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Photo Credit: Martin Bazyl
PSL Canada Women’s Review: Week 12
By Premier Soccer League Canada football does not stop when the season is in play, and that was once again evident last week. The goals kept on coming, with only one game ending scoreless as teams are now in the second half of their campaigns.
Northern Tribune is here to keep you up to date with all of the occurrences across Canada’s pro-am leagues. This is our weekly roundup, covering everything that transpired in the women’s leagues. For the men’s report, you can find that here.
BC Premier League: Rise On the Cusp
The BC Premier League had five games last week as the season nears its end out west. Tuesday had two of the matches, with Altitude winning 1-0 away to Unity while Vancouver Rise Academy cruised to an 8-0 win against Burnaby FC. A five-goal first half from the league leaders sent them on their way.
That was not all from the Rise Academy, as they prevailed 6-0 over Unity on Sunday. Chloe Taylor scored a hattrick en route to victory. TSS Rovers won the other game of the day, 2-0 at Nanaimo United. There was an upset on Monday night though, with Langley United stunning Altitude 1-0 thanks to Kienna Chescoe’s goal just before the hour mark.
That loss proved very costly for Altitude, leaving their chances of defending the title looking very slim. The Rise Academy is just a point away from finishing top. Nanaimo, on the other hand, is three games away from a winless year.
Thursday could see the title be decided as the Rise faces TSS Rovers on the road. Saturday has the other two games, with Burnaby facing Kamloops United and Nanaimo battling Langley.
Alberta Premier League: Edmonton Teams Victorious
The Alberta Premier League has surpassed the midway mark of their season after another four games occurred last week. Tuesday’s lone fixture ended in a 4-0 Calgary Blizzard success against Callies United. A pair of goals in each half did the trick for last year’s winners.
It was not much better for Callies on Friday, who once again fell. This time, they scored twice in a 4-2 reverse to St. Albert Impact. They were down a woman for 65 minutes, which did not help their cause. That was also the score for BTB Academy as they got past Calgary Villains. As for the Blizzard, they drew their match 2-2 at the Calgary Rangers.
Thanks to their four points from two games, the Blizzard now leads the bunch by two points over Calgary Wild U23, who had the week off. The Calgary Foothills and BTB Academy are not out of it yet, though the latter has played more than any one else.
The Foothills and Wild U23 square off in a crucial Tuesday night game for both squads. They then return to action on Friday night, with the Foothills facing Callies United while the Wild U23 has St. Albert. BTB battles the Rangers in the other game.
Prairies Premier League: Flames Prevail Again
The Prairies Premier League just one game last week as the league’s first year of operation – albeit under what is in essence an exhibition series – kept on going.
At Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex, the visiting Bonivital Flames defeated Lucania FC 3-0 with a double from Jessica Baires plus a late marker from Sarah Nason to round out the scoring.
Despite the win, it is the Thunder Bay Chill who still leads the league due to their superior goal difference. All six sides have wins to their name, though QC United is the only one not to have multiple victories at this point.
Next weekend will have two matches, both on Saturday. The Thunder Bay Chill will return to action at home to QC United, while FC Manitoba battles Bonivital.
Ontario Premier League: Cup Set to Return
The Ontario Premier League saw plenty of football over the last week, but before diving into that, the OPL Cup semifinals are on the horizon.
Next week Wednesday will see both games take place. In Ancaster, Hamilton United Elite will go up against Vaughan Azzurri, while Guelph United will welcome Woodbridge Strikers in the other semi.
Here is what transpired in the three OPL divisions over the past week.
Ontario Premier League 1: Simcoe Held as NDC Dominates
There were six matches in the OPL1 over the last week, which kicked off with a Wednesday night clash. Scrosoppi got past North Mississauga 3-0 as the latter remained winless on the year.
Two days later, NDC Ontario won by the same score away to Waterloo United. All three goals were scored in the final quarter of the match as NDC picked up all three points. Vaughan Azzurri got the better of North Mississauga 2-0 on the road, while FC London edged Scrosoppi in Saturday’s play.
