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32 Sports Oakville Beaver www.aplushomes.ca Adam Campbell Broker of Record 905-844-4444 B R O K E R A G E I N D E P E N D E N T LY O W N E D A N D O P E R AT E D SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 Untimely slump costs Gunners Ontario Cup title By Jon Kuiperij managed to put four of its five shots past Gunners keeper Jonty More. The Azzurri held a 1-0 lead through most of reguUnfortunately for the high-scoring Oakville lation time, opening the scoring 10 minutes into the Gunners, they picked the most inopportune time to game, but Brandon Gregory -- recently returned from injury -- netted the equalizer with 15 minutes start firing blanks. The under-16 tier 1 boys' Oakville Soccer Club rep left. Gregory nearly gave Oakville the lead five minteam has uncharacteristically struggled to capitalize utes later, but his shot went over the net. "Even when (North York) scored first, I felt we on its opportunities in recent action, and it cost the Gunners in Sunday's Ontario Cup final at Vaughan's were good enough to come back and win the game," Ionadi said. "When we scored and tied it, I was just Ontario Soccer Centre. Despite heavily outchancing the North York waiting for the next goal to happen. And it didn't." The loss was particularly disapHearts Azzurri, Oakville fell to its pointing for the Gunners because of league rival 2-1 (4-3 in penalty kicks), "When we scored the opportunity to play in the U16 costing the Gunners a chance to com- and tied it, I was just nationals, slated for Oct. 8-13 in pete for a national championship next waiting for the next Sydney. Oakville, which won the USA month in Nova Scotia. Cup tournament earlier this year, had Oakville head coach Phil Ionadi said goal to happen. And been working towards that goal all seahis team, which had lost only two it didn't." son. games all season before being shut out As of last night (Tuesday), the in back-to-back contests last week, U16 Gunners coach Gunners still had a chance to win their seemed to carry that scoring slump Phil Ionadi Ontario Youth Soccer League title. into the Ontario Cup final. "I've been trying to figure out how our team that Oakville was scheduled to face North York again last has been so dominant all season struggled a little bit night at Pine Glen Park, and will close out the league in the (past) week," said Ionadi. "You work for seven season tonight (Wednesday) against Wexford. Ionadi was confident his club would rebound last months to put yourself in position (for an Ontario Cup title), and all of a sudden the bounces weren't night. "They have to. There is no other option. You live there. Their goalie made two unbelievable saves on breakaways. Sometimes you just tip your hat to the once, so you might as well give it your all," said the coach, who took over the Gunners last season and other team." Chris Karafilov, John Nardozzi and Sebastian oversaw a six-place leap in the standings this year. Novais scored on Oakville's first three attempts in the "It's been a blessing that they have improved so much shootout, but Jeremy Gaylor and Delfin Nogueira in one year. That's the one thing we can take away were denied on the last two. North York, meanwhile, from it." BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR EMOTIONAL LOSS: The Oakville under-16 boys' tier 1 Gunners' Ontario Cup title hopes were denied Sunday in Vaughan with a shootout loss to the North York Hearts Azzurri. Above, the Gunners' Marco Natale (in white) protects the ball from North York's Michael Karwowski. Near right, Oakville's Chris Karafilov (in white) has the inside track on Daniele Clemente for the ball in open field. Far right, the emotions from a disappointing loss are evident on the faces of Gunners assistant coach Paul Marques (in yellow) and player Alex Biafore. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER SALE CUSTOM BLINDS & SHUTTERS NOW AVAILABLE Call for Your Free in Home Estimate 905-637-5740 CARPET Imperial Treasures · 65 oz. Stainmaster · 10 year wear warranty · 6o designer colours $ 49 Reg. $699 sqft. 4th Line 3 www.searsfloor.ca CARPET · CERAMIC · HARDWOOD · LAMINATE · VINYL · AREA RUGS · CUSTOM WINDOW FASHIONS QEW 3rd Line FREE SHOP AT HOME AVAILABLE Speers Rd. OAKVILLE 1027 Speers Road, Oakville 905-901-2036 Designer and host of "Home to Stay" on HGTV.