Sunday, February 16, 2014

London LAC Spartans U16 Boys 2014 Ontario Futsal Cup Champions

It was an exciting day of Futsal at Durham College on Saturday, February 15. The Ontario Futsal Cup was held along with two training sessions and a Men’s Showcase game. The Ontario Futsal Cup featured the Under 16 Boys division where four teams battled for the provincial title. Ottawa FC Washington Selects, London LAC Spartans, London Phoenix FC and North York DHSL United all played in a round robin tournament, culminating in a Final with the top two teams. In between the round robin games, Lorenzo Redwood, Canadian National Futsal Team Assistant Coach took some players through some drills with formation work in an open training session. John Botelho took the second training session with work on keeping possession of the ball.
Two men’s teams from the Toronto Futsal League put on a fine display of futsal skills in a friendly before the Futsal Cup Final. Milltown FC and BST both showed their talent in this showcase game, but it was BST that took the win.
Futsal Winner The Ontario Futsal Cup Final featured the top two teams from the round robin, Ottawa FC Washington Selects and London LAC Spartans.
London got off to an early lead with a string of quick goals. Noah O’Brien netted the first at the three minute mark of the game with a shot from outside of the penalty mark. Two minutes later, Peter Suski pocketed one on a rebound off the Ottawa keeper. Another four minutes later, Aldo Escobar took a corner kick that deflected off an Ottawa defender into the net. The next London goal came at the 14 minute mark, when Justin Nickson received a cross from a teammate and chested the ball into the net.
Ottawa finally got on the scoreboard when Joshua Sargusingh put the ball past the London keeper at the 17 minute mark. Justin Nickson, of London, was not finished his scoring streak, however, and netted two more before the end of the first half to record a hat trick. The score was 6-1 for London at the half.
London maintained control into the second half when Lucas Liberatore notched two quick goals at the 28th and 30th minutes. At the 32nd minute, Aiden Newton-Birani gave London its ninth goal, but Ottawa responded with two quick goals. Ottawa’s Soheil Varahram took a cross from a kick in and slipped it past the keeper. Then Matas Jurgutis dribbled the ball past the London keeper to make it at 9-3 game. London’s Aldo Escobar then put his second of the game in the net when he was left open in front of the keeper and capitalized on the opportunity.
The final goal of the game came when Ottawa’s Noah Stanford used some fancy footwork to put the ball through the legs of London’s keeper, bringing Ottawa’s tally up to four.
The final score of the game was London 10, Ottawa 4, giving London the title of Ontario Futsal Cup Champion.
It was an exciting day of Futsal at Durham College on Saturday, February 15. The Ontario Futsal Cup was held along with two training sessions and a Men’s Showcase game. The Ontario Futsal Cup featured the Under 16 Boys division where four teams battled for the provincial title. Ottawa FC Washington Selects, London LAC Spartans, London Phoenix FC and North York DHSL United all played in a round robin tournament, culminating in a Final with the top two teams.
In between the round robin games, Lorenzo Redwood, Canadian National Futsal Team Assistant Coach took some players through some drills with formation work in an open training session. John Botelho took the second training session with work on keeping possession of the ball.
Two men’s teams from the Toronto Futsal League put on a fine display of futsal skills in a friendly before the Futsal Cup Final. Milltown FC and BST both showed their talent in this showcase game, but it was BST that took the win.
Futsal Winner The Ontario Futsal Cup Final featured the top two teams from the round robin, Ottawa FC Washington Selects and London LAC Spartans.
London got off to an early lead with a string of quick goals. Noah O’Brien netted the first at the three minute mark of the game with a shot from outside of the penalty mark. Two minutes later, Peter Suski pocketed one on a rebound off the Ottawa keeper. Another four minutes later, Aldo Escobar took a corner kick that deflected off an Ottawa defender into the net. The next London goal came at the 14 minute mark, when Justin Nickson received a cross from a teammate and chested the ball into the net.
Ottawa finally got on the scoreboard when Joshua Sargusingh put the ball past the London keeper at the 17 minute mark. Justin Nickson, of London, was not finished his scoring streak, however, and netted two more before the end of the first half to record a hat trick. The score was 6-1 for London at the half.
London maintained control into the second half when Lucas Liberatore notched two quick goals at the 28th and 30th minutes. At the 32nd minute, Aiden Newton-Birani gave London its ninth goal, but Ottawa responded with two quick goals. Ottawa’s Soheil Varahram took a cross from a kick in and slipped it past the keeper. Then Matas Jurgutis dribbled the ball past the London keeper to make it at 9-3 game. London’s Aldo Escobar then put his second of the game in the net when he was left open in front of the keeper and capitalized on the opportunity.
The final goal of the game came when Ottawa’s Noah Stanford used some fancy footwork to put the ball through the legs of London’s keeper, bringing Ottawa’s tally up to four.
The final score of the game was London 10, Ottawa 4, giving London the title of Ontario Futsal Cup Champion.
- See more at: http://www.ontariosoccer.ca/OSABlog/index.php/archives/9693#sthash.oa1dsIsV.dpuf