A Hannah Neville hattrick helped Guelph United see their way past North Toronto Nitros 5-2 in Sunday’s first game. The other match saw a surprising result, as Simcoe County Rovers was held to a 1-1 draw versus the Woodbridge Strikers, who levelled things with nine minutes left.
Simcoe’s lead is now down to four points, having played a game more than NDC. As for North Miss, they are facing the threat of relegation after having failed to pick up a single point so far.
There will be six more matches next week in the OPL1, where Waterloo faces FC London on Wednesday night. Friday’s sole match is between NDC and North Toronto, with Simcoe hosting London on Saturday. That same day will also see North Mississauga face Guelph and Waterloo take on Scrosoppi. On Sunday, Vaughan will meet Woodbridge.
Ontario Premier League 2: Hamilton Closes the Gap
The OPL2 also had six matches over the last week as the second half the season is in full throttle. Hamilton United Elite started things with a 5-1 defeat of International FC on Wednesday. Briana Henry and Ava Boyd both netted twice for the Hamiltonians in the win.
Pickering FC continued their winning ways with a comfortable 4-0 Friday night success over Burlington SC. Whitby FC was also victorious that night, beating Cambridge United 2-0. Tecumseh enjoyed a 7-1 win over International with five different players finding the back of the net.
Hamilton United grabbed a second win of the week by defeating Unionville Milliken 5-0 on the road. Henry scored her second brace in a matter of days to send her team on their way. Rush Canada and Oakville SC ended the week with a 2-2 draw on Sunday at Bronte Athletic Park, where the home side failed to hold onto their advantage twice.
Pickering is still well in front of the rest of the pack, though Hamilton is now in second thanks to their two wins. International, Unionville, and Burlington are in a close battle to avoid being the one that is relegated at season’s end.
Cambridge takes on Tecumseh in Wednesday’s sole match. They then host Hamilton and Unionville on Saturday, respectively. Also on Saturday, Burlington takes on Whitby, while Rush Canada hosts International. Oakville will cap off the week with a home match versus Pickering on Sunday.
Ontario Premier League 3: Railway, Roma Proving Unstoppable
The OPL3 saw several games occur throughout the week as the second half of the regular season is here. The Kingston Sentinels had two games, drawing against Whitby B 2-2, before topping International B 2-0. Simcoe B won the other Northeast Conference match, getting past North Toronto B 1-0.
In the Central Conference, Richmond Hill also ended up playing twice. They drew 2-2 with Vaughan B, before coming out on top 2-0 at North Mississauga B later on in the week. The Sudbury Cyclones could only manage a point in their game, playing to a 1-1 stalemate with Vaughan B.
Also in the Central Conference this week, Rush Canada B topped North Mississauga B 4-1, Woodbridge B edged Oakville B 2-0 and then beat Rush B 4-3 away. Things did not get better for Oakville B, who fell 2-1 at Burlington B as well.
It was regular service for both Railway City and St. Catherines Roma Wolves of the Southwest Conference. The former enjoyed a four-goal haul in the second half to down Cambridge B, while the latter got past London B 2-0 in their match. Elsewhere, Guelph B and Tecumseh B drew 2-2, and Waterloo B edged Hamilton B 1-0.
Woodbridge B is now on top in the Central Conference, while Simcoe B and St. Catherines remain ahead in the Northeast and Southwest. There is a new side leading the wildcard race, with Railway City jumping ahead of Pickering B.
Master’s FA will be back in action next week with two games as they take on Whitby B and Simcoe B on the road. Richmond Hill is at Burlington B, while Sudbury hosts Oakville B. The Roma Wolves will play host to Hamilton B, and Railway has Guelph B at home.
LS PRO Quebec: L’International, West Ottawa With Key Wins
The Coupe du Quebec action continued over the last week in LS PRO as seven games transpired. Tuesday saw the first of two shock results, as CF L’International de Quebec defeated CS Levis-Est 4-2 at home. Eve-Marie Giroux got a hattrick for her side in the win.
