The Rovers women continued their winning ways this past weekend, beating the Woodbridge Strikers on the road, 2-1, at Vaughan Grove.
The Rovers came into the match riding high, having beaten perennial contender NDC the week prior.
With the win, the Rovers now sit in second place with a 3-1 record.
With Rovers captain Adriane Devlin making her 50th appearance for the club, the Rovers and Woodbridge played a scoreless first half and went into the break looking for the all-important first goal.
The breakthrough came in the 70th minute, when Rovers striker Stefanie Young scored after a nice buildup to make it 1-0.
The Rovers continued to attack and found the important second goal three minutes later on a fine strike from striker Ally Rowe.
Both Young and Rowe scored for the Rovers’ last match against NDC and continued their fine run of form.
Woodbridge pulled one back in the 80th minute, but the Rovers defended well and saw the game out.
Final score was 2-1 for the Rovers.
Striker Stefanie Young now has three goals in four matches and striker Ally Rowe has two goals in four matches.
The club is getting excellent production from their two new signings early in the season.
“Any time you go away to Woodbridge, you know you’re in for a tough match,” said head coach Zack Wilson. “They are a tough team with a strong veteran core. We didn’t play our best football, but we stuck to the plan and stayed together, and that commitment paid off in the second half.
"When you’re not at your best and still find ways, that’s a sign of a great team," the coach added.
“What’s been just as encouraging is how quickly the group is coming together. Many hadn’t played with each other before, and now you can see how much they enjoy being around one another. Stef and Ally have been leading the way up front, but it’s taken a full team effort to create those chances and put them away," Wilson said. "I’m proud of the group’s collective commitment and excited to keep building. The ladies played with heart and determination. They were disciplined on the defensive side of the ball, while attacking with pace and creativity.”
Young echoed her coach’s sentiments.
“I think our success as a team has resulted from trusting and supporting one another. This allows Ally and I to work together to try new things and hopefully keep scoring more goals," she said. "Working alongside Ally has been nothing short of a great time. From the start, we have fed off each other and we complement each other’s strengths.”
Rowe also likes the early chemistry that has developed between the two.
“Playing with Stef has been a breeze. As strikers it’s important to work together and understand one another and that is us," she said. "Plus, we complement one another well. I have the killer right foot, and she has the killer left foot. I was always told growing up that playing soccer was a privilege, not a must, and it’s a privilege to play up top with Stef and with all the great players we have on this team.”
The Rovers men were at home to face arch rivals Vaughan. The matches played between these sides are physical affairs and never lack emotion and drama.
With a record of one win, one loss and one tie, the Rovers were looking to feed off the home crowd and secure a much-needed three points.
The first half was a see-saw affair that saw both clubs struggle to find offensive flow. The Rovers struck first on a goal by midfielder Micah Joseph after a nice buildup from the back and a deep penetrating run by winger Nakye Greenidge-Duncan, who cut the ball back across the box for Joseph to slot home.
The Rovers went into the half nursing a 1-0 lead, but coach Doneil Henry had to be thinking of tactical changes for the second half to get more out of his team.
The changes for the Rovers came early in the second half as Henry made three substitutions in preparation for the moves Vaughan was sure to make with hopes of finding the tying goal.
Henry brought in striker Benny Tesfaye for midfielder Shawn-Claud Lawson, defender Luc Ihama for midfielder Greenidge-Duncan and defender Keegan Wilson for striker Riley Wishart between the 52nd and 58th minutes.
Vaughan made their counter in the 58th minute, bringing firepower onto the pitch with stalwarts Chris Campoli, Raheem Rose and former Rovers striker Ethan Beckford entering the fray. Veteran midfielder Andy Baquero entered in the 72nd minute to provide support.
Intensity increased, as did the physicality, which led to several fouls and a yellow card for Vaughan.
In the 75th minute, after a hard foul on Rovers winger Reshaun Walkes, the Rovers received a free kick outside the 18-yard box.
Striker Benny Tesfaye stepped up and curled a strike from 20-plus yards into the top corner of the net. It was a stunning goal that put the Rovers up 2-0 with 15 minutes left in regulation time.
Those who know these two teams understood the game was far from over. Coach Henry made defensive changes in the 80th minute to try and see out the game.
Vaughan cut the lead to 2-1 in the 82nd minute. The next eight minutes saw the Rovers withstand immense pressure from Vaughan as they tried to equalize.
At the 90-minute mark, the referee indicated five minutes of extra time. As the clock ran past the 95th minute, Rovers coaches and fans were livid the game wasn’t called for time.
Vaughan came in waves, drawing corner kicks and free kicks with multiple opportunities to score. Disaster struck in the 90 plus seven as Vaughan toed one over the line after a goal mouth scramble to tie the game.
The referee blew the final whistle once the game restarted, and the game ended in a 2-2 tie.
Coach Doneil Henry wasn’t thrilled at the final whistle.
“That’s two consecutive games where we played strong opponents and weren’t able to close the games out. Regardless of the circumstances I’ve always prepared my team to dominate areas where we are in control. I’m not happy with the results, but also recognize we aren’t losing games.
“I know with more match fitness and rhythm we will get going and win these types of games,” added Henry. “I’m happy with the progress and the team camaraderie. We’ve played attractive football at times.”
The Rovers women won a League1 Cup match against Pickering FC on May 13. They will advance into the next round as a result. The cup format is single-game elimination, win and move on to the next round. Lose, you are out.
The next league match for the women is May 20 versus Guelph.
The men are on the road at Downsview Park on May 16 to play North Toronto. Kick-off is at 7 p.m.
