November 3, 2005
MUSTANGS HOPE FOR REPEAT IN MEN'S OUA FINAL FOUR
The Western Mustangs men’s soccer team has enjoyed a two-year reign at the top of Ontario University Athletics. The free-flowing side from London will try and secure their third consecutive Blackwood Cup this weekend as they gear up for the Final Four, which also features the Carleton Ravens, York Lions and the host Toronto Varsity Blues. York will face East Division champion Carleton in the opening semi-final, 12:00 pm Saturday, November 5, while Western, the top team in the West Division, goes up against the Varsity Blues in a rematch of 2004 championship, at 2:00 pm. Both matches will be played at the Ontario Soccer Centre.
North Division champion Toronto was the last team to win the title before Western’s consecutive victories and the Blues will be determined to avenge a disheartening 1-0 defeat in the 2004 gold medal match held in London.
“It’s a pretty big deal for us to host,” says Toronto midfielder Mike Bialy. “It definitely helps because it’s not fun playing these Final Fours on the road.”
“This is more of a final than a semi-final,” he adds of the marquee match-up. “It’s too bad one of us will have to lose.”
Toronto (7-1-2 in the regular season) enters the tournament with an impressive blend of offensive firepower and staunch defense, helping them register an OUA-best 23 goals through 10 matches, while also allowing a league low four goals (tied with Carleton). The Blues have a lineup filled with speedy players and an organized back four. Led by standout defender Eric Tse, Toronto makes it difficult for opponents to create in the offensive end.
“We’ve really picked up our pace and we’re deadly on the counter,” says Bialy. “We’re also putting the ball in the net, which is especially important at this time of year.”
Evan Milward and Sean Myers propelled the Blues into the Final Four, scoring the goals in a 2-1 win over the Nipissing Lakers in quarter-final play. Western (7-0-3) had a significantly easier match as they defeated the Waterloo Warriors 4-0, thanks to a hat-trick from striker Jason De Thomasis. Michel Daoust, the Mustangs leading scorer with nine goals in 10 matches, scored the other. The two form an imposing strike partnership, though the Mustangs do have tremendous balance through the midfield and right back to standout goalkeeper Haidar Al Shaibani.
“Their two strikers are pretty much up there all the time,” says Bialy. “It’s going to be a good game. We’re hoping our youth and speed will take us through.”
Both Carleton (7-0-3 in the regular season) and York (5-2-3) experienced some adversity in their quarter-final matches but were able to get the all-important victories. The Ravens went down 1-0 just before the half in their meeting with the underdog Laurier Golden Hawks last week, yet they poured in three second-half goals, including two from Timothy Khaemba, to advance. The upstart Lions traveled to St. Catharines to face the physical, defensive-minded Brock Badgers and escaped with a 1-0 victory in a match that had eight yellow cards and two ejections. Chris Crissy has carried the offence for York in the first two playoff matches. Crissy scored twice in the Lions’ opening round 3-2 win over the McMaster Marauders and then had the lone goal against Brock in the 21st minute.
With standout rookie goaltender Greg Zatulovsky in net, York didn’t concede a goal until their eighth game of the regular season. But Carleton’s lineup has tremendous offensive firepower, led by OUA scoring leader Josh Dewar-Morris. Morris has been a consistent finisher all season and scored the winning goal in the 71st minute of the Ravens’ quarter-final victory over Laurier.
“The concern for us is our age and the style that Carleton plays,” says Lions coach Paul James. “They’re very direct and physical.”
James know his side is good at going forward but they will have to be organized to try and counter the Ravens, who were right behind the Varsity Blues in team scoring with 22 goals in the regular season. Zatulovsky, a big goalkeeper with a penchant for making crucial saves, will need to be at his best if York hopes to advance to the final.
“He’s got good physical presence,” James says of the instinctive rookie. “He’s definitely grown in stature and confidence as they year went on.
“And he’s got a good back four in front of him.”
York was the only team in the semi-finals that didn’t have a bye in the opening round. James says he and his team are humbled to be a part of the 2005 Final Four, acknowledging that the three other teams are class sides. While the Lions have to contend with a dynamic Carleton lineup in the first semi-final, the York coach anticipates a thrilling match-up in the second game.
“They play the game positively,” James says of the Blues and Mustangs. “Both teams are excellent.
“We’ve played Toronto twice this year and they’ve been the best that we’ve played.”