Royal Beauport ran away with a 4-0 success at CS Trois-Rivieres on Wednesday, before West Ottawa SC pulled off a 2-1 win against AS Gatineau on Thursday. A late first half comeback gave the capital club the unexpected result.
Ottawa South United enjoyed a comfortable 5-0 win away to fellow Ligue 1 club Lakeshore SC. AS Chaudiere-Ouest prevailed 3-0 over CS Fury de Rimouski, while Celtix du Haut-Richelieu scored for fun in a 9-1 rout over Mistral de Sherbrooke. Monday saw AS Blainville score eight in a dominant 8-0 thumping of interregional side Arsenal de Chambly.
Next week will see five games occur, starting with CS Boucherville hosting CS Longueuil on Tuesday. Wednesday’s matches have CS Fury de Rimouski host CS Trident, AS Laval take on FC Laval, Optimum de Victoriaville face CS Du Bas-Richelieu, and CS Lanaudiere-Nord battle Union Lanaudiere Sud.
Ligue 1 Quebec: Blainville Sends Longueuil to Relegation Playoffs
There was only one game in Ligue 1 Quebec, which decided the final spot in the title playoffs – as well as the relegation playoffs. At Parc Laurier, Nathalie Brunelle scored the only goal for AS Blainville as they edged CS Longueuil 1-0.
This is how the regular season ends, with Blainville finishing level on points with CS Mont Royal Outremont. Longueuil’s second defeat of the season means they will play in the relegation playoff, with Celtix du Haut-Richelieu holding onto sixth spot on goals scored.
Next week will see the playoffs start. In the title playoffs, Celtix welcomes Blainville, Royal Beauport faces Academie CF Montreal, and CSMRO heads to Chaudiere-Ouest.
In the relegation playoffs, Ottawa South United starts things off at home to CS St-Laurent, AS Laval meets Lakeshore SC in a crucial game for both teams, while Longueuil faces FC Laval.
Ligue 2 Quebec: AS Gatineau, Brossard With Vital Wins
All 10 Ligue 2 Quebec teams saw the field last week in a week with plenty of action. CS LaSalle kicked things off with a 2-0 defeat of Fury de Rimouski, before CS Trident edged Revolution FC 1-0 in Saint-Eustache thanks to Emy Desharnais’ winner.
AS Gatineau came out on top in a relegation six-pointer, edging CS Trois-Rivieres 1-0 away. It was even better for AS Brossard, who defeated CS Levis-Est 2-0 with goals in either half. It was the same score at Parc Pierre-Laporte as CS Boucherville got the better of CS St-Hubert.
LaSalle is back on top thanks to their win, going a point above Trident with seven matches left. The latter does have a game in hand, which could be crucial. At the bottom, Fury and Trois-Rivieres are the bottom two, with the gap to eighth spot increasing to five points now.
Fury will again begin the action next Saturday as they battle Trois-Rivieres in a must-watch game. St-Hubert faces AS Gatineau in their match, while Brossard hosts Trident, Levis-Est takes on Boucherville, and LaSalle meets Revolution.
Ligue 3 Quebec: Home Sides Shoot Blanks
In what is certainly a rarity, none of the four home teams in Ligue 3 Quebec this past week managed to score. Definitely a rare feature.
Sunday had all four games of the week, which started with a goalless draw between CF L’International de Quebec and Cosmos de Granby. CS Roussillon scored a 5-0 win at Phenix des Riviers as Aurelie Champagne netted a brace.
West Ottawa SC continued their strong season with a 4-0 result on the road at Union Lanaudiere Sud, while Mistral de Sherbrooke topped CS Du Bas-Richelieu 2-0 from a pair of first half markers.
West Ottawa stretched their lead at the top to three points over Victoriaville, who was not in action last week. Phenix des Rivieres stays bottom as they still look to avoid the drop.
It is a full week of play next Sunday, which will see Victoriaville return to action at home to Roussillon. CS Du Bas-Richelieu hosts International de Quebec, Mistral de Sherbrooke plays host to Union Lanaudiere Sud, and West Ottawa takes on Phenix des Rivieres. Cosmos will have the week off.
Header Image Photo Credit: Martin Bazyl
