L1O Premier Recap: Hamilton United With Contrasting Results

It was a doubleheader at McMaster University on Sunday as Hamilton United Elite’s men’s and women’s teams were in action. The former faced off against Windsor City FC, the latter versus Blue Devils FC.

Two interesting matches would see the men fall 2-1 in the opener, while the ladies earned a 3-1 victory. Here is the rundown of the matches at Ron Joyce Stadium:

Hamilton United Men makes it exciting, but falls to Windsor City FC

The first match of the day took place between Hamilton United and Windsor City in the men’s premier division. The sides came into the contest off the back of contrasting results: Hamilton United fell 3-2 away to fellow Forge FC development club St. Catherine’s Roma Wolves on Thursday. Meanwhile, Windsor City had topped Simcoe County Rovers 2-1 in their most recent outing.

The first meaningful chance came in the 12 minute when free kick found Braden Stevanovic, who nodded the ball over to teammate Dylan Satto. Despite being all alone, Satto could not keep his shot down.

For most of the opening half, Windsor City carried possession, creating a lot more than the hosts. Eight minutes before the half was up, Owen Antoniuk went for goal first-time from 25 yards out. His dipping effort went just over the bar. Hamilton keeper Ethan Cagalj was relieved to see that shot go over.

The away side would take the lead just before halftime. The goal stemmed from the Hamilton United defense overplaying at the back. They were picked off, with Jonathan Agapito doing well to beat his man and find Gianni Ferri. Windsor FC’s number nine made no mistake in blasting the ball home from close range.

While Hamilton United had another chance just before the halftime whistle, they were the second best side in the opening 45.

Ferri was again involved in the Windsor attack to start the second half. Despite doing well to beat Cagalj with his shot, the striker was offside.

The visitors continued to carry the game in the opening part of the second period. They would deservedly score a second goal, albeit with a bit of luck. After Stevanovic did well to play in Ferri, the latter’s sliding effort hit the post. After finding the other post with his follow-up, the ball fell to Satto, who fired it over to Antoniuk right away. The winger made no mistake in putting the ball in the net.

It was after going 2-0 down did Hamilton United start to show some attacking impetus. Minutes after the goal, Mutjaba Ameen hit an effort that went wide. Elton Nyumah also had a go moments later after some good work down the right wing. The Windsor keeper, Dante Carraro, was equal to it.

The hosts managed to get a goal back with a little less than five minutes to play: Nyumah was once again involved, as he skipped past his marker and found Hamilton captain Jamu Iluya. The striker fooled Gianfranco Facchineri, who brought him down. Facchineri received a yellow card for his troubles. As for Iluya, he made no mistake in sending Carraro the wrong way to half the deficit.

The game got exciting after that as both sides had several opportunities to score another. Perhaps the best chance came in stoppage time, as Hamilton substitute Muaz Saleh headed a looping ball on target. Carraro did brilliantly to keep him out and preserve his team’s advantage.

That was the last meaningful attempt of the game as Windsor City came away with an important 2-1 win. That moved them up to 13th place in the standings with 13 points. They go to high-flying Scrosoppi next Sunday.

As for Hamilton United, they remain on nine points, good for 15th spot. They also sit one point back of Burlington SC for the last spot in L1O Premier for next season. United will next be in action on Monday 26 June as they host a winless Master’s Futbol Academy.

Hamilton United Women earn convincing win over Blue Devils FC

In the second match of the double-header, Hamilton United’s women’s side came away with a 3-1 win against Blue Devils FC of Oakville.

The hosts had played to a 0-0 draw at FC London the weekend prior. That was just the third time across their first 10 games that they avoided defeat. As for the Blue Devils, they also came off a stalemate; they drew 1-1 at Darby, which was also played the previous Saturday.

The away team had a great chance to score first just a few minutes in. A cross found Stefanie Young, who put her effort wide from close range.

Both teams settled into the game after that, as much of the game was played in the midfield. It would be the home side that would go in front after 15 minutes. A corner played in by Brynn Jurus was well hit by Bryanna Caldwell. Her first-time effort gave Blue Devils keeper Molly Race no chance.

Moments later, Hamilton United had a chance to make it 2-0. A half-cleared cross fell to Lindsey Barwitzki, whose attempt was easily saved by Race.

Midway through the first half, the hosts won a penalty. A long throw was gathered by Race, but not before she clattered into Hamilton’s Maila Carboni. The Blue Devils’ keeper was sent off for her troubles as the visitors found themselves in a more challenging situation. Elisa Paolucci, the side’s backup keeper, saved the ensuing penalty, which Caldwell hit straight at her.

From there, Hamilton United looked the more dangerous side as they carried the game, being up a player. They went into the dressing rooms up a goal, and looked set to pick up just their second win of the campaign.

Remarkably, it would be the Blue Devils who leveled the score in the 63rd minute. Julia Listro received the ball outside the area. After taking a few touches, she let fly from 20 yards out, her shot going out of the reach of Hamilton keeper Jana Febbraro.

Unfortunately for the visitors, they did not remain on parity for long. Two minutes later, Hamilton United retook the lead. Some excellent buildup saw Jenna Parris get free on the right wing, finding Makenna Williamson in the box. The latter made no mistake in converting her shot from inside the six-yard box.

Despite playing 11 against 10, the Blue Devils continued to make good account of themselves. They did created a few opportunities, but failed to level the score once more.

As the game winded down, Hamilton United scored one more. A through ball played in substitute Joelle Chackal, who rounded Paolucci and finished off the game.

The match ended 3-1 to Hamilton United, who moved up to eight points on the season, good for 17th spot. They are back in action next Sunday as they travel to Markham to take on Unionville Milliken.

As for the Blue Devils, the defeat means they stay on 13 points and is 10th in the table. Next weekend, they host last year’s playoff winners NDC Ontario, who has won all nine of their games in 2023.