The Simcoe County Rovers women were on the road Sunday to face Vaughan and collect three points as the battle for top spot heats up in the League1 ON Premier division. The Rovers were coming off a heartbreaking loss on penalty kicks in the League1 ON Cup semis against the North Toronto Nitros and needed to regroup against rivals Vaughan.
As they have done for the majority of the season the Rovers got off to a quick start and pressed for the opening goal. Strike Ally Rowe continued her torrid scoring streak, finding the back of the net in the 14th minute and again in the 27th minute. Rowe now has an incredible 14 goals in 13 matches played and is the top scorer in League 1 ON. Her goal scoring prowess was recognized by League1 as she was awarded Team on the Month Honours for June.
The 2-0 halftime lead was more than enough, and the Rovers saw the game through, keeping a clean sheet in the second half for the win.
The Rovers sit one point behind league leaders NDC who beat London FC 4-0.
Coach Zack Wilson was pleased with the effort.
“Thursday’s Cup semi-finals loss to North Toronto on penalties was tough to take,” said Head Coach Zack Wilson. “We hit the post twice and on another night the ball might have bounced our way, but that’s football.
“To turn around after that and go on the road against a top side like Vaughan show the resilience of the group. Vaughan is always a difficult opponent but our team persevered. Our group shows up every day with joy, commitment, and belief in one another. In League1, squads change year to year, and this group is making the most of every moment together. It’s a privilege to coach this team.”
The Rovers men were on the road to face 2024 League1 ON champions Scrosoppi after beating St. Catharines Roma 3-2 on June 27.
As has been the case a few times this season, the team gave up an early goal. It came in the 4th minute, and the Rovers found themselves down 1-0 just as they were settling into the game. The team showed character and resolve when they equalized on a goal by winger Aidan Hugo in the 16th minute.
The Rovers struck again in the 19th minute when striker Reshaun Walkes scored his sixth goal of the season. Captain and Rovers stalwart Shawn Claude Lawson scored his sixth of the season to give the Rovers a 3-1 lead. The half ended positively for the Rovers and the team went to the break feeling positive about their response.
The second half saw both teams make early substitutions and Scrosoppi pulled one back when striker Tomasz Skublak scored in the 58th minute.
The game swung back and forth with chances for both sides. Disaster for the Rovers stuck in the 80th minute when Scrosoppi equalized to make it 3-3.
No further goals were scored and the game finished in a hard fought 3-3 draw.
The Rovers now sit in fourth place with 5 wins, 3 losses and 5 draws after 13 matches played. It was a disappointing result for the team considering the halftime score and follows a pattern this season of losing leads late in the game.
The Simcoe County Rovers men travel to Ron Joyce Stadium to face Burlington SC on July 8 at 8 p.m. The Simcoe County Rovers women travel to Waterloo to face Waterloo United Women on July 9.
