May 15, 2017 League 1 Ontario Match Recap: Sanjaxx Lions vs Windsor TFC Stars (from League 1 Ontario website)

Match Recap: Sanjaxx Lions 2 - 2 Windsor TFC
05/15/2017, 5:00pm EDT
By League1 Ontario staff

A cagey match between Sanjaxx Lions men and the visiting Windsor TFC on Matchweek Three 
ended in a 2-2 draw that aptly reflected the match-up between these two west 
division sides. 

"We had a good start to the game, and up until our first goal it was a very 
competitive game," said Sanjaxx assistant coach, Ramon McIntosh. 

"I think the two teams were feeling out each other, and we went up 2-0 in the 
first half after we settled down, figured out a couple things, and caught them 
on a counter a couple times."

"In the second half we came out complacent. A two nothing lead is the worst lead, 
and last time we had a lead like that here we had a similar situation develop. 
We thought we didn't play well that day, but today we thought we had a far more 
complete performance."

"I think there were about fifteen minutes today where our guys were complacent 
and didn't compete, and that cost us a penalty and another goal. We had some 
chances after that, but were unable to capitalize and so we come away with the 
one point today." 

Hilliard Serrao (29') and Antonio Downey (31') struck within two minutes 
of each other and put the Lions up by two, but Windsor's Celso Carapau (35', 49') 
got goals either side of the half-time break to ensure the team wouldn't go home 
empty-handed.

"I think the boys responded well after going down 2-0," said Windsor head coach 
Zibby Piatkiewicz. 

"We got one back and went to our dressing room at 2-1 and we had a little talk. 
We discussed the first half, adjusted, and came out to play the second half 
and we had a good response. We tied the game at 2-2 and I think overall we 
controlled the game. A couple mistakes in the middle cost us, two turnovers 
and that was it."

Sanjaxx have had strong performances for much of their opening three matches, 
but come away with two draws and a loss from the early going. McIntosh thought 
the team should have been able to harvest more points from their early season 
match pattern, but that positive signs were evident.

"Right now it is early in the year so we feel as though we should have more 
like seven or more points instead of the two points that we have," he said. 
"Even those draw have felt like losses, but for the technical staff itself 
we are more concerned with the process of the team developing and doing what 
we're looking for. We know the wins will come."

"Today we thought the performance was much better than the first two," he said. 

"The first game had the same result, but in terms of how we are playing we feel 
we are playing much better football now. There are certain things we need 
to improve upon of course, but we are much further ahead than we were a couple 
weeks ago."

Windsor has a win, loss, and draw from their opening three matches of 2017, with 
forward Celso Carapau scoring the entirety of the team's goals. Piatkiewicz 
was not concerned about only one player supplying all the firepower thus far. 

"I don't care who scores the goals, if they come - let's get them," he said. 
"If they come from one player, who cares. We have to find other ways to score, 
but I don't care who scores goals."

"We have other options but he has been at the right spot every time. We win 
as a team and lose as a team. If he doesn't score than someone else will. 
At this point, three games into the season he is the one who is doing the 
scoring. It's okay."

Sanjaxx Lions will next play Sigma FC on Sunday May 21 
at Monarch Park, Toronto.

Windsor TFC will next play Pro Stars FC on Sunday May 21 
at University of Windsor Stadium, Windsor.

back to 2017 League 1 Ontario Men's index

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