Burlington SC kept their playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Serbian White Eagles in the only game played in the Canadian Soccer League Friday night, and the result is also important to Windsor Stars and London City as the two southwestern Ontario teams clinch a berth in the playoffs while on the sidelines.
All three goals were scored in the first half in an entertaining encounter at Nelson Stadium, with the first goal scored by Burlington’s Milos Vucinic who found the at the 13th minute off a corner kick.
Midfielder Kiril Dimitrov equalized for Serbian White Eagles when he found the net past Burlington goalkeeper Vladimir Vujasinovic at 26 minutes and at the 45th minute mark, Vucinic struck again what turned out to be the winner. The Burlington defender drove the ball past Serbian Eagles goalkeeper Scott Cliff after intercepting a pass in the penalty box for a 2-1 score at half-time and at the final whistle.
Three players were shown the red card by referee Arthur Korbiel. They are James Stamopoulos of Burlington SC and Nikola Negojevic of Serbian White Eagles following an altercation at 83 minutes, and defender Mario Gavran of Burlington after receiving a second caution just before the final whistle.
The Burlington win prevents Serbian White Eagles from picking up enough points to overhaul Windsor Stars and London City – these two teams have 27 points in the table, Serbian Eagles have two games remaining in the regular season and can only finish with a maximum 26 points if both games are won.
Seven teams now occupy playoff berths. They are Kingston FC, York Region Shooters, Toronto Croatia, Brampton City Utd, SC Waterloo, Windsor Stars and London City. Any one of four teams – St. Catharines Wolves, Astros Vasas FC, Burlington SC and Serbian White Eagles, can win the last playoff spot available.
The eight teams will play quarterfinal games Thanksgiving weekend, October 11 – 14, the semifinals will be played the following weekend with the CSL Championship Final on Sunday, November 3 at Niagara Falls. The CSL Championship will be preceded that day with the Second Division Championship.
Remaining games this weekend:
FIRST DIVISION
Sat, Sep 28 Esther Shiner Stadium 4:30 PM Astros Vasas FC vs Niagara United
Sat, Sep 28 Windsor Stadium 7 PM Windsor Stars vs Brampton City Utd
Sun, Sep 29 Nelson Stadium 5 PM Burlington SC vs Kingston FC
Sun, Sep 29 Warrior Field 7 PM SC Waterloo vs St. Catharines Wolves
Sun, Sep 29 Hershey Field 9 PM Toronto Croatia vs York Region Shooters
SECOND DIVISION
Sat, Sep 28 Eglinton Flats 3 PM Serbian White Eagles B vs Kingston FC B
Sun, Sep 29 Hershey Field 5 PM Toronto Croatia B vs SC Waterloo B