W-League 2009 All-League Team
Goalkeeper of the Year – Michelle Betos (Atlanta Silverbacks)
In her first season in the league, Betos helped lead the Silverbacks to the regular season division title with a 10-1-1 record, posting a mark of 9-1-1 herself. She finished second in the league in goals against average at 0.188 and in shutouts with nine. She also was tied for second in wins.

Defender – Ashleigh Gunning (Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues)
Having previously played for Cocoa and Charlotte, Gunning provided a veteran presence for the upstart squad as they went on to post an unbeaten 12-0-2 regular season record and capture the league’s regular season title. Hudson Valley allowed just nine goals in 14 games with Gunning seeing action in 13. She also provided two goals and two assists in the attack.

Defender – Ria Percival (Ottawa Fury)
After a brief taste of W-League action with FC Indiana last year, Percival moved north of the border to join the Fury and help guide the club to an 11-1-2 record with only nine goals allowed. She appeared in all 14 games, playing every minute and providing five assists on the year.

Defender – Brittany Taylor (Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues)
In her debut season in the league, she helped guide the team to an unbeaten 12-0-2 season and capture the league’s regular season title. In the nine games she played, Taylor was a threat in the attack, coming forward for three goals on the season.

Midfielder – Gemma Davidson (Chicago Red Eleven)
After spending 2008 with New York, Davidson helped lead the Red Eleven to a 10-1-1 record on the season, finishing just one point back of unbeaten FC Indiana in the division race. She played in eight games on the year, tallying six goals and two assists.

Midfielder – Michelle French (Seattle Sounders)
A five-time All-Conference selection, French is still one of the top players in the west and had the Sounders on the verge of the postseason before their final winless three-game trip to California. She played in all 12 games and provided four goals and an assist.

Midfielder – Rosa Tantillo (Buffalo Flash)
Playing in a tough division, the expansion Flash finished second with a record of 9-2-3 on the year. Helping lead the way was Tantillo, a member of last year’s champion Pali Blues. She saw action in all 14 games and provided eight goals and two assists in the campaign.

Midfielder – Nikki Washington (Pali Blues)
With many of its top players gone from the 2008 championship side for Women’s Professional Soccer, Washington stepped in and helped lead the Blues to another unbeaten season at 9-0-3 and a second straight conference title. She tallied five goals and two assists in nine games on the campaign.

Forward – Laura Del Rio (FC Indiana Lionesses)
The 2008 league assist leader captured the scoring titles she narrowly missed out on last year by finishing the campaign with 18 goals and four assists. She helped lead the side to the league’s best offensive output of 63 goals and a 10-0-2 record, coming up just shy of the regular season title.

Forward – Amber Hearn (Ottawa Fury)
With 13 goals and two assists on the year, Hearn helped lead the Fury to an 11-1-2 record and the division title. She was tied for fourth in the league in goals and sixth in points.

Forward – Angelika Johansson (Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues)
Johansson was a key component in the club’s attack en route to winning the regular season title with a record of 12-0-2 and 40 goals. The striker found the back of net 14 times and provided eight assists, finishing second in the league in points, tied for second in goals and tied for third in assists.

W-League 2009 Individual Honors
In addition to the previously announced statistical award winners and the Goalkeeper of the Year, four other top individual honors are still to be announced. The winners of the awards will be announced Wednesday, August 5 from the following finalists in each category:

Defender of the Year Finalists
The three All-League selections Gunning, Percival and Taylor are the finalists for the honor.

U19 Player of the Year Finalists
The finalists for the award are Sarah Chapman (Tampa Bay), Chante Sandiford (Washington) and Fortuna Velaj (Connecticut).

Coach of the Year Finalists
The finalists for the award are Tony Anglin (Chicago), Fabien Cottin (Quebec City), George Fotopoulos (Tampa Bay) and Jesse Kolmel (Hudson Valley).

Most Valuable Player Finalists
The finalists for the award are Laura Del Rio (FC Indiana), Amber Hearn (Ottawa) and Angelika Johansson (Hudson Valley).

