York Region Shooters, the leading contender for CSL championship honours, were eliminated by Hamilton City and Serbian White Eagles defeated FC Ukraine United, two semifinal games in the CSL Championship playoffs Sunday night.
York Region finished on top of the table to take the First Division title at the end of the regular season, FC Ukraine United finished second.
Serbian White Eagles and FC Ukraine United were scoreless in the early semifinal at Esther Shiner Stadium in North York until Miroslav Jovanovic of Serbian Eagles beat Ukraine United ‘keeper Nazar Lytvyn with a low shot from 12 yards at the 71st minute mark and the goal was enough to settle what had been a hard fought encounter throughout.
Ukraine United pressed for an equalizer in the last 20 minutes, a time during which Serbian Eagles were reduced to 10 men following the ejection by referee Ramee Arbaji of Djordje Jocic at 88 minutes. Jocic was shown the red card following a second caution.
York Region Shooters and Hamilton City were scoreless until late in the second half in the second semifinal played at the Joan of Arc Stadium in Maple. Midfielder David Guzman broke the deadlock shortly after entering the game as a substitute. Guzman took a cross from the right wing to beat Hamilton City goalkeeper Adrian Becic at 76 minutes to give York Region a 1-0 lead.
Hamilton City equalized just two minutes later when Frane Grbesa found the net past York Region goalkeeper Adrian Ibanez and the 1-1 score held until the end of regulation time and 30 minutes of extra time.
Penalty kicks were taken and Igor Krmar, Zdenko Jurcevic and Miroslav Cabrilo found the net for Hamilton City, while Richard West was the lone scorer of four penalties taken by York Region Shooters.
Serbian White Eagles and Hamilton City advance to the CSL Championship set for Birchmount Stadium in Scarborough on Sunday, October 30, a 2 pm kickoff.
CSL PLAYOFFS SUMMARY
CSL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Sunday, October 30 Birchmount Stadium 2 pm Serbian White Eagles vs. Hamilton City
CSL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS TO DATE
Quarterfinals
York Region Shooters 5, Milton 0
Hamilton City 3, Scarborough SC 0
FC Ukraine United 3, Brantford Galaxy 0
Serbian White Eagles 1, Toronto Atomic FC 0
Semifinals
Serbian White Eagles 1, FC Ukraine United 0
York Region Shooters 1, Hamilton City 1 (after extra time)
(Hamilton City won 3-1 on penalty kicks)
CSL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Sunday, October 30 Birchmount Stadium 2 pm Serbian White Eagles vs Hamilton City
CSL SECOND DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
SC Waterloo and Toronto Atomic FC B gained a bye to the semifinals
Quarterfinals
Brantford Galaxy B 3, Serbian White Eagles B 2 (after extra time)
York Region Shooters B 1, London City 0
Semifinals
York Region Shooters B 1, SC Waterloo B 0
Toronto Atomic B 2, Brantford Galaxy B 0
CSL Second Division Championship Final
York Region Shooters B 2, Toronto Atomic FC B 1