nfdsajIt was an exciting day of Futsal at Durham College on Saturday, February 15. The Ontario Futsal Cup was held along with two training sessions and a Men’s Showcase game. The Ontario Futsal Cup featured the Under 16 Boys division where four teams battled for the provincial title. Ottawa FC Washington Selects, London LAC Spartans, London Phoenix FC and North York DHSL United all played in a round robin tournament, culminating in a Final with the top two teams.
In between the round robin games, Lorenzo Redwood, Canadian National Futsal Team Assistant Coach took some players through some drills with formation work in an open training session. John Botelho took the second training session with work on keeping possession of the ball.
Two men’s teams from the Toronto Futsal League put on a fine display of futsal skills in a friendly before the Futsal Cup Final. Milltown FC and BST both showed their talent in this showcase game, but it was BST that took the win.
Futsal Winner The Ontario Futsal Cup Final featured the top two teams from the round robin, Ottawa FC Washington Selects and London LAC Spartans.
London got off to an early lead with a string of quick goals. Noah O’Brien netted the first at the three minute mark of the game with a shot from outside of the penalty mark. Two minutes later, Peter Suski pocketed one on a rebound off the Ottawa keeper. Another four minutes later, Aldo Escobar took a corner kick that deflected off an Ottawa defender into the net. The next London goal came at the 14 minute mark, when Justin Nickson received a cross from a teammate and chested the ball into the net.
Ottawa finally got on the scoreboard when Joshua Sargusingh put the ball past the London keeper at the 17 minute mark. Justin Nickson, of London, was not finished his scoring streak, however, and netted two more before the end of the first half to record a hat trick. The score was 6-1 for London at the half.
London maintained control into the second half when Lucas Liberatore notched two quick goals at the 28th and 30th minutes. At the 32nd minute, Aiden Newton-Birani gave London its ninth goal, but Ottawa responded with two quick goals. Ottawa’s Soheil Varahram took a cross from a kick in and slipped it past the keeper. Then Matas Jurgutis dribbled the ball past the London keeper to make it at 9-3 game. London’s Aldo Escobar then put his second of the game in the net when he was left open in front of the keeper and capitalized on the opportunity.
The final goal of the game came when Ottawa’s Noah Stanford used some fancy footwork to put the ball through the legs of London’s keeper, bringing Ottawa’s tally up to four.
The final score of the game was London 10, Ottawa 4, giving London the title of Ontario Futsal Cup Champion.
- See more at: http://www.ontariosoccer.ca/OSABlog/index.php/archives/9693#sthash.oa1dsIsV.dpuf
It was an exciting day of Futsal at Durham College on Saturday, February 15. The Ontario Futsal Cup was held along with two training sessions and a Men’s Showcase game. The Ontario Futsal Cup featured the Under 16 Boys division where four teams battled for the provincial title. Ottawa FC Washington Selects, London LAC Spartans, London Phoenix FC and North York DHSL United all played in a round robin tournament, culminating in a Final with the top two teams.
In between the round robin games, Lorenzo Redwood, Canadian National Futsal Team Assistant Coach took some players through some drills with formation work in an open training session. John Botelho took the second training session with work on keeping possession of the ball.
Two men’s teams from the Toronto Futsal League put on a fine display of futsal skills in a friendly before the Futsal Cup Final. Milltown FC and BST both showed their talent in this showcase game, but it was BST that took the win.
Futsal Winner The Ontario Futsal Cup Final featured the top two teams from the round robin, Ottawa FC Washington Selects and London LAC Spartans.
London got off to an early lead with a string of quick goals. Noah O’Brien netted the first at the three minute mark of the game with a shot from outside of the penalty mark. Two minutes later, Peter Suski pocketed one on a rebound off the Ottawa keeper. Another four minutes later, Aldo Escobar took a corner kick that deflected off an Ottawa defender into the net. The next London goal came at the 14 minute mark, when Justin Nickson received a cross from a teammate and chested the ball into the net.
Ottawa finally got on the scoreboard when Joshua Sargusingh put the ball past the London keeper at the 17 minute mark. Justin Nickson, of London, was not finished his scoring streak, however, and netted two more before the end of the first half to record a hat trick. The score was 6-1 for London at the half.
London maintained control into the second half when Lucas Liberatore notched two quick goals at the 28th and 30th minutes. At the 32nd minute, Aiden Newton-Birani gave London its ninth goal, but Ottawa responded with two quick goals. Ottawa’s Soheil Varahram took a cross from a kick in and slipped it past the keeper. Then Matas Jurgutis dribbled the ball past the London keeper to make it at 9-3 game. London’s Aldo Escobar then put his second of the game in the net when he was left open in front of the keeper and capitalized on the opportunity.
The final goal of the game came when Ottawa’s Noah Stanford used some fancy footwork to put the ball through the legs of London’s keeper, bringing Ottawa’s tally up to four.
The final score of the game was London 10, Ottawa 4, giving London the title of Ontario Futsal Cup Champion.
- See more at: http://www.ontariosoccer.ca/OSABlog/index.php/archives/9693#sthash.oa1dsIsV.dpuf