In their last meeting on June 12 Ottawa came out 1-0 victors, an outcomes that almost repeated itself again. Both teams came out hungry early keeping the defenders of both sides on their toes. Ria Percival lofted in a free kick in the 20th minute which Michelle Evans rifled off the crossbar and Anna Caniglia headed home. The Fury continued to press after the goal, but Buffalo countered with several rushes of their own and almost drew even when Pamela Conti’s header hit the crossbar and stayed out. Before the half was out Michelle Evans was also denied by the crossbar after she curled a free kick in on goal from 20 yards out.

Leading after 45 minutes the Fury continued to generate chances early and the games tempo continued to rise. Maria Ruiz found herself alone in front of goal in the 74th minute but fired over the bar after several minutes of Buffalo pressure. The Flash were awarded a penalty kick deep into injury time much to the dismay of the Fury players and coaching staff. Maria Ruiz who had be unlucky all evening long pulled Buffalo even and helping their chances at 2nd place if they can manage at least a draw against Laval tomorrow.

The Fury Women close out the regular season tomorrow against Rochester (0-12-1) and will begin the playoffs next Saturday at a location to be announced.

Next Game
vs Rochester Ravens
Sunday, July 19 at 6pm
Algonquin College Soccer Complex

Game Stats

Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps FC women concluded their W-League season on a down note Sunday afternoon, losing 4-1 away to Real Colorado Cougars.
Full Story

Toronto Lady Lynx
The Toronto Lady Lynx capped off their 2009 season with an exclamation point this afternoon, routing the visiting Quebec City Amiral 2-0.
Full Story

Other Canadian Action
Ottawa vs Rochester 7:0
Hamilton vs London 3:0
Buffalo vs Laval 2:1

Amber Hearn brought a crowd of over 400 at the Algonquin College Soccer Complex to their feet with a powerful low strike at the near post to open the scoring in the 13th minutes. Hearn netted her second and W-League leading 12th goal of the season in the 27th minute off a Ria Percival corner as the Kiwi-connection put the Fury out to a much need two-goal lead. Six minutes later Katie Bethke netted her first goal of the season after a Ria Percival strike was blocked. The Fury continued their magic on set pieces in the 42nd minute when Jennifer Hance redirected an Anna Caniglia corner home for her fourth goal of the season. Early into injury time Caniglia did it all herself curling a corner kick inside the back post for her third of the season and a 5-0 Fury lead at half-time.

The Fury made many changes in the second half and continued their possession-based attack, but were unable to add anything further past Cometes keeper Marie Richelle Coulomb. The Cometes were missing six starters from their line-up who are currently at the Canadian Women’s U-20 camp. Former Fury W-League player and Youth Program graduate made a return to her hometown and factored into the outcome late into the game tallying her 11th goal of the season deep into injury time to ruin the clean sheet for the Fury.
Gillian Baggott, another graduate of the Fury Youth Program, made her Fury W-League debut entering into the game in the second half.

Next Game
Saturday, July 18th
vs Buffalo Flash
7:00 pm
Algonquin College Soccer Complex

Fury U15 Girls Perfect At Gothia Cup In Sweden
Team goes 3-0 in round robin of international youth soccer tournament, advances to knockout round

The Ottawa Fury U15 Girls have put their stamp on the 2009 Gothia Cup!

The cup, held annually in Gothenburg, Sweden, is one of the largest youth soccer tournaments in the world with more than 1000 teams from over 50 nations participating. The Ottawa Fury Soccer Club’s U15 Girls team coached by Don Bouchard travelled this past weekend to play in this year’s edition of the tournament, and were placed in a preliminary group with three Swedish sides.

Things started strongly for the girls on Monday, as they went out 2-0 victors over Åkersberga BK on goals from Lauriane Brissette-Lesage and Kristen Gilmour. They followed their early successes with a 3-1 win over Enköpings SK through two goals from Karina Fredette and one from Krista Wilson. Sitting 2-0-0 in their group and needing only one more win to guarantee their place in the knockout stages of the tournament, the Fury did not disappoint – winning their third match by an impressive 7-0 margin over Kvarnby IK through a Krista Wilson hat trick, a brace from Taylor Piovesan and goals from Kristen Gilmour and Brianna Boutziouvis.

