Serbian White Eagles won the CSL First Division title in 2015, losing just two regular season games in the club’s most impressive campaign since their memorable championship victory of 2008.
But the Toronto west-end organization has struggled thus far since kicking off on May 28, failing to find the net for three games and the first 10 minutes of a home encounter at Centennial Stadium Friday night.
Serbian Eagles defeated new club FC Ukraine United to open their account with a 4-1 victory in this new season and in one other game Toronto Atomic FC scored a narrow 3-2 away victory over Milton SC.
It was Serbian White Eagles’ striker Milos Scepanovic who led the way with a goal at the 10 minute mark, but Ukraine came back six minutes later when Sergii Ivliev tied the game 1-1. The home side responded with a goal five minutes later by defender Milos Ljubenovic, a 2-1 score at the 21st minute mark.
Miroslav Jovanovic increased the lead to 3-1 for Serbian White Eagles, the score at half-time.
The home side took control in the second half and at 79 minutes a picture goal by former Romanian Second Division midfielder Marko Marovic settled the game by lifting the ball over Ukrainian United goalkeeper Mazar Lytvyn at close range following a sparkling run that started with a midfield pass from Scepanovic. The goal came at 79 minutes and held until the final whistle.
Serbian Eagles goalkeeper Goran Skaric played a part in the opening victory with three saves at point blank range earlier in the game.
Tristan Scott opened the scoring for Milton in their home encounter with Toronto Atomic at the Jean Vanier Field, the goal coming at 13 minutes, and Filipe Souza tied the game 1-1 for Atomic at the 40th minute mark. It was 1-1 at the break.
Souza scored his second for the visitors at 62 minutes for a 2-1 lead and Adnan Smajic tied the score 2-2 from the penalty spot for Milton at 81 minutes.
Atomic’s Dario Brezak struck the winner at 89 minutes for the 3-2 victory which repeats the result of June 11 when Toronto Atomic defeated Milton 3-2 at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke.
