July 25, 2006 USL Toronto Lynx and W-League Toronto Lady Lynx news (from Lynx media release)
TORONTO LYNX MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LADY LYNX BEGIN W-LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Head to Ottawa for First Round Matchup; Lynx host West Coast Foes
TUESDAY JULY 25, 2006[TORONTO, ON] The Lady Lynx begin the road to the W-League Championship tomorrow when they head east today to Ottawa to tackle the Fury in the first round of the W-League playoffs. The two squads will meet at Keith Harris Stadium in Ottawa at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, July 26 with the winner representing the Northern Division in the Eastern Conference Finals tournament being hosted by the New Jersey Wildcats on the weekend. This is the second trip to the playoffs in as many years for the Lady Lynx as they shoot to better their second place finish in the Eastern Conference from last season and qualify for the W-League finals in Vancouver on the weekend of August 4-6. The two squads will renew a rivalry that saw them draw 1-1 in Toronto in the final regular season home game for both clubs on Sunday evening. Ottawa was victorious in the Lady Lynx' only trip to Ottawa, a 2-1 score, on July 1.
The Lady Lynx head into the match the second seed in the division, finishing the regular season with a stellar 7-1-4 record (25 points), second only to the Fury (10-1-1, 31 points). Ottawa leads the all-time series 4-0-1, including a 2-1 win in Ottawa last season in the Eastern Conference final. 2006 Lady Lynx MVP Deana Everrett will miss the match, having not fully recovered form a shoulder injury suffered July 3 in Rochester.
Said Head Coach Danny Stewart, "We're excited to be in the playoffs, but our work is not done. We feel that we can beat Ottawa, as each time we play them, we get closer to beating them. We know we're in for an uphill battle, as they have such experienced players, but our young players are getting better with each game. If we stick to our game plan, we will set ourselves up for success."
LYNX PLACE TWO ON THE TEAM OF THE WEEK
The Toronto Lynx men placed two players on the USL First Division Team of the Week, recognizing their stellar play in a 1-1 draw in Rochester on Friday evening. Rick Titus earned his second such honour of the season, and again led a stingy Lynx defense which held the powerful Rhinos attack to only 1 goal on a penalty strike. Kevin Jeffrey scored the equalizer to gain the point for the visitors, heading home a laser of a cross by Edgar Bartolomeu, past a helpless Scott Vallow in the Rochester net. The goal was the first for Jeffrey in a Lynx uniform, and the 53rd of his A-League/USL-1 career.
BUSY WEEKEND AT CENTENNIAL PARK STADIUM
The Toronto Lynx host two matches this weekend at Centennial Part Stadium as they begin the second half of their home schedule. On Saturday evening, the Lynx host the Portland Timbers at 7:30 PM on Multicultural Night sponsored by CHIN International. The festivities will include appearances by Mr. and Miss CHIN Bikini 2006 as they perform the ceremonial kick-off prior to the match. Corporate partner Unico will be on hand passing out complimentary pasta at the gate to fans as they enter the stadium, while quantities last. This match in followed by a tilt with the defending USL-1 champion Seattle Sounders at 6:00 PM on Sunday for the annual East Meets West Night sponsored by World Journal. The National Karate Team will be on hand for a special demonstration at half-time. Canadian superstar and National Karate Team member Elvis Stojko, will also make a special appearance as he performs the ceremonial kick off.
The Lynx head into the match as one of the hottest teams in the league, having only lost one of their previous five matches and moving steadily towards the bulk of the clubs in the USL-1 table. Portland currently sits in 10th place in the table, with 20 points from 20 matches, while Seattle sits in a sixth place tie for the final playoff spot with 25 points from 19 matches. The Lynx currently occupy 12th place with 12 points from only 16 games.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
ROB IRWIN, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, TORONTO LYNX SOCCER CLUB
416-251-4625 ext. 23
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