BY SCOTT
HADDOW
The Macdonald Cartier senior boys' soccer team is going through
the front door to get to the OFSAA A Championship this
year.
Last season, the Pantheres made it to the provincial event
through the back door because another participant dropped out
and they were a default squad.
The Pantheres earned their front entry this year by winning the NOSSA A Championship earlier this week at Hillcrest Field in Lively with a thrilling 2-1 double overtime win over Franco-Cite school from Sturgeon Falls.
Macdonald Cartier now moves onto the OFSAA A Championship,
which takes place in Barrie from June 4 to 6.
Striker Antonio Radford-Paz was the hero, scoring both goals,
including the winner with just seconds to go in the second and
final overtime frame.
Radford-Paz has been the darling of the team in the post
season, collecting seven goals in his last three games.
He also scored two against Lively in the city semi-final and
then three goals against L'Horizon in the city championship.
Radford-Paz has scored every single goal for the Pantheres in
the post season.
"Antonio has just been red hot for us...all season," said coach
Louis Roberge. "He has come up big in the big games...he's
hungry and he wants to win. We hope his hot foot carries over
into the provincial championship."
The Pantheres are ecstatic about going to the provincial dance
as Northern Ontario champs.
"Winning and going has a much different effect on us...it's
amazing," said player Chuck Carre. "OFSAA is the biggest
step and the biggest dream of any high school athlete in
Ontario. It's where we want to end our season, and end it on a
good note...trying to win the provincial championship."
Macdonald Cartier has their work cut out for them. "This win
was a good confidence booster for us," said Carre.
"Hopefully, we can carry over the momentum of the big win into OFSAA. It's going to be a big challenge for us, but I think we're all up for it."
The Pantheres have to be prepared to empty the tank at OFSAA.
"Everyone has to step up another notch and find another level
of play," said player Stephane Legrand. "We didn't do so great
last year, so we're looking for some revenge this time
around."
The Pantheres played a solid game at NOSSA to advance.
"It was a sweet victory," said Roberge. "This team beat us
earlier in the season during an exhibition game. There were
some anxious moments. Just  before Antonio ended the game,
one of the other team's players shot at our open net, but one
of our guys got his foot on it and saved a goal...then we came
back and scored. This team has a strong defence, middle and
goaltending. If they put it all together again at OFSAA, they
should be fine."
