Women’s Team
Evolution 1-3 Rovers
TSS Rovers came into this match undefeated in three games and having scored a boatload of goals. With our offense finally firing, the only question was whether we could contain Evolution’s attacking threats.
With Asha Parmar getting her first start in goal for TSS Rovers, it was a cagey start with a few chances coming both ways. The deadlock was broken in the 38’ when Elyse Beaudry broke up a clearance attempt and found Delana Friesen, who was stymied as she tried to play into the box. The ball was poked off her foot and found Sofia Faremo who, from 25 yards out, chipped Evolution keeper Sofia Piperni. The ball bounced off the crossbar and fell just over the line.
Seven minutes later former Rover Isabella Muzzolini scored a banger from the top of the box off a poor clearance from a corner. Asha Parmar had no chance and the teams went into the dressing room tied at a goal apiece.
Fortunes changed early in the second half when Muzzolini bungled a challenge and sent a high boot into the ribs of Sophie Campbell and was sent off with a straight red card.
Rovers continued to try to find ways to break down Evolution’s mid block, with Kaitlan Cerny, and Nina Louis buzzing in the midfield, while Erin van Dolder did a tremendous job containing threats from Joy Kimwemwe and Noelle Sather.
In the 83’ captain Elyse Beaudry carried the ball into the box and was hauled down leading to a penalty. Erin van Dolder calmly slotted it home, breaking the deadlock and notching her first goal of the season. Willow Bourbonnais added to the lead in the 86’ with a lovely cut in from the left wing and a shot across the face of goal which caught a small deflection and nestled against the far post.
Debut: Asha Parmar
Men’s Team
Evolution 1-2 Rovers
Evolution came into this match needing a win to close the gap on the first place Rovers men’s team. A loss would drop them into 7th, all but erasing their chances of a title in their first year. Familiar faces sprinkled the line up with former Rovers Kyle Jones and Anthony White suiting up for their youth club’s League 1 side, alongside Dominic Di Paola, who scored two in the reverse fixture at the beginning of the season.
Evolution started brightly, In the first minute Cal Weir was forced into a massive save as leading scorer Frixos Petsas got through the back line and slammed one on target. A minute later, Evolution’s press resulted in Dominic di Paola getting a goal off a deflection and Cal Weir had no chance.
Rovers withstood more pressure and then regrouped and slowly played their way back into the game. First half injury time would prove to be the Rovers’ saving grace as Luis Klimo netted a goal off a corner scramble, and we entered the dressing room 1-1.
There was no easy answer to the match despite Ivan Mejia’s constant runs down the left side and Evolution keeper Jordan Thorsen was called into action several times.
In the second of three minutes of added time though, we found the winner. Ali Zohar found Luciano Keramen open on the left side and he pinged a looping cross towards the near post where Ousman Touray was steaming in. Touray met the ball with a volley and bulged the back of the net.
Evolution were offered a late chance from a free kick and the resulting scramble. Cal Weir gathered up the ball and the referee blew for time.
