York Region Shooters won the Canadian Soccer League championship with a 5-4 score in penalty kicks following a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation time and an extra 30 minutes of overtime at Esther Shiner Stadium in Toronto Sunday night.
It’s been a banner season for York Region with the victory extending an unbeaten streak to 21 games – 18 regular season and three playoff championship encounters to set a record of going a complete season in the CSL without a loss.
Following a scoreless tie at 90 minutes, York Region went ahead at 110 minutes with forward Richard West’s thumping header from a right wing cross by Adrian Pena. With just four minutes remaining, Toronto Croatia tied the game at 116 minutes on a goal by Shawn Brown who drove the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
With a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes, the game went into penalty kicks with Shooters scoring all five, while Toronto Croatia found the net four times for a 5-4 York Region Shooters victory on penalty kicks..
Desmond Humphrey, Babjide Fatoba, Hector Mackie, Ricky Herron and Richard Edwards scored on the penalty kicks for York Region Shooters, while Pero Menalo, Hayden Fitzwilliams, David Velastegui and Daniel Niksic scored for Toronto Croatia.
“Teamwork throughout the entire season and again tonight gave us the success we were searching for, with the players continuing to play so well together game after game. We are very proud,“ said York Region head coach Darryl Gomez following the win.
York Region Shooters game roster: Emmanuelle Ameltonis (Goalkeeper), Adrian Ibanez (Goalkeeper), Ricky Herron (Defender), Fitzroy Christey (Defender) Justin Soscia (Defender) Larry Miller (Defender) Ryan Dummett (Defender) Richard Edwards (Midfielder),Mehdi Baratimahvar (Midfielder)Babjide Fatoba (Midfielder), Mario Orestano (Midfielder), Desmond Humphrey (Midfielder), Hector Mackie (Midfielder), Francisco Javier Perez (Midfielder), Oswald Adu (Forward), Adrian Pena (Forward), Richard West (Forward).
Head Coach: Darryl Gomez, Manager: John Pacione
Toronto Croatia game roster: Antonio Ilic (Goalkeeper), Faris Efendie (Goalkeeper), Josip Keran (Defender) Captain, Sven Arapovic (Defender), Halburto Harris (Defender), Ainsley Deer (Defender), Mykola Chachula (Midfielder), Hayden Fitizwilliams (Midfielder), Pero Menalo (Midfielder), David Alva (Midfielder), Shawn Brown (Midfielder), Roberto Galle (Midfielder), David Velastegui (Midfielder), Daniel Niksic (Midfielder), Anes Handanovic (Midfielder), Igor Krmpotic (Midfielder), Ante Zivkovic (Forward), Ivan Cutura (Forward).
Head Coach: Velimir Crljen, Manager: Ivan Kulis
The CSL Championship win by York Region Shooters was preceded by a 2-0 victory in the Second Division Championship final by Kingston FC reserves defeating last year’s winner, SC Waterloo reserves. Midfielder Simon Schmitke struck the opener for Kingston at 19 minutes and forward Mademba Ba made it 2-0 at the 55 minute mark.
The games ended the 2014 season in the Canadian Soccer League.
Ground: Esther Shiner Stadium, Toronto, Kickoff 4.15 pm eastern, Weather: Cloudy, Temp 12 degrees, Breezy.
