Brampton Guardian: Hitmen Unbeaten in Nine
Hitmen unbeaten in nine
August 31, 2003
ROBIN INSCOE
The Brampton Hitmen are hitting lofty heights these days.
The local entry in the Canadian Professional Soccer League is atop the West Divisions standing with an impressive 7-1-3 won-loss-tie mark. Last Sunday, they romped past the Laval Dynamite 4-0 at Victoria Park Stadium. With the win they have 24 points and are six points ahead of the second place Hamilton Thunder.
Unbeaten in their last nine outings, the Hitmen have already smashed their point total from last season. They finished sixth in the West Division last season with a 4-10-5 mark for 17 points.
"Actually we didn't play that well," admitted coach Steve Nijjar of the win. "We could have played better."
The loss dropped the Laval to 5-5-0 on the year.
And while Nijjar didn't think the Hitmen brought their 'A' game-- especially in the opening half, he's pleased by the overall results.
"I'm thrilled, I'm very happy," admitted Nijjar, who also owns the team. "But we always have to be looking ahead. We've got to be cautious."
The Hitmen needed half of Sunday's contest to hit stride.
In fact, it wasn't until the 65th minute that captain Phil Ionadi found the back of the net for the game's first goal.
Ionadi added another on a penalty shot five minutes later, giving him nine on the year, and the rout was on.
Alex Morrison scored his first of the campaign in the 72nd minute and Jon Bustamonte rounded out the scoring at the 88-minute mark.
"This team is close," noted Nijjar, when asked the reason for the turn around this year. "These guys go to bat for each other. I think we've shocked a lot of people."
The Hitmen will be back in action on Thursday when they are on the road to the Metro Lions. Next Sunday, Sept. 7, the Hitmen will host their cross-Peel rivals, the Mississauga Olympians, in a 4 p.m. contest at Victoria Park Stadium.
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