2006 Men Ontario Cup Champions – Ottawa St. Anthony's Premier

Johnny Schieda is Golden! Vaughan, Monday, September 18, 2006 – In Sunday’s marquee match-up, the Ottawa St. Anthony’s Italia met rivals Scarborough GS United to decide who would become the 2006 Provincial Champion and move on to represent Ontario at the Club Nationals in Surrey, British Columbia, October 5-9. It took over 120 minutes, but in the end Ottawa St. Anthony’s beat out the defending National Champions by a score of 3 – 2. The turf at The Soccer Centre was the perfect canvas for these two teams to display their artistry in what can only be called a beautiful show of soccer. GS United were the first to get on the board when Gus Kouzmanis finished off a brilliant combination play with teammate Peter Firebrace. Firebrace won the ball off a St. Anthony’s defender and linked three consecutive passes together with his strike partner before Kouzmanis coolly hammered it home past the Ottawa keeper. Unfazed, St. Anthony’s kept their composure and were eventually rewarded when Abraham Osman’s diagonal run found him sneak behind a defender and, using only two touches, slide it past the goalie and into the back of the net. In the 42nd minute, GS United regained the lead and it was Kouzmanis again finding the twine. His skillful left-footed volley screamed into the top left corner leaving the keeper with no chance and the GS fans something to cheer about going into half-time. The second half began like the first with both teams exchanging long spells of possession. Neither side managed to create any clear-cut chances, however, as GS Untied’s Emil Calixterio and St. Anthony's Simon Bonk led their respective defenses with fearless tackles. With time winding down, Ottawa was frantically searching for an equalizer and had the lion’s share of possession, but GS United stood their ground like savvy veterans. Ottawa was limited to long-range shots and each time, GS keeper Brian Bowes was well positioned to make the save. Then, in the dying seconds of injury time, an Ottawa shot was deflected and Bowes scurried across his line to get to the ball. But the ball struck the post and rolled tantalizingly across the face of goal. Ottawa St. Anthony's was first to react and Kwame Telemaque eventually slotted it into the net. The goal was scored in the 93rd minute of play as the game was heading into Golden Goal over-time. The first over-time period decided nothing and, in the last minute of the second over-time period, everyone in attendance was preparing for a penalty shootout. But Ottawa St. Anthony’s Edgar Soglo had another idea. Just as he had been doing all game, Soglo used his lightning pace and made an incredible 50 yard run deep into the attacking third. Soglo dribbled to the edge of the penalty area and played the ball square into the path of teammate Johnny Schieda. Schieda made absolutely no mistake as he one-timed a rocket into the back of the GS United goal, sending his Ottawa team and fans into a frenzy. This final-seconds Golden Goal was a fitting way to end a memorable 2006 Ontario Cup! Congratulations to both teams for putting on a fantastic display, and good luck to the 2006 Provincial Champions, Ottawa St. Anthony’s Italia, as they head to B.C. looking to bring the Nationals trophy back home to Ontario. Reported by Joe Jesseau -- Competitions and Events Coordinator Photos -- Wolf Ruck / OSA