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Hockey Canada has announced its 25-player men's roster for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

2014 TEAM CANADA OLYMPIC ROSTER


The complete Canadian roster is as follows:
Goaltenders: Roberto Luongo, Carey Price, Mike Smith
Defence: Jay Bouwmeester, Drew Doughty, Dan Hamhuis, Duncan Keith, Alex Pietrangelo, P.K. Subban, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Shea Weber
Forwards: Jamie Benn, Patrice Bergeron, Jeff Carter, Sidney Crosby, Matt Duchene, Ryan Getzlaf, Chris Kunitz, Patrick Marleau, Rick Nash, Corey Perry, Patrick Sharp, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares, Jonathan Toews
Eleven players are returning to the squad from the team that won gold at the Vancouver 2010 Games. Yzerman confirmed that the decisions were finalized on Monday night.
Canada's first game in Sochi is Feb. 13 against Norway. Canada will also play Group B games against Austria on Feb. 14 and Finland on Feb. 16.
Notable omissions from the squad at forward include Claude Giroux, Milan Lucic, James Neal, Joe Thornton, Eric Staal, Martin St. Louis, and Logan Couture. Left off the team on defence were Dan Boyle, Brent Seabrook, Marc Staal, and Mark Giordano.
Duchene was among the first to tweet his excitement about being named to the squad.
"So honoured to have the chance to represent Canada, @HockeyCanada and my hometown of Haliburton in the 2014 Sochi Olympics," tweeted Duchene.
"Such a great honor to represent my country. Dream come true for any Canadian kid growing up," tweeted Pietrangelo.
Yzerman, who is also general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, explained to TSN's James Duthie what it was like to call his player, Martin St. Louis, and tell him he did not make the team.
"It's not easy, not a call I was looking forward to doing. (His reaction) was no different than any other of the 14 players," said Yzerman.
Yzerman also discussed some of the other players who did not make the team, such as Giroux and Couture.
"Claude Giroux is a great player, and in the event of injury, these guys will all be under consideration. I cannot criticize any player that we did not put on this team," said Yzerman.
Yzerman added that several players are still under consideration should Canada need an injury replacement.
"In the end we've put together the best group of players we possibly can. Now we have to become the best team we possibly can," head coach Mike Babcock said.