The perfect round-robin record means the Fury now advance to the “A” pool finals and are seeded #1 overall. They will play Sävar IK at 9:50 am. Thursday morning, with the winner to play again at 2:35 pm.

MISSASSUGA — The Toronto Lady Lynx emphatically snapped their four-game winless streak with a stunning 2-0 victory over the previously-undefeated Ottawa Fury at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga this afternoon. Giselle Mangal and Erica Henderson netted second-half goals to power Toronto to their first-ever home win against their bitter Ontario rivals.

The Lady Lynx even up their record at 4-4-4 (16 points) on the year, while the Fury fall to 9-1-1 (28 points) on the year. The two teams split the season series with one win each. Justine Bernier earned her third shutout of the year in net for Toronto in the victory.

Ottawa, who entered the match with the best record in the W-League, opened the first half with a strong wind at their back, and came at the Lady Lynx early. Toronto’s defense held fast and did not allow the Fury to turn their possession advantage into scoring chances.

The solid defensive effort in the first half energized the young Lady Lynx squad, and they took control of the game early after intermission. Five minutes into the second frame, Fury ‘keeper Jasmine Philips was unable to corral a loose ball in the six-yard box, and Mangal knocked it into the netting for her second goal of the year, giving Toronto a 1-0 lead.

Eight minutes later, Lady Lynx co-captain Clare Rustad curled a free kick from just outside the penalty area towards goal, where it found the head of a leaping Henderson. The Rochester native powered it past Philips into the goal and Toronto had an insurmountable 2-0 advantage. The Fury pressed until the final whistle, but Bernier and the rest of the Lady Lynx defense denied the attack and Toronto claimed the three points.

The Lady Lynx’ now head into the final week of the regular season and wrap up their schedule with two home games. The Hamilton Lady Avalanche travel up the QEW to the Hershey Centre on Thursday evening for a 7:30 PM kick-off, and the Quebec City Amiral make their first-ever visit on Saturday afternoon, July 18, for a 5:00 PM encounter.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the Lynx ticket hotline at 416-251-4625 x 31, or at the stadium box office one hour prior to kick-off.

Toronto Lineup
Bernier, Chapman, Henderson, Mailloux, Rustad, Clarke, MacDonald, Frederick, Agueci, Morra (Ruhe Lischke, 67), Mangal (Urbas, 60)

Ottawa Lineup
Philips, Percival, Caniglia, Johnson, Bethke (Wtezel, 67), Moorwood, Houliston (Romagnuolo, 13), Raber (Kete, 58), Hearn, Evans

Game Stats Toronto-Ottawa
Cautions: 2 (Henderson, 25; MacDonald, 32) – 0
Shots: 5-14
Saves: 9-5
Fouls: 9-10
Offsides: 0-2
Corners: 1-3

Scorers
Toronto
Mangal (Morra) 50′
Henderson (Rustad) 58′

Lady Lynx Next Game
vs Hamilton
July 16 at 7:30 PM
The Hershey Centre

More W-League Action
Quebec City vs Hamilton 4:0
Buffalo vs London 5:0
Laval vs Hamilton 4:0
London vs Rochester 3:0

The match was an even affair throughout, with the two teams sharing possession and both creating scoring chances. As has been the case in recent matches, however, the Lady Lynx were unable to convert their opportunities into goals and find the scoreboard.

Laval opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Julie Casselman broke into the Lady Lynx penalty area and blasted a rocket into the top left corner past a diving Justine Bernier. The visitors doubled their lead in the 68th minute when the Toronto was unable to clear the ball from their end, and Josée Charron potted a Marie-Eve Jacques pass into the Lady Lynx net.

Toronto attacked ferociously in the final twenty two minutes following the second Comets marker, but could not put the ball past the Laval keeper. The team saw their best opportunity rattle off the crossbar as the clock wound down, and Laval held on for the hard-fought victory.

