Ontario Soccer  – FC London and Woodbridge Strikers held to draws in respective women’s and men’s divisions 

August 29, 2017

Vaughan, ON – As the League1 Ontario season comes down to a final half-dozen matches for most teams, several divisions have tightened up at the top after leaders were held to draws in Matchweek 18, opening the door for contenders that are hot on their heels.  

In the men’s east division, leaders Woodbridge Strikers faced a difficult North Toronto Nitros side and were forced to comeback on two occasions. Dylan Carriero eventually secured a draw with a late penalty, but the result evaporated the Strikers lead in the division and allowed Vaughan Azzurri to become joint-leaders.

FC London showed the progress they have made over the season, reversing an opening day shellacking away to Toronto FC III by beating the Junior Reds 3-1 at home in London and moving within eight points of the top of the men’s west division. 

In the women’s division, North Mississauga continued to maintain a slim lead after a 5-0 win over Woodbridge Strikers, but two wins by Vaughan Azzurri in Matchweek 18 has brought them within two points of the top. Defending League1 Ontario champions and current third place side, FC London, continue to hold matches in hand on North Miss and Vaughan, but a surprise draw away to Toronto Blizzard put their title push into question.   

Men’s Division Results 

Jarek Whiteman scored a brace to continue his lead atop the men’s Golden Boot chart and led Vaughan Azzurri to a strong 4-0 away win over FC London. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos.

Former Canadian international Dylan Carriero got two, and new signing Marco Nunes got a goal on his debut, to help Woodbridge Strikers to a 4-1 win over Masters FA Saints. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos.

Canada U20 player Duwayne Ewart and Kashiff De Jonge were on target to hand Durham United FA a 2-0 away result over Aurora FC. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos.

Vaughan Azzurri found six goals from six different players and a clean sheet to earn a dominant 6-0 victory over Masters FA Saints. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos.

North Mississauga Panthers maintained a clean sheet and found four unanswered goals in their 4-0 home victory over Windsor TFC Stars. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos.

Sanjaxx Lions took their third win of the season after Quinn Kirkendall score the only goal in a 1-0 defeat of Brampton-based academy, Pro Stars FC. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos.

FC London put in a disciplined performance and got goals from senior players Elvir Gigolaj and Randy Ribeiro to win 3-1 over visitors Toronto FC III. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos.

Toronto Skillz found their second win of the season after a Kamara Joseph brace was enough to secure a 2-1 result over Ottawa South United Force. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos.

Woodbridge Strikers lost ground in the table after a grueling 2-2 draw with North Toronto Nitros left them level on points at top of the east division with Vaughan Azzurri. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos.

Women’s Division Results – Presented by Peel Regional Police 

Vaughan Azzurri closed the gap on women’s division leaders North Mississauga Panthers to two points after a dominant 7-0 victory over Durham United FA. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos.

Courtney Chocol made the difference for Aurora FC with a lone goal in their away fixture against West Ottawa SC in Matchweek 18. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos.

Laura Twidle was the story as her first half hat-trick set North Mississuaga Panthers off to a 5-0 win over Woodbridge Strikers and kept the Panthers two point lead at the top of the division. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos.

Leah Pais, Colleen Beesley and Alessia Mattucci did the damage early for Vaughan Azzurri in their 3-1 victory over Darby FC. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos.

Laura Gosse had a hat-trick, and Taylor Potts a brace, as Durham United FA cruised to a 7-1 win over Unionville Milliken SC. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos. 

A late strike from Toronto Azzurri Blizzard’s Jalana Ellis secured a draw against FC London that put London’s title push in danger. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos. 

Ukraine U18 player Nicole Kozlova got a brace, while Hungarian international Katalin Tolnai got her fourth in five matches, to help lead Woodbridge Strikers to a 4-1 defeat of Sanjaxx Lions. Click here to read the match report, watch video and find photos. 

For more information on League1 Ontario, visit their website League1Ontario.com.

High resolution photos, full video, and highlight clips are available to media upon request. 

About Ontario Soccer

Founded in 1901, Ontario Soccer is the largest provincial sports organization in Canada. Its members include more than 650 Clubs servicing over 24,000 teams with 380,000 registered players, 70,000 coaches and managers, and 10,000 match officials. Ontario Soccer develops and delivers exceptional and sustainable programs and services throughout Ontario with the mission of providing leadership and support for the advancement of soccer in collaboration and cooperation with our membership, partners and other stakeholders. Ontario Soccer also operates League1 Ontario, a provincial professional-amateur men’s and women’s league as well as the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL).

About League1 Ontario

League1 Ontario is the only professional-amateur, standards-based, league in Ontario. Founded in 2014, the league began with a 10 team Men’s division, which has now grown to 16 teams and includes a separate 11-team women’s division. League1 Ontario serves as a stepping stone between the youth, amateur ranks and the full-on professional sides. Sanctioned by Ontario Soccer, the league’s focus, first and foremost, is the development of Canada’s future stars.

Media Contact 

Cormac Rea | Communications Coordinator | League1 Ontario | crea@ontariosoccer.net | 905-264-9390 x 239