Sun May 29, 2016 League 1 Ontario L1O--Kingston Clippers vs Vaughan Azzurri (from League 1 Ontario website)

Kingston Men Draw With Vaughan Azzurri After Last Minute Strike
05/30/2016, 5:15pm EDT
By League1 Ontario staff

Kingston Clippers showed their "bouncebackability" again in matchweek 
five after an extra time own goal from the men's side brought them 
level at 2-2 with western division powerhouse Vaughan Azzurri, just 
a day after the Clippers' women manufactured a similarly 
late resurgence. 

"So obviously the group of lads, we keep saying it, is a fantastic 
group," said Kingston technical director, Chris Eveleigh. 
"They have that resilience."

"It's starting to happen on the girls side too, throughout the 
club we are seeing the effects. The boys are working hard 
on the field, and helping mentor throughout the club, and their 
never say die attitude is infectious."

The Azzurri had started the match promisingly, with 
Mario Kovacevic (9') outjumping his defender at back post 
to put his glancing header out of reach of Kingston 
net-minder Dustin Kemp. 

Clippers' captain Eric Koskins (44') showed the mettle 
of the home team just before the end of the half however, 
getting in front of his defender at near post for an easy 
tap-in to keep the score level. 

A poor Kingston clearance just after the interval led 
to Kovacevic (48') being found alone in on Kemp, who was 
well off his line, and the striker made simple work 
of his right-footed lob into the open net.

Despite long periods of good possessive play, Vaughan could 
either not create enough quality goal-scoring opportunities, 
or simply couldn't finish the ones they did create. 

"We should have buried our chances in the first half which 
probably would have given us a better outcome," said Vaughan 
assistant coach, Wayne Mills. "[Weather] conditions were 
tough for everybody but at the end of the day we should 
have buried our chances."

Kingston, on the other hand, kept their heads about them 
and waited for an opportunity. In the final minutes 
of extra time, it presented itself. A massive throw into 
the box by Kristian Zanette couldn't be held 
by Vaughan GK Jared Brown and dropped into the net. 

"It was a long throw, and the coach just wanted 
me to stand up by the keeper," said striker 
Patrick Van Belleghem. "I jumped up with him and 
I think I must have screened him. I think it was an own 
goal to be honest."

Vaughan head home to McNaughton Turf in matchweek six, 
taking on Durham United FA on June 4 (3 p.m.). 

Kingston is also in action on June 4 (3 p.m.), facing 
Toronto Skillz FC at Queen's University Tindall Field.

back to 2016 League 1 Ontario Men's index

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