The Lady Lynx’ home stand continues this coming Sunday when they welcome their bitter rivals the Ottawa Fury to the Hershey Centre for a 1:00 PM kick-off. Due to the City of Toronto outside worker’s strike which has closed Centennial Stadium, the Lady Lynx will play their final three remaining home games at the Mississauga venue. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Lynx ticket hotline at 416-251-4625 x 31, or at the stadium box office one hour prior to kick-off.

Toronto Lineup
Bernier, Chapman, Henderson, Conley, Rustad, Mangal, Agueci, Morra, Brown, Dimitrakopoulos (Schroter, 58), Frederick

Laval Lineup
Coulomb, Walsh, Filion, Acton, Pinard, Robbins, Busilacchi (Jacques, 65), Charron (Cordisee), Dumount, Casselman, Delage

Game Stats Toronto-Laval
Shots: 8-10
Saves: 7-5
Fouls: 8-12
Offsides: 3-4
Corners: 0-6

Scorers
Laval
Casselman 13′
Charron (Jacques) 68′

Lady Lynx Next Game
at home
vs Ottawa
July 12 at 1:00 PM
The Hershey Centre

The goal put the Avalanche back on their heels as the Fury pressed for a second goal which came in the 85th minute from defender Anna Caniglia who headed home the Michelle Evans corner for her second of the season.

Emma Kete made her Fury debut coming on in the final five minutes for her first touches in Fury colours. Kete joins the Fury from the New Zealand National team becoming the fourth Kiwi to join the Fury this year. Yewande Balogun collected the shutout for the Fury.

The Fury now move into a tie with the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues (8-0-1) for top spot in the W-League.

Full Story

Kiwi Connection Pushes Fury to Top Spot in W-League
The Ottawa Fury Women (9-0-1) squeaked by the London Gryphons (2-7-2) to propel themselves into top spot in the W-League also building a six point lead over Quebec City (7-3-1) for top spot in the Great Lakes Division.

Ottawa took an early 1-0 lead when the the Kiwi connection of Amber Hearn and Ria Percival came together that saw Hearn head home the Percival corner for her League-leading 10th goal of the season putting the Fury ahead after 12 minutes. If not for some great saves by Fury keeper Jasmine Phillips the scoreline could have been different heading into half time as the Fury held a 1-0 lead.

London came out fast and determined to start the second half and pulled even in the 52nd minute when Melissa Bigg blasted home a well-placed long ball from Stephanie Martin. The Gryphons continued to push once again forcing Jasmine Phillips to make some tremendous saves.

The Fury began to generate some opportunities of the own and after a few squandered chances Amber Hearn cracked a volley of the near post with the rebounding falling perfect to Michelle Evans who slotted a shot into the far corner for a 2-1 Fury lead. Another version of the Fury’s Kiwi-connection came together when Amber Hearn picked out Emma Kete who tapped home her first goal in Fury colours in injury time. Keeping the on their toes, Melissa Smith slotted home a low show beating Phillips to pull the Gryphons within one, but it was too little too late and the Fury hung on for the 3-2 victory.

Next Game
Sunday, July 12
@ Toronto Lady Lynx at 1:00 pm

Next Home Game (Algonquin College Soccer Complex)
Wednesday, July 15
vs Laval Comets at 7:00 pm

More Canadian W-League Results
At Laval
Laval Comets 1, Toronto Lady Lynx 0
Full Story

Laval Comets 4, Rochester Ravens 0
Full Story

At Quebec City
Quebec City Amirals 1, Buffalo Flash 1
Full Story

Quebec City Amirals 3, Rochester Ravens 2
Full Story

Jodi-Ann Robinson opened scoring for Vancouver on one of two Whitecaps penalty kicks in the second half, before Force midfielder Monica Dolinsky evened it up with a brilliant free kick with a quarter-hour remaining.

Whitecaps head coach Alan Koch kept virtually the same starters in the last game away to Pali Blues, with the only change being in goal, where 19-year-old rookie Stephanie Panozzo took the field in place of Sian Bagshawe.

Vancouver threatened in the opening minutes with Amy Vermeulen looking sharp on the left. Just four minutes in, she curled a dangerous ball in front, which Kate Qually just failed to redirect past Force goalkeeper Maria Del Guercia.

