Halifax City wins sixth provincial title in seven years
August 25th, 2009
Halifax City has won its sixth provincial title in the last seven years after upsetting Halifax Dunbrack in the Nova Scotia Soccer League final. Kevin Steeves, Trevor Reddick and Jonathan Hammond scored within a 12-minute span late in the first half en route to a 3:2 victory in the playoff final. As such, Halifax City has qualified for the 2009 BMO National Championships Challenge Trophy competition.
'We have an experienced team,' said coach Darrell Cormier. 'We are looking to win a medal at the nationals. I think if the right things fall into place, we can go out and win gold.'
Coach Cormier explains he has a team that can 'play with the best in Canada.' He made his first trip to the BMO National Championships with this group last year, putting up a brave fight against eventual champion Calgary Callies, but also coming up short against eventual bronze medalist Avondale Islanders. The team finished sixth in 2008, which follows performances of fourth in 2007, fifth in 2005, sixth in 2004 and sixth in 2003.
In the three-team NSSL playoffs, Halifax City had to win 2:0 over Valley Kings Arms to reach the final. Brian Francis scored in the third minute and Matthew Budreski scored in the 55th minute. Halifax City then met Halifax Dunbrack who had a bye to the final after an undefeated regular season. Halifax Dunbrack had even defeated Halifax City twice during the regular season.
In the final, televised locally on Eastlink, Halifax City won with the three goals in the first half. Halifax Dunbrack came back to score in the 47th minute (Derek Gaudet) and 84th minute (Mike Marsh), but was unable to score the equaliser.
'It was definitely a tale of two halves for us,' said Cormier. 'They changed their shape and got energy from that first goal early in the second half. We dealt with it and our goalie made some good saves.'
Cormier’s starting XI for the final was Graham Little in goal, Rory Kennedy, Shane Rajaraman, Jamie Sawler and Trevor Reddick on defence, Carl Esminger, Matthew Houston and Brian Francis in central midfield, Ian Kelly and Kevin Steeves on the wings, and Jonathan Hammond up front.
In terms of experience, the 2009 roster features 12 players that took part in the 2008 BMO National Championships under Cormier. Ten players (eight from 2008 plus two others) took part in the 2007 BMO National Championships under former coach Jack Hutchison.
One newcomer to the 2009 roster is in fact a former Challenge Trophy champion. Defender Reddick helped Halifax King of Donair become the first Nova Scotia club to win the senior men’s national championship back in 2001.
Article courtesy of canadasoccer.com.
Halifax Dunbrack wins provincial title
August 25th, 2009
Halifax Dunbrack has won the 2009 Nova Scotia Soccer League provincial title, winning 3:1 over defending national champions Halifax City. Midfielder Julie Lawrence scored two goals in the final while forward Kate MacDonald scored what turned out to be the winning goal. Halifax Dunbrack built a 3-0 lead before Halifax City's Nkem Ezurike scored late in the game.
Both Halifax Dunbrack and Halifax City had already qualified for the 2009 BMO National Championships Jubilee Trophy competition. As a result of a draw, Nova Scotia was awarded two spots for this year's eight-team competition. Halifax City secured its spot in the provincial final by finishing first in the regular season; Halifax Dunbrack secured its spot in the final after winning 1:0 after extra time against Scotia Elegant Flooring in the playoffs.
"Our team didn't run away from the more experienced Halifax City," said Halifax Dunbrack coach Jack Hutchison. "It was probably our most aggressive game and we did not allow them to have any time with the ball. They simply have way, way too much experience to give them time on the ball."
It took just over 30 minutes for Halifax Dunbrack to break the deadlock in the Nova Scotia Soccer League final. Lawrence scored the opening goal in the 32nd minute, following through on a great play created by the league's most valuable player Leanne Huck. Huck drove the ball low inside the six-yard box and the Halifax City goalkeeper got a bit of the ball to keep it out. Lawrence, however, was there to capitalize on the rebound.
In the following minute, Halifax Dunbrack made it 2-0 on a play that caught the opposition off guard. MacDonald spotted the goalkeeper at the 18-yard line and took advantage to fire her shot over her head and into the net.
Early in the second half, Lawrence made it 3-0 after a corner kick fell in the box beyond two players that went up to head the ball. Lawrence was in the right place to record her second goal on the day. Halifax City got one back late in the game on a good play by Ezurike, but it was too little too late from the defending champions.
Halifax Dunbrack's play of the game was likely Kim Hardy's big save shortly before her teammates started to score goals. Hardy made a brilliant diving save on a hard shot by Leah Robinson.
"It was an awesome save, one made for television," said Hutchison. "(Hardy) knew she was hurt, but she wanted to finish the game. The impact of the shot snapped her arm."
Indeed, Hardy and the club found out after the game that her arm was broken. Hardy's availability for October's BMO National Championships is questionable, unless she returns out of goal to her natural position on defence.
For the Nova Scotia Soccer League final, Hutchison's starting XI featured Hardy in goal, Jeanette Huck, Melanie Clarke, Lianna deKoe and Amanda Henry on defence, Teresa Morrison, Sarah Farquharson, Eugenia Renderos and Julie Lawrence at midfield, and Kate MacDonald and Leanne Huck at forward.
Some of Halifax Dunbrack's players have been to the BMO National Championships with other clubs in the past, but never together as this group. Lawrence, Clarke and Leanne Huck in fact won silver medals in 2006 with HCU Athens. The 2009 BMO National Championships will be Halifax Dunbrack's first entry to the Jubilee Trophy competition.
Article courtesy of canadasoccer.com.