U21s near miss at Ontario Cup

BY LAUREL MYERS

The U21 Panhellenic women's soccer team recently came within one goal of becoming the first Sudbury women's team to capture the Ontario Cup soccer title.

In a final game, held in Vaughan, against the Richmond Hill Raiders - the best team in the league according to U21 coach Giuseppe Politi - the Sudbury girls battled through the scoreless game, pushing it into overtime. In the 98th minute, the Raiders stole the game with a "golden goal."

"It was a heartbreaker," Politi said in an e-mail. "The girls played great and we lost on a scramble, just agonizing. I'm still replaying it over and over, it was so close."

Despite the loss, the coach said it was a great season overall. "Number two in Ontario is okay," he said. "We are officially Ontario Cup U21 Women finalists."

With the Ontario Cup still fresh in his mind, he has high hopes for next year. "We could potentially have all players returning - we don't lose anyone for age reasons," he said, adding the team was actually U20 this year.

The team finished its season play on a high note, capturing a 5-0 victory over the Pickering Eagles, held last Saturday at Delki Dozzi. Pickering had no subs and played short for the majority of the game.

U21 goal-scorers were Jenna Schroeder, Romina Cimino, Stacey Watson, Jessica O'Bumsawin, and Danielle King. Stacy Carter marked a shutout for the team.

The women finished fourth overall in league play, which ensures them a spot in the U21 Provincial Ontario Women's Soccer League central division again next year.