The visitors then produced two early scares. On 9′, speedy winger Nikki Marshall broke quickly down the right, out-pacing two Vancouver players before cutting in on goal and hitting the crossbar with a sharp-angle shot. Then on 16′ a loose ball in front wasn’t cleared, and Colorado forward Shay Powell hooked a high dipping shot on net. Panozzo was just able to touch against the crossbar and then gather the ball when it dropped.

Vancouver’s play in the first half lacked urgency and good chances were few. The home side’s best moment came on 21′, as Robinson twisted and turned at the top of the box, then hit a powerful shot which the keeper did well to parry.

On 44′ the visitors threatened again, as Shay Powell moved in on the right and blaster a hard shot that went just over the near post.

It was scoreless at halftime, and coach Koch knew his team could do better. “We had no intensity in the first 45,” he said after the game. “We have to win every challenge.”

Full Story

Fury Move Into First Place
OTTAWA – The Ottawa Fury Women (7-0-1) took on the Quebec City Amirals (7-3-0) in a battle for first place in the Great Lakes Division less than 24 hours drawing the Laval Cometes 1-1.

After a scoreless first half Amber Hearn converted a Michelle Evans cross hammering it into the top of the goal for her W-League leading ninth goal of the season giving the Fury the 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute.

Hearn’s goal proved to be the difference as the Fury extent their undefeated season to eight games.

Jasmine Phillips collected her sixth win and fourth shutout of the season as the Fury become one of only five W-League teams that remain unbeaten.

Next Game: Saturday, July 4 vs Hamilton Avalanche – 7:00 pm Kick-Off at the Algonquin College Soccer Complex.

Full Story

Buffalo buries Hamilton 5-0
ORCHARD PARK, NY — Buffalo Flash made it nine goals in two games with none conceded after a second half goal blitz, marking the second time this season the Flash have turned a 0-0 home halftime scoreline into a 5-0 win as they put away the Hamilton Avalanche Sunday.

Five goals in 15 second half minutes from Maria Ruiz, Erika Sutton (two), Rosie Tantillo and Brooke Barbuto, allowed Buffalo to turn their dominance into three well earned points, and the scoreline to reflect their superiority.

The first half was full of rain, but void of many clear cut chances. The best came after Ruiz was tripped in the box, but Sarah Wagenfuhr saw her resulting penalty saved by Avalanche captain Amy Holt, who was unbeatable for the first hour of the game.

As the rain cleared, so came the flood of goals. After 66 minutes Shaylyn Lawrence picked up her first point of the season, in assisting Ruiz’s goal. Lawrence broke free down the right wing, before bending her cross straight onto the head of the Spanish striker, whose header was angled perfectly into the bottom left of the net, for her eighth goal of the season.

Seven minutes later, Sutton, pushed into a more advanced left sided role, than she’d began the game in, latched onto the end of a Jessica O’Rourke through-ball, and slotted home with the outside of her right foot, to double the hosts’ lead.

Another four minutes passed before Tantillo picked up a Ruiz pass, and placed her left footed effort into the corner of the net from near the penalty spot.

At this point, the floodgates opened and in the 79th minute, Sutton matched her feat of last week against Laval, when she smashed a 35 yard strike into the top corner of the net. It was another fantastic strike, and her second goal of the game.

Less than two minutes later, substitute Barbuto rounded off the scoring, with a nice dribble into the box, drop of the shoulder, and comfortable finish, her first for the Flash. In doing so, she remarkably became the 12th Buffalo Flash outfielder to score this season – only nine games in – from a roster of only 15 outfielders.

Full Story

Other Results
Ottawa Fury 1, Laval Comets 1
Hamilton Avalanche 6, Rochester Ravens 0
London Gryphons 6, Rochester Ravens 2

Toronto controlled play throughout much of the first half of the match, the Lady Lynx’ first of the year at Centennial and its new artificial surface. The young squad could not find the scoresheet, however, and the half ended with both squads level at nil-all.

Neither team was able to set the pace as the second half opened, and the game became a very physical affair with hard tackles on both sides of the ball. Toronto began to press towards the later stages of the frame, and finally found the scoreboard in the 71st minute off of Rustad’s head. The W-League veteran headed home a Bryanna McCarthy corner kick for her second goal of the season, and Toronto found itself with a well-earned 1-0 lead.