Friday, September 13, 2013

SportsGameLive


SC Waterloo Versus London City Friday September 6, 2013, Marin Vucemilovic Grgic, last year's MVP in the Canadian Soccer League (With Toronto Croatia) and leading goal scorer for London City this year, scored all three goals for his team to defeat SC Waterloo Region 3-2 in a highly entertaining encounter at the Hellenic Centre ground in London Friday night. 
By SportsGameLive

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

In Pictures: The 2013 PDL Championship The best photos from the Austin Aztex's victory

PDL Feature
Thursday, August 8, 2013
The Austin Aztex claimed their first PDL championship this past Sunday night in front of a crowd of 4,253 fans at House Park. Take a look back at the action with some of the best photos of the Aztex’s 3-1 victory against the Thunder Bay Chill.

The Austin Aztex, in white, and Thunder Bay Chill process onto the field ahead of the 2013 PDL Championship Game, led by PDL Senior Director Ryan Brooks and Thunder Bay Chill Owner John Marello, who greeted the teams before kickoff.

The Austin Aztex and Thunder Bay Chill, and the packed crowd at House Park, face the flags for the singing of national anthems of Canada and the United States. The 4,253 in attendance was a record crowd for the Aztex.

Austin Aztex goalkeeper Devin Cook, who was an All-Southern Conference selection in 2013, prepares for kickoff in front of the Aztex’s supporter’s group, Eberly’s Army.

The Thunder Bay Chill celebrate Pedro Adan’s second-minute goal that gave them an early lead against Austin. Adan was on hand to blast home a rebound after Zetroy Alexander’s initial shot had been turned on frame to put the regular-season champions on top.

Austin’s Sito Seoane puts away a penalty kick past Thunder Bay goalkeeper Daniel Alvarado to tie the game in the seventh minute. The penalty kick was Alvarado’s first action in the game after he was brought on to replace starter Stephen Paterson, who had been sent off after bringing down Aztex forward Kris Tyrpak in the fourth minute, a foul which resulted in the penalty.

Austin forward Sito Seoane claimed the PDL Championship Most Valuable Player award after scoring twice in Sunday’s 3-1 victory. Seoane finished the postseason with five goals in four games, including the game-winning goal in each of the Aztex’s victories on the way to the title.

Austin Aztex captain Zack Pope, left, and Aaron Guillen celebrate following a stoppage-time goal that gave the Aztex a 3-1 halftime lead against Thunder Bay. Pope played a big role in the side’s success during the weekend, providing the cross that led to the second goal in the championship game.

The Austin Aztex regroup in front of Eberly’s Army after taking a 3-1 lead against the Thunder Bay Chill in first-half stoppage time.

A panoramic view of House Park at the start of the second half between the Austin Aztex and Thunder Bay Chill. The 2013 PDL Championship Game was the highest-attended since 2007, when the game was also hosted in Texas by the Laredo Heat.

Austin Aztex captain Zack Pope lifts the PDL Championship Trophy following his side’s 3-1 victory against the Thunder Bay Chill. The win capped a remarkable season for Austin that saw the club go 10-0-0 in the PDL at House Park, lose just once in league play, and see standout forward Kris Tyrpak earn PDL Most Valuable Player honors and Paul Dalglish take Coach of the Year honors.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

London majors win Game 1 6-2 over Burlington Bandits

The London Majors are a step closer to changing their first-round woes after beating the Burlington Bandits 6-2 at Labatt Park on Friday (Aug. 9).
New Zealand ace Andrew Marck took to the mound to start the Majors first game of the playoffs and pitched masterfully, giving up just six hits and collecting seven strikeouts in 8.2 innings.
The Majors didn’t fair much better in the batter box getting just eight hits in 31 at-bats (.266 hitting average), but they managed to take advantage when it counted.
In just the five walks Burlington’s pitcher Matthew St. Kitts threw in eight innings of work, two of the free bases led to runs on the scoreboard.
In just two errors by the Bandits, the Majors were able to bring in a run after London’s Chris Stewart tagged first base with a mistake by the Bandits’ shortstop Jeff Kosta.
Paul Young and Ryan Lapensee (hitting in the third and fourth spot in the lineup) led the way for the Majors, both going 4-for-2 with two RBIs and one run.
It’s a good start for London, who lost in the first-round of the Intercounty Baseball League playoffs the last two years. In neither of those series did the Majors win the opening game.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven first-round series will be held Saturday (Aug. 10) in Burlington with the first pitch thrown out at 1 p.m., before the series comes back to Labatt Park for Game 3 Sunday (Aug. 11) at 1 p.m.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

