10 October 2009
The Calgary Callies has done all that it can in its attempt to return to the Challenge Trophy final for a fourth consecutive year. Unfortunately, it will have to wait one more day for the outcome of the Hellas SC-Real Toronto match at the 2009 BMO National Championships in Saskatoon, SK. Hellas SC remains in the driving seat should it win and equal Calgary's nine points in group action.
The Callies won its third-straight match today, finishing its round-robin action with nine points in four games (3-0-1). Unfortunately, its one loss came against Winnipeg's Hellas SC, the one team that can catch Calgary on points. The first tie-breaker is head-to-head competition, so Hellas SC would finish first on account of its opening-day win against Calgary.
Hellas SC, meanwhile, finally showed a chink in its armor with an 0:3 loss to host Saskatoon Huskie Alumni. Hellas SC has six points after three matches (2-0-1), but still has one more day to reach nine points. A draw or loss will mean Hellas SC will finish second or lower.
Calgary's two goal scorers today were Felix Napuri and Chris Kooy. Saskatoon's three were Mark Korthius, Stephen Krieg and Nathan Reis.
In Group B action, it will be either Royal de Beauport or Holy Cross that finishes first and advances to the Challenge Trophy final. The Royal finished its group play with eight points and a +6 goal differential. It only picked up one point today in an 0:0 draw with Halifax City.
Holy Cross, meanwhile, won 5:0 over Yukon Strikers, improving its standings to five points and a +5 goal differential. Holy Cross can finish first if it wins by two or more goals on the final day against Halifax City. In the 5:0 win on Saturday, the Holy Cross goal scorers were Jon Hawco (two), Aaron Anstey, Corey Moore and Jeremy Babstock.
The 2009 BMO National Championships Challenge Trophy runs 7-12 October in Saskatoon, SK. Ten teams split into two groups play a round-robin competition from Wednesday through Sunday. The gold and bronze matches will be played Monday 12 October.
BMO Financial Group is proud to support soccer at all levels across Canada, from grassroots to Canadas national teams. Starting with sponsorship of more than 400 Canadian youth teams to the title support of elite youth players at the BMO National Championships, through to the professional-team support (Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC) and sponsorship of the Canadian mens and womens national soccer teams, BMO Financial Group is serious about Canadian soccer. For more information on BMOs support of soccer in Canada, visit bmosoccer.com.