As the game progressed towards time, it looked like Toronto would get the three points and sweep the season series from the Flash. Buffalo pressed, but could not crack the strong Lady Lynx defense, and Toronto nearly netted an insurance goal on a number of their many counter-attacks, but a second goal was not in the offering.

The Flash spoiled the afternoon for the Lady Lynx and their fans deep into injury time when Tantillo slotted home an Amanda Abdullah pass to knot the affair at 1-1. Toronto was unable to clear the ball following a frantic Buffalo attack, and the full points were snatched cruelly from their hands.

The Lady Lynx now head into a well-deserved ten day break before their next action. The team heads east to Laval for a Canada Day encounter at 4:00 PM, and then travel to Hamilton on Monday July 6 at 7:00 for a make-up match against the Lady Avalanche following last Wednesday’s postponement. The team then returns home on July 8 at 11:00 AM for a Youth Day rematch against Laval. Tickets for the match may be purchased by calling the Lynx ticket hotline at 416-251-4625 x 31, or at the Centennial Park Stadium box office one hour prior to kickoff.

Lineup Toronto
Bernier, Marton, Rustad, Chapman, Afonso (Schroter, 45), MacDonald, Szwed, Henderson (Ruhe-Lischke, 63), Mangal (Cameron, 45), McCarthy (Morra, 90), Frederick

Lineup Buffalo
Brandao, Sahlen, Tarr, Wagenfuhr, O’Rourke (Barbuto, 60), Sutton (DeSevario, 78), Abdullah, Lacek (Lawrence, 73), Ruiz (Craft, 83), Tantillo

GAME STATS Toronto-Buffalo
Shots: 11-10
Saves: 6-6
Fouls: 11-16
Offsides: 1-4
Corners: 3-3

Scoring
TOR … Rustad (McCarthy) 71′
BUF … Tantillo (Abdullah) 90′

Next Game
July 1, 4:00 PM
At Laval

VENTURA, CA – Vancouver Whitecaps FC women recorded their first win of the season, as they downed the homeside Ventura County Fusion 3-1 Saturday night.

Forward Kate Qually scored the winner just before halftime while young Nikki Wright added the insurance goal. Ventura County’s Jazmarae Strozier opened scoring early, and then cancelled out the lead with an own goal.

Head coach Alan Koch made three changes from Thursday’s lineup. Goalkeeper Stephanie Panozzo, 19-years-old, made her W-League debut. Sophie Schmidt flew in to rejoin the team, returning to central midfield in a 4-3-3 formation, with Amy Vermeulen then pushing up front, replacing Kirsteen Buchan. Finally, defender Carmelina Moscato was a late scratch through illness, and was replaced by Rachael Pelat.

Vancouver took the game to their hosts from the outset, and ended up out shooting them 8-2. However, Fusion opened the scoring on a counter-attack, as 18-year-old Jazmarae Strozier fired the home side to the lead after just eight minutes, giving Panozzo no chance.

Five minutes later, Strozier flattened midfielder Sophie Schmidt with a hard challenge, earning a yellow card. Schmidt had to come off minutes later, replaced by Kirsteen Buchan.

Vancouver was undeterred by these setbacks and continued to push forward, with defender Rachael Pelat in particular making some good forays down the right.

On 25′, off a Vancouver corner kick by Katie Thorlakson, Strozier knocked the ball into her own net under pressure from Jodi-Ann Robinson to make it 1-1.

Though chances were few for both teams for much of the first half, Whitecaps did manage to take a 2-1 lead into the dressing room, scoring a minute before the break. Amy Vermeulen started the play with a great tackle in midfield to win the ball, and then threaded it through for Kate Qually, who rolled it wide of the keeper and inside the post.

Full Story

More W-League Results
Quebec Amiral Win Two On The Road
June 20th at London Gryphons
June 21st at Hamilton Avalanche

Laval Cometes Split Their Two Road Games
June 20th at Buffalo Flash
June 21st at Rochester Ravens