July 19/08 Toronto Lady Lynx vs Hamilton

[Rocket Robin]

I was at the MLS game between TFC and San Jose so missed this game. Looks like it would have been more entertaining than what I did see.

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TORONTO LADY LYNX GAME REPORT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESENTED BY CAW - THE CANADIAN AUTO WORKERS UNION

Lady Lynx Stop Avalanche Cold

Close out 2008 regular season home schedule with 4-1 victory over Hamilton

Date: July 19, 2008

Venue: Varsity Centre, Toronto, ON

Kick Off Time: 4:00 PM EDT

Final Score: Toronto 4 (2) Hamilton 1 (0)

Match Summary:

The Toronto Lady Lynx equalled their franchise record for wins in a season this afternoon, recording their eleventh of the year with a resounding 4-1 victory over the visiting Hamilton Lady Avalanche. The win raises Toronto’s record to an impeccable 11-1-1 (32 points) on the season, and moves them back into first place in the Northern Division, one point ahead of the Ottawa Fury, who take to the field later this afternoon against Vermont. Toronto could clinch the division crown with a victory in Rochester tomorrow and an Ottawa loss in either Vermont or Western Mass tonight or tomorrow. Hamilton drops to 5-5-3 (18 points) on the season, and the loss officially eliminates them from the playoff picture. Both the Lady Lynx and the Fury have clinched postseason berths, while the Laval Comets and the Rochester Rhinos remain in contention for the final Northern Division playoff slot.

Toronto got off to a solid start in the muggy conditions, and managed two quick first-half goals to stake an early lead. Brittany Bisnott potted her tenth of the season in the 20th minute to establish a 1-0 cushion for the hosts. Hamilton keeper Rosi Couture’s clearance was deflected off the Lady Lynx’ Kelsi Landry, and onto the boot of Bisnott. The former Lady Avalanche striker quickly buried it past Couture, and Toronto had the lead. Alyssa Lagonia made the score 2-nil five minutes later with her first-ever W-League goal. The Kitchener native picked up a loose ball about 25 yards in front on the Lady Avalanche goal, and launched a lethal blast at the net. The ball found the top left corner, making the score 2-0 in favour of Toronto.

Hamilton fought back following the break, and cut the Toronto lead in half in the 54th minute. Former Lady Lynx Heather MacDougall found Kelly Heaton unmarked, and the forward beat keeper Elise Kuhar-Pitters to make the score 2-1 in the Lady Lynx’ favour. Toronto was unfazed by the goal, and quickly regained control of the match, not allowing the Lady Avalanche to gain any momentum from the goal.

Becky Carreiro helped salt away the game for the Lady Lynx in the late going, setting up two goals, in the 66th and 78th minute respectively. The forward from Mississauga first set up Brooke McCalla, before assisting on Tessa Dimitrakopoulos’ fifth of the year to round out the scoring. The two assists were the first two points of Carreiro’s young career.

Prior to kick-off, the annual Toronto Lady Lynx Player Awards were presented on the field. Mississauga’s Alicia Donaldson was named Rookie of the Year on the strength of her six goals so far this season, while midfielder Alyscha Mottershead was named Fan Favourite as selected by Lady Lynx fans. Bisnott, whose ten goals lead Toronto, earned Best Offensive Player and team captain Landry was selected as Best Defensive Player. Veteran Stefania Morra was voted Most Valuable Player as selected by the Toronto media.

The Lady Lynx close out their 2008 regular season schedule tomorrow afternoon at PAETEC Park in Rochester with a 2:00 PM kick-off against the Rhinos. Toronto will then head to the W-League playoffs, and are tentatively scheduled to host a Northern Division playoff game on Wednesday evening, July 23, at 7:30 PM at Centennial Park Stadium. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Lynx ticket hotline at 416-251-4625 x 31, or at the Centennial Park Stadium box office one hour prior to kick-off.

Final Score: Toronto 4 (2) Hamilton 1 (0)

Lineups:

Toronto: Kuhar-Pitters, Beckles, Landry, Chapman, Baggs (Afonso, 70), Bazi (Carreiro, 62), Lagonia, Donaldson (McCalla, 45), Bernard (Dimitrakopoulos, 45), Bisnott (Markowitz, 74), Morra (Shimoda, 70)

Hamilton: Couture, Schroder (Celesk, 74), Edgar, Melander, Mol, Heydron (Northrup, 89), Greco, Kukla, MacDougall, Marler (Federovich, 80), Heaton

Officials:

Referee: Giuseppe Politi

Referee’s Assistants: Vito Curalli and Steve Senderovich

4th Official: Daniel Di Pasquale

Cautions:

Toronto: 1 (Bazi, 57)

Hamilton: 1 (MacDougall, 57)

Ejections:

Toronto: 0

Hamilton: 0

Shots: Toronto 14 Hamilton 7

Saves: Toronto 3 Hamilton 1

Fouls: Toronto 8 Hamilton 7

Offsides: Toronto 5 Hamilton 4

Corners: Toronto 9 Hamilton 4

Scorers:

Toronto:

20’ Bisnott

25’ Lagonia

66’ McCalla (Carreiro)

78’ Dimitrakopoulos (Carreiro)

Hamilton:

54’ Heaton (MacDougall)

The Lady Lynx’ next game is away to Rochester tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 PM at PAETEC Park to close out the 2008 W-League Regular Season.