The gold medal match will be begin at 2:00 pm Sunday, November 6 at St. Michael’s College, preceded by the bronze medal match at 11:30 am.
- O U A -
Enquires can be addressed to:
David DiCenzo
Communications and Media Relations Coordinator
Ontario University Athletics
Phone: 905-540-5156
Fax: 905-540-5149
Email: david.dicenzo@oua.ca
Web: www.oua.ca
North Division champion Toronto was the last team to win the title before Western’s consecutive victories and the Blues will be determined to avenge a disheartening 1-0 defeat in the 2004 gold medal match held in London.
“It’s a pretty big deal for us to host,” says Toronto midfielder Mike Bialy. “It definitely helps because it’s not fun playing these Final Fours on the road.”
“This is more of a final than a semi-final,” he adds of the marquee match-up. “It’s too bad one of us will have to lose.”
Toronto (7-1-2 in the regular season) enters the tournament with an impressive blend of offensive firepower and staunch defense, helping them register an OUA-best 23 goals through 10 matches, while also allowing a league low four goals (tied with Carleton). The Blues have a lineup filled with speedy players and an organized back four. Led by standout defender Eric Tse, Toronto makes it difficult for opponents to create in the offensive end.
“We’ve really picked up our pace and we’re deadly on the counter,” says Bialy. “We’re also putting the ball in the net, which is especially important at this time of year.”
Evan Milward and Sean Myers propelled the Blues into the Final Four, scoring the goals in a 2-1 win over the Nipissing Lakers in quarter-final play. Western (7-0-3) had a significantly easier match as they defeated the Waterloo Warriors 4-0, thanks to a hat-trick from striker Jason De Thomasis. Michel Daoust, the Mustangs leading scorer with nine goals in 10 matches, scored the other. The two form an imposing strike partnership, though the Mustangs do have tremendous balance through the midfield and right back to standout goalkeeper Haidar Al Shaibani.
“Their two strikers are pretty much up there all the time,” says Bialy. “It’s going to be a good game. We’re hoping our youth and speed will take us through.”
Both Carleton (7-0-3 in the regular season) and York (5-2-3) experienced some adversity in their quarter-final matches but were able to get the all-important victories. The Ravens went down 1-0 just before the half in their meeting with the underdog Laurier Golden Hawks last week, yet they poured in three second-half goals, including two from Timothy Khaemba, to advance. The upstart Lions traveled to St. Catharines to face the physical, defensive-minded Brock Badgers and escaped with a 1-0 victory in a match that had eight yellow cards and two ejections. Chris Crissy has carried the offence for York in the first two playoff matches. Crissy scored twice in the Lions’ opening round 3-2 win over the McMaster Marauders and then had the lone goal against Brock in the 21st minute.
With standout rookie goaltender Greg Zatulovsky in net, York didn’t concede a goal until their eighth game of the regular season. But Carleton’s lineup has tremendous offensive firepower, led by OUA scoring leader Josh Dewar-Morris. Morris has been a consistent finisher all season and scored the winning goal in the 71st minute of the Ravens’ quarter-final victory over Laurier.
“The concern for us is our age and the style that Carleton plays,” says Lions coach Paul James. “They’re very direct and physical.”
James know his side is good at going forward but they will have to be organized to try and counter the Ravens, who were right behind the Varsity Blues in team scoring with 22 goals in the regular season. Zatulovsky, a big goalkeeper with a penchant for making crucial saves, will need to be at his best if York hopes to advance to the final.
“He’s got good physical presence,” James says of the instinctive rookie. “He’s definitely grown in stature and confidence as they year went on.
“And he’s got a good back four in front of him.”
York was the only team in the semi-finals that didn’t have a bye in the opening round. James says he and his team are humbled to be a part of the 2005 Final Four, acknowledging that the three other teams are class sides. While the Lions have to contend with a dynamic Carleton lineup in the first semi-final, the York coach anticipates a thrilling match-up in the second game.
“They play the game positively,” James says of the Blues and Mustangs. “Both teams are excellent.
“We’ve played Toronto twice this year and they’ve been the best that we’ve played.”
The gold medal match will be begin at 2:00 pm Sunday, November 6 at St. Michael’s College, preceded by the bronze medal match at 11:30 am.
- O U A -
Enquires can be addressed to:
David DiCenzo
Communications and Media Relations Coordinator
Ontario University Athletics
Phone: 905-540-5156
Fax: 905-540-5149
Email: david.dicenzo@oua.ca
Web: www.oua.ca
