May 3, 2015 League 1 Ontario-- Vaughan Azzurri vs Toronto FC Academy (from League 1 Ontario website)

  
Oakville Blue Devils 5 - Sanjaxx Lions 0
. Mon May 4 

Oakville Blue Devils put on a true gala opening at Sheridan College Stadium, finishing out their League1 
Ontario opener as 5-0 victors over fellow debutantes Sanjaxx Lions.

The more experienced Blue Devils imposed themselves on the contest from the offing, dictating the pace 
and taking the game to the Lions. The pressure paid dividends in the 34' minute, as Anthony Doran 
received a pass from Tyler Wason and lashed it into the net.

Wason turned from provider to beneficiary in the 53' minute, as Filip Vilela set up his teammate to put 
the Devils ahead by a comfortable two-goal margin. Yet the Lions would hold on tenaciously, keeping the 
match within grasp. The Blue Devils would need to wait until the last quarter of the match to increase 
their tally.

A red card for Sanjaxx keeper Matt Zaikos after handling the ball outside his box left the Lions down 
a man for the final 15 minutes. Eduardo Felice scored off the ensuing free kick, and from there the 
Blue Devils had time and space to keep the ball, increasingly exerting pressure on the tiring Lions.

Blue Devils sub Jordan Roberts snagged the fourth in the 85' minute, before Christian Kusiewicz 
knocked in the rebound from a Macca Wilde shot to make it an even five on 89' minutes.

"The biggest challenge for our team was to work as one unit and remain cohesive and composed while 
competing hard, given that this was our first competitive league game as a team," said Lions head 
coach Laza Lowe. "The key moments in the match were when we conceded first goal late in the first 
half and when we went down one man in the second half."

Lowe also highlighted the hold-up play and vision of lone striker Nordo Gooden, who Blue Devils 
head coach Duncan Wilde also selected as a standout Lion.

"[Gooden], the striker, played up top on his own, and did very well holding up the ball and 
bringing players into play," said Wilde. "He gave us problems early on. Our biggest challenge 
was obviously not knowing the opposition."

Wilde highlighted Blue Devils captain Taylor McNamara as "the most composed player on the 
field," and Tyler Wason for his goal and assist performance, as the two Blue Devils' key 
players. Lowe selected Blue Devils' Nick Muth as his standout.

"The outstanding/MVP player for the other team was #5, their central defender, who 
demonstrated tenacity and excellent understanding of the game." 

"We will respond to it with a positive frame of mind, learn from the experience, and work 
to get better," concluded Lowe. "Time and experience together will result in more cohesive 
team play."

Next weekend (May 10), the Devils travel to Vaughan Grove to meet Woodbridge Strikers, while 
the Lions are on the road again, meeting Durham United F.C. on Friday May 8th. 

Lineups

Sanjaxx Lions
Matt Zaikos (GK, Dismissed 74'), Frank Brown (Quadir Adolphe 66'), Adam Talon (Joshua Bowyer 43'), 
Anthony Montalbano, Lael Daniel (Stefan Nikolic 58'), Mohammed Diaby, Nordo Gooden, 
Joseph Ikhuiwu (Aidan Zuccatti 87'), Shaquore Rousse (Danny Grant 74'), Rizwan Thawyer, Robert Baxter-Dennis

Oakville Blue Devils
Karman Saini (GK), Nick Muth, Chris Karafilov, Filipe Vilela (Macca Wilde 76'), Edoardo Filice, 
Tyler Wason (Khody Ellis 69'), Taylor McNamara, Anthony Doran, Travis Hurtis (Jordan Roberts, 77'), 
Hitesh Joshi (Paolo Rogato 69'), Max Hathaway (Christian Kusiewicz 57')

back to 2015 League 1 Ontario Men's index

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