September 5, 2005 CPSL Open Canada Cup Final (from CPSL website)
BORDER STARS SPARKLE IN SECOND HALF OPEN CANADA CUP VICTORY
Monday - September 5, 2005
Windsor Border Stars won their second Open Canada Cup in succession with a 3-0 defeat of London City at the Cove Road ground at London Monday.
The border team, supported by sponsors and fans from Windsor and the parts of Michigan, scored three goals after the interval following a scoreless first half to carry off a trophy now in its fourth year and designed to expand into a championship for senior amateur and professional clubs across Canada.
Border Stars’ forward Radek Papiez struck the first two goals at 49 and 51 minutes and these were followed by a goal by midfielder Aaron Byrd at 82 minutes to complete the scoring.
To reach the final, Border Stars defeated Laval Dynamites 5-0 and London City edged Vaughan Shooters 3-2 in the semifinals Sunday.
This is the second year Border Stars have won the Open Canada Cup, having defeated Ottawa St. Anthony Italia in penalty kicks following overtime in 2004. It is the team’s third major title since launching last season, having won the American Indoor Soccer League (AISL) title last winter.
Asked about the weekend’s sudden success while the team has struggled at the foot of the Western Conference all season, Border Stars’ Jeff Hodgson said: “We’ve had a tough year so far, but many of our players are a bit older with a lot of experience and come through when it really counts. We’re going for a playoff spot now.”
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