Sports
August 28, 2008 10:16 PM
Mike Hayakawa
The Canadian Soccer League playoffs don’t begin until October. But the Vaughan Italia Shooters have their sights set on trying to finish first overall.
A 2-0 road win Friday over Toronto Croatia and a 1-1 tie against Serbian White Eagles Sunday at St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School pitch enabled the Italia Shooters to solidify their hold of first place in the International Division with an 11-3-2 mark.
More important though, the win and tie recorded by the Italia Shooters enabled them to seize first place in the overall league standings with 35 points, just one ahead of the National Division-leading Trois-Rivieres Attak, who have 34 through Sunday’s games.
The top eight teams will qualify for post-season play in October with the International and National Division regular season winners seeded No. 1 and 2. The next six teams in order of points gained during the regular season, regardless of their divisional standing, earn playoff berths.
The top-seeded four teams will have home pitch advantage. The first-place team in the overall standings will be at home to the eight-seeded club.
The second-place team will play the seventh-seeded club, while three plays six and four meets five.
This home advantage awarded to the top teams will carry through to the semifinals when the division winners will play at home and North York Astros will host the CSL championship final.
In Sunday’s match, the White Eagles drew first blood at the 19 minutes on a goal by Nikola Budalic. But the lead would be shortlived as the Italia Shooters scored the equalizer at 39 minutes on a goal by Doug Sereto equalized at the 39 minute mark.
In Friday’s match, the Italia Shooters did all their damage in the first half when Kadian Leckie scored at the 14- and 22-minute marks. The Italia Shooters resume league play Friday on the road against Portugal FC at Lamport Stadium in Toronto at 8 p.m.
For more on the Italia Shooters, go to
www.italiashooters.ca