Fri July 29, 2016 League 1 Ontario--Preview of Women's 2016 L1 Cup Final (from League 1 Ontario website)
Women's 2016 L1 Cup Final - Woodbridge v Vaughan - Preview 07/29/2016, 5:45pm EDT By League1 Ontario staff The L1 Cup double-header final between longstanding rivals Woodbridge Strikers and Vaughan Azzurri goes down on Saturday July 30 at the Ontario Soccer Centre, with the women kicking off first at 3:30 p.m. before the men take the pitch at 7 p.m. Let's take a closer look at the women's match... Both teams have been powerhouses in the league over the past couple seasons, with Woodbridge currently topping the league charts and Vaughan Azzurri returning to the women's L1 Cup final for the second year in a row. Both teams favour a possessive style, looking to maintain control over the ball and find gaps in the opponent's defence rather than rushing balls forward, so onlookers can expect to see a hotly contested midfield area in this final. In the Woodbridge side, a trio of April Syme, Alyscha Mottershead and Jalana Ellis anchor the team with an industrious and creative central midfield triangle. All three players bring high-level experience: Syme is a graduate of University of Florida; Mottershead has had stints with the Canada senior national team; and Ellis is currently playing varsity for Jackson State University in Mississippi. In opposition, look for York University standout Sarah Wong - a three time CIS first-team All-Canadian - to play an important role for Vaughan, with exciting attacking midfield prospect Ashley Nater adding some creative spark as well. Both teams have dangerous strike options, but Woodbridge edges this department. Christabel Oduro played professionally for Herforder SV in Germany this past winter, and returned to the league ready to make an impression. Her 12 goals to date put her second in the scoring race. Jessica Lisi is another name to watch. As 2015 League1 Ontario Young Player of the Year and Golden Boot winner, Lisi has the touch to create magical goals. An example played out earlier this week when Lisi came off the bench at the women's All-Star match to score a highlight reel chip from only twelve yards out. Woodbridge's strike options are bolstered further by the presence of Vladanka Gurovski (Oakland University), whose five goals in the last six matches make her a dangerous threat. Vaughan's strike options include York's Nour Ghoneim, a player that can hold up well as a target, and bring in Vaughan's dangerous midfield, triggering overlapping runs. Ghoneim has struggled for consistency this season, but she was named 2015 CIS Player Of The Year for good reason, leading both CIS and OUA with 18 goals in 16 matches. Both teams can brag a few secret (or somewhat secret) weapons as well. Vaughan keeper Stephanie Bukovec has shown she's not just a pair of safe hands of late, coming out of net to play centre-forward against FC London in the L1 Cup semi-final, scoring two goals in the process. Woodbridge has a Bukovec of their own however, with sister Natalie Bukovec facing her younger sibling in this derby. The youthful depth of both squads is equally interesting too, with Canada U17's Mikayla Dayes fresh off international duty in China set to come off the bench for Woodbridge, and Vaughan able to call upon York sophomore Kiyani Johnson and University of Toronto's Claudia Piazza. Still, form and head-to-head record can ultimately say a lot about how two teams will stack up against one another on the day, and in this department Woodbridge Strikers certainly has an edge. Woodbridge beat Vaughan 4-0 only a week ago in league play, and have an outstanding record this season with only one loss in twelve matches. Vaughan initially struggled in the league for form, getting only one win in five matches, but aside from the recent loss to Woodbridge the Azzurri has two wins and a draw in their last four outings. Vaughan dispatched Sanjaxx Lions (2-0) and FC London (3-2 in penalties) en route to the final, while Woodbridge finished off Kingston Clippers (7-1) and 2015 L1 Cup champs North Mississauga (2-1). Both teams have excellent defensive stats too (both sit on eight goals against in the league), so expect this match to be decided by the quality of strikers on the day. If Vaughan can keep the ball and play solid team defence against Woodbridge's strike options, look for this match to feature plenty of battles in the midfield third, with a cagey tactical battle playing out over ninety minutes. However, if any of the talented Woodbridge attackers can find a groove early on, and some crucial markers go up on the scoreboard, this one could become an end-to-end women's L1 Cup goalsfest in no time.
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