October 3, 2005 CPSL details of tonight's game (from CPSL website)
DEFENDING CHAMPS TORONTO CROATIA END REGULAR SEASON ON WINNING NOTE
Monday - October 3, 2005
LATEST PLAYOFF NEWS
Defending champions Toronto Croatia ended their regular season campaign on a winning note with a 3-2 defeat of London City in ideal conditions at the still picturesque Streetsville Memorial Park in Mississauga Monday. It was also the last game of 2005 regular season in the Canadian Professional Soccer League which kicked off last May 21 at Windsor Stadium.
Antonijo Zupan opened the scoring for Toronto Croatia when he converted a penalty kick at the 9th minute and London's Paul O'Hare tied the game 1-1 at 22 minutes. Midfielder Caswain Mason put the home side in front 2-1 at the 53rd minute mark and Edin Kalic increased the lead to 3-1 at the 76th minute. London's Keith Andrew cut the lead at 89 minutes for a final 3-2 score.
Toronto Croatia ended their regular season with the runner-up position with a 13-3-6 record for 45 points, with conference winner Vaughan Shooters on top with 51 points. It was a back-and-forth struggle for most of the season until Shooters opened a gap in the final two weeks to take the conference title. London City were impressive early in the campaign and held on to the top position in the Western Conference for the first month but injuries took there toll and the Southwestern Ontario team slipped gradually down the standings to finish at the foot of their division.
Toronto Croatia now move to the playoffs in an attempt to win the CPSL Championship two years running.
Canadian Professional Soccer League Upcoming Playoffs and Annual Awards Night
All the details at a glance:
Whos in the playoffs?
Vaughan Shooters, Toronto Croatia, Laval Dynamites and North York Astros in the east, Hamilton Thunder, Oakville Blue Devils and Border Stars in the west.
Who's to come?
Thats it all seven teams are decided.
Whos playing and where?
Game 1: Toronto Croatia, the second place team in the east will play at home in a one-game decider against the third place team Laval Dynamites. The venue has yet to be decided, but is tentatively set for Wednesday, October 5. The winner meets North York Astros in the wild card game at Esther Shiner on Friday night.
Game 2. Winner of Game 1 to meet North York Astros in a wild card game at Esther Shiner Stadium, the championship host ground, on Friday, October 7, at 8 pm. The winner advances to the semifinals.
Game 3: Second place team in the west, Hamilton Thunder, will play a one-game decider against the third place team, Border Stars, for a semifinal berth. This game is also tentatively set for Wednesday, October 5.
Game 4: First semifinal game at Esther Shiner Stadium on Saturday, October 8, a 2 pm kickoff. This will be Oakville Blue Devils vs. Hamilton Thunder or Windsor Border Stars.
Game 5: Second semifinal game at Esther Shiner Stadium on Saturday, October 8, a 5 pm kickoff. This will be Vaughan Shooters vs. Toronto Croatia, Laval Dynamites or North York Astros.
Game 6: CPSL Championship Final at Esther Shiner Stadium on Monday, October 10, a 4 pm kickoff.
Who receives what on the Awards Night?
The CPSL Annual Awards night is on Sunday, October 9 when most of the awards are presented. Thats the eve of the championship final game so the championship presentation will be made after the game the next day.
The Awards Banquet is at the La Contessa Banquet Hall, 69 Milvan Drive, Toronto. Ticket and other information can be obtained from 416 240-1718 or at the CPSL office at 905 856-5439. You may e-mail at info@northyorkastros.ca Tickets are available to fans and enquiries are welcome.
The two leading goalscorers favoured to win the goalscoring title to Monday, October 3:
Aaron Byrd (Border Stars)
20
Gabriel Pop (Oakville Blue Devils)
....17
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