London Knights Horvat Signs with the Canucks

Captain Back Friday August 9 after missing 10 Games

London City’s captain returns for late push





Mr. Begovic (player #15) sprinted in a threatening way towards me yelling at me using foreign language and stopped face to face with me then proceeded to headbutt me,” wrote Hassane Rifai, the harmed referee in question, in a witness report to the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA).
The CSL deals with all league discipline, except for abuse of an official. In that case the governing body CSA handles the incident.
The 33-year-old London player was suspended indefinitely until further notice by the CSA.
Begovic, and his team, vehemently denied the allegations and had a personal hearing with the CSA Discipline Committee to appeal the decision on July 13 in Toronto.
London City general manager Jasmin Halkic and teammate Aldin Kukic spoke at the hearing in Begovic’s defence.
There’s a YouTube video of the incident, which the Committee looked at as well and can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDJX-w0qOv0.
When it was all said and done the suspension was dismissed.
“The Committee is unable to agree and support the allegations brought forth by the CSL against Begovic,” the CSA wrote in a letter to London City announcing their decision on July 30. “From the angle of the video of the alleged incident, the Committee determined that the match official’s head did not move back at any time to indicate that he had been head butted by Begovic. To support this finding, the players on the field would have responded or reacted to any physical act or contact by Begovic towards the match official, especially a headbutt.”
The infraction had originally been posted in the discipline section of the CSL’s website in bold red letters reading Bega wouldn’t return to a field until next year. Now the infraction isn’t even publicized, unlike the rest of the yellow and red cards that have gone and past. It’s like the incident never even happened.
But it did, and it cost Begovic and his team seven games together.
“He’s the team leader, he’s the team captain and he’s the most experienced player here,” London City’s leading point-getter Marin Vucemilovic Grgic. “We need him.”
Just as Begovic was about to take back his captain duties from defender Zvonko Bakula, who has filled in the role in the meantime, the reinstated pro player received a call from back home in Belgrade, Serbia.
His mother-in-law had died and Begovic returned to his European home to be with wife and pay his condolences. With that, he missed another three games.
His teammates kept in constant contact with Begovic since he returned to Serbia and they could hardly await his return to the Forest City when he flew into Toronto on Saturday (Aug. 3).
According to Grgic, teammates would be meeting Begovic at the airport with a sign reading, “Team captain, we miss you.”
“When one player goes home because of a death in the family that affects all of us,” Grgic said in describing the closeness of his team. “We always called him asking, ‘Are you coming back?’”
Begovic’s return can’t be understated.
London City did fine without him, going winless with a 0-2-2 record to start the season and following it up with a 5-4-1 record with Begovic gone.
There’s no doubt he can help his team pick up a few extra points though, but what Begovic does transcends outside of the field.
He’s been the face of the team since London City changed ownership last year and completely revamped its roster.
In a club where English isn’t most of the players first language, he’s been the one answering questions.
When City’s head coach mysteriously left midway through last season, Begovic was the one organizing practices and running drills.
In other words, since joining the team in 2012 Begovic has been London City’s “guy.”
At the end of the day the suspension is off the CSL’s website and you would be hard pressed to find mention of it anywhere. The standings, however, will never be taken down and London, currently in sixth place, will most likely only go up in the rankings with Begovic back in his spot in midfield and eight games left.
“Definitely we need him in the game. He’s a quality player,” said London’s new coach Tomo Dancetovic, who has two games under his belt with the team. He previously coached Begovic on the Brantford Galaxy. “He’ll definitely be a big help for the team.”
Begovic is expected to make his return in a London City jersey Friday (Aug. 9) when the team hits the road to take on the St. Catharines Roma. He’ll make his first home appearance Aug. 17 against the Serbian White Eagles.