Ottawa Sun: Wizards still Turning Heads in CPSL

Wizards still turning heads in CPSL

By TIM BAINES, Ottawa Sun

 One season ago, the expansion Ottawa Wizards were the first-year darlings of the Canadian Professional Soccer League, stunning a long list of opponents with quickness, solid defence, a deadly scoring touch and superb goaltending.
Not much has changed in a year, except opponents are no longer shocked when they lose to the rock-solid Wizards, who close out their regular season today with fan appreciation night at Oz Optics Stadium.
"We thought there might be a bit of a difference from last year," said Wizards GM Jim Lianos. "We thought maybe we snuck up on a few teams, maybe it wouldn't be the same. But we've really stepped it up."
Indeed.
The Wizards have already repeated as league champions, and also again won the league's Canada Cup. Next up is the Rogers Cup next weekend. With 15 wins and two ties, the Wizards have lost just once all year.
Once again, Kevin Nelson is the league's top scorer with 17 goals. He's often set up by Abraham Osman, who has 12 goals and 14 assists.
Rookie Sabrahima Traore has stepped in for last year's superb goalkeeper, Richard Goddard, who was loaned to the A-League Charlotte Eagles.
Traore has 14 shutouts.
Almonte's Russell Shaw has helped out on wing and defence.
Other key contributors include Kwame Talemaque, Nikola Brkljaca, Shurland David, Roger Groome, Abraham Francois, Danny Sanna, Peter Mponda and Robin Hard.
"We've had a few additions, but the nucleus is back this year," said Lianos. "It's a good idea to have that nucleus. For us, we do well when we play together. It's consistency."
Tonight's game, against Montreal, begins at 8:30 p.m.

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