The Simcoe County Rovers women travelled west along Highway 401 to face London FC under the lights at Tricar Field on Saturday. The Rovers have played exceptionally well this season and were looking to build on their previous game, a 2-0 win over Alliance United at J.C. Massie Field.
The Rovers got off to a good start when midfielder Jen Milligan found the back of the net in the 18th minute.
The Rovers held the lead into the halftime break.
In the second half, striker Ally Rowe continued her torrid goal-scoring pace when she netted in the 67th minute. Rowe now has seven goals in eight League1 matches.
Coach Zack Wilson leveraged his bench well, making defensive substitutions to see the game out.
The Rovers earned a well-deserved three points with a 2-0 win. After eight matches played the Rovers sit alone in first place in a tightly contested table.
"A very important and hard-earned win on the road against a well-organized London FC side," said Wilson. "Credit to them, they've been one of the toughest team to break down this season. Prior to this match, only the North Toronto Nitros and our club have been able to score more than one against them, which speaks volumes about their defensive structure and discipline.
"Playing at Tricar Field is never an easy task," added Wilson. "We knew going in that we were in for a challenge, and the first half reflected that. It wasn't up to the standard we've set for ourselves. At halftime, we had an honest conversation as a group. We've built a culture centred on trust, resilience and a strong mentality, and that showed in the second half."
"The response from the team was outstanding. They didn't shy away from the adversity; we faced it head on, adjusted our game and found a way to secure the win. These are moments that build belief and character. It's another step forward for us, not just in terms of the result, but how we earned it."
The team now sits in first place with a 6-1-1 record. Rivals NDC Ontario and Vaughan sit one point behind in the standings, making this an exciting race to watch as the midway point of the season nears.
The Rovers men travelled to Oakville on Sunday looking to collect points. Just one point separated the two clubs coming into the match though Oakville has played one fewer game to date.
The Rovers tied last game, picking up a hard-fought point against Alliance United away from home. In that match, the Rovers fought back from a 2-0 deficit and the match finished 2-2.
The first half was a see-saw battle that saw opportunities for the Rovers, but ended 0-0. Early in the second half, a missed defensive assignment by the Rovers led to an Oakville goal in the 47th minute. The Oakville goal was scored by former Rovers forward Jalen Watson.
The Rovers created a number of scoring chances throughout the half, but as has been the case throughout the season, the team could not find a goal to tie the game, and the match finished with a 1-0 loss.
Coach Doneil Henry was straightforward about the effort.
"The game was another failed opportunity to pick up points. A poor clearance and a poor reaction saw as down 1-0 early in the second half and we couldn't find a gaol to even things out," he said.
The Rovers men now prepare for a game versus rival Vaughan Azzurri in a League1 action Sunday, June 15 at 8 p.m. on the road. The Rovers men face Unionville-Milliken in a League1 ON Cup elimination game at J.C. Massie Field in Barrie on June 19 at 9 p.m.
The Rovers women host Guelph United at J.C. Massie Field on June 15. Match time is set for 6 p.m. The Rovers then welcome Whitby FC in a League1 ON Cup elimination game on June 18 at 9 p.m.
