The U14 Boys Final between Woodbridge Soccer Club and Tecumseh United provided a dramatic afternoon at the Zanchin Automotive Soccer Centre on Sunday, with Woodbridge emerging victorious 3-2 in a tense penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1 in regulation.
Woodbridge wasted no time testing Tecumseh’s defense, with Adrian Sousa firing a shot from range in the opening minute, though it soared over the crossbar. Both sides struggled to convert early opportunities, setting the stage for a tightly contested match.
Tecumseh’s first real threat came in the 23rd minute when Dominik Adisho forced a diving save from Woodbridge goalkeeper Reid Way, who skillfully pushed the shot away. Just a minute later, Luka Murgic aimed a header off a corner kick, but the attempt missed the target.
Woodbridge had their own chances, with Ru’Neil Mullings trying his luck from distance in the 38th minute, only to see his effort fly over the crossbar. On the other side, Tecumseh’s Jules Monde came close with a left-footed strike in the 31st minute, but Way once again denied the goal with a diving block.
The second half continued in the same vein, with both teams battling for the breakthrough. In the 50th minute, Tecumseh’s Dimitri Wasiluk found the side netting with a close-range attempt. Two minutes later, Biola Fawehinmi got on the end of a corner kick, but Way was there to catch his header and keep the match scoreless.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 63rd minute. Luka Cascherra of Woodbridge saw his initial shot blocked but remained composed, regaining possession and unleashing a powerful strike from distance into the high corner to give his side a 1-0 lead.
Just when it seemed like Woodbridge had secured the title, Tecumseh delivered a last-gasp equalizer in stoppage time. Off a well-placed free kick, Jules Monde rose above the defense and nodded in a crucial header, tying the game 1-1 and forcing a penalty shootout.
The shootout was as intense as the match itself, with both goalkeepers making impressive stops. In the end, it was Woodbridge who held their nerve, edging out Tecumseh 3-2 in penalties, with Cuk converting the decisive spot kick to secure the championship.
Watch the full match on the Ontario Soccer YouTube channel.
Visit the Ontario Soccer Facebook page to see the full photo album.
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