotis Manginas and Ali Rego were also on the winning side.

It marked the second year in a row that Ottawa Gloucester Celtic won the Ontario Cup and their fourth time since 2013, the year that they also won Canada Soccer’s National Championships Challenge Trophy. Ottawa also finished third at the National Championships in 2016 while the tournament was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the global pandemic.

LONDON ALLIANCE GALAXY LIFT THEIR FIRST ONTARIO CUP

London Alliance FC Galaxy won the 2022 Ontario Cup women’s provincial championship on Saturday night with a 2:1 victory over the King City Royals. It was London who struck first in the opening ten minutes when Gulia Geraci scored impressively, direct from a corner kick. King City replied shortly after when Kaitlin Logan fired a long-range shot that got past London goalkeeper Samantha St. Croix despite a gallant, stretching effort. London retook their lead very late in the first half thanks to Laura Gibons who was able to slot home a goal after a great ball over the top of the King City backline. Trailing 2-1, King City came out strong in the second half. In the 55th minute St. Croix came way outside her net to break up a through ball, giving an opportunity to King City goal scorer Logan to double her tally, but her lobbed attempt from 30 yards out, went just wide of the net. King City continued to press throughout the half but ultimately London was able to hold on, nearly scoring a third goal on multiple occasions late in the game as King City pressed for the equalizer. "It was a great performance," said Head Coach Abe Hadzic in a post-game interview. "Was probably not the best first half, but we got together at half, made some corrections, and I think it showed in the second half where I believe we were the better team." In the Saturday Final, coach Abe Hadzic’s starting XI featured Samantha St. Croix (goal), Jessi Couto, Emily Costello, Lauren O’Donnell, Berkley Hughes-Lambkin, Kiera Grein, Laura Gibson, Mariah Sidwell, Sabrina DeNard, Tiffany Johnston and Giula Geraci. London’s three alternates were Samira Somer, Cassidy Wuytenberg and Maria Nelms. Before this year, Scarborough GS United won the Ontario Cup women’s provincial championship seven years in a row from 2013 to 2019, also winning the national title in 2018. There was no Ontario Cup women’s provincial championship in 2020 or 2021 on account of the global pandemic. North London Galaxy, meanwhile, were the Ontario Cup winners in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012, also winning the national title in 2012 when Emily Costello was named Most Valuable Player at the Jubilee Trophy finals. The Saturday 10 September Final was played at the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan, Ontario.