Lady Lynx Continue Quest for Division Title!
Published on July 12, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Toronto Lynx News Release
Tuesday, July 12, 2005 (TORONTO, ON) - The Toronto Lady Lynx will have a busy week as they complete their inaugural W-League season with three games in five days that will determine their fate in the Eastern Conference. The Lady Lynx will kick off the week on Wednesday, July 13th at 12:00pm by welcoming the Rochester Ravens to Centennial Park Stadium for a special Youth Day matinee presented by Pizza Pizza and media partner City Parent / News 4 Kids. With an expected 3000 youth from summer camps/academies, summer schools, community centres and youth soccer clubs in attendance, the Lady Lynx will have a spirited crowd to cheer them on. Toronto and Rochester will meet again in the back end of a home-and-home series on Saturday, July 16th in Rochester at 7:30pm before the Lady Lynx complete their 2005 regular schedule at home on Sunday, July 17th when they face the Ottawa Fury to determine the winner of the Northern Division.
With Rochester's back-to-back losses over the weekend dropping them to 3-7-0 this season, the Lady Lynx have clinched a playoff spot. They currently sit at 9-2-0, tied for first place in the Northern Division with the Ottawa Fury, who have a 9-1-0 record this season. In the Eastern Conference, 7 teams will reach the playoffs this season. The top team from the regular season receives a bye to the Eastern Conference Championship tournament, which they will host. The New Jersey Wildcats currently have the inside track to win the conference with an 11-0-0 record and a remarkable 46 goals for and only 1 goal against. The remaining playoff teams will be the top 2 teams in the Northern Division along with the top 4 teams from the Northeast Division. These teams will play a one game playoff match on Wednesday, July 27th to determine the 3 clubs that will join the regular season Eastern Conference champion in the Eastern Conference Championship Tournament taking place over the weekend of July 29-31.
The Northern Division title will be on the line as the Ottawa Fury invade Centennial Park Stadium on Sunday, July 17th at 6:00pm for the first ever Lady Lynx Fan Appreciation Day and End of Season Player Awards Ceremonies which begin at 5:30. The Awards are being presented by the Chief Administrative Officer of the Oakville Soccer Club, Jean Gandubert; Ontario Soccer Association President, Colin Linford; Liberal Member of Parliament from Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Jean Augustine; and Sandy Liguori, of Oakville Nissan, a major sponsor of the Lady Lynx.
On the field, the Lady Lynx will be out for revenge for a 5-0 loss to the Fury in Ottawa on June 29th. The Lady Lynx were without standout goalkeeper, Stacey Van Boxmeer, Canadian National Team midfielder, Amanda Cicchini and U20 Canadian National Team striker, Deana Everrett for the match in Ottawa. The Lady Lynx will have a full roster this time around with the exception of Canadian National Team midfielder, Melanie Booth who had to return to the University of Florida for classes.
Sunday's match should feature exciting end-to-end action and will showcase three of the top four scorers in the W-League. Defending W-League Most Valuable Player, Kelly Parker (29 points in 10 games) and strike partner, Rhian Wilkinson (28 points in 8 games) will attempt to out dual Lady Lynx striker Kim Warner (26 points in 10 games). With that much firepower on the pitch, Canadian National Team goalkeepers, Taryn Swiatek of Ottawa and Stacey Van Boxmeer of Toronto will need to be on top of their games.
LYNX WELCOME SEATTLE ON SATURDAY!
The Toronto Lynx will also be back in action this Saturday, July 16th as they take to the field for the first time since a June 26th draw versus Charleston. The tie gave the Lynx a 2-game unbeaten streak for the first time this season and improved their record to 1-8-5. The Seattle Sounders will be Saturday's opponent for the Lynx annual Carib Fest celebration presented by Lynx media partner, the Jamaican Weekly Gleaner, at Centennial Park Stadium for a 7:30pm kickoff. Pre-game and half-time ceremonies will feature the sights and sounds of the Caribbean as the Caribbean Dance Theatre will delight fans with traditional dance of the islands. On the field, the Sounders are one of the hottest teams in the USL First Division. The 2004 USL First Division Finalist sport a 7-2-5 record that includes only one loss in their past 13 matches.
The Sounders are led by striker Roger Levesque, who has recorded 4 goals and 2 assists this season. On loan from the San Jose Earthquakes of MLS, Levesque also had 8 goals and 4 assists last season to lead the team. The Lynx will be looking for continued strong play from midfielder, Jamie Dodds. Dodds has earned USL First Division Player of the Week honours as well as a Team of the Week selection this season. He leads the team with 4 goals and 2 assists this season including 2 goals on bending free kicks that are quickly becoming his trademark.
"We are hoping to continue the momentum from the last 2 games," said Lynx Head Coach, Hubert Busby Jr. "We have tried to keep the boys sharp by playing exhibition games during the lengthy layoff. I know the boys are anxious to get back to regular league play and are looking to finish the season on a strong positive note. I have been very pleased with the overall performance and play of the team. Unfortunately, thus far we have lacked that cutting edge needed in front of goal to bring more positive results."
USL First Division Stories from July 12, 2005
- Portland shuts out Sounders 2-0 in third round of competition - Portland Timbers
- Portland Timbers Match Notes - Portland Timbers
- USL Week 12 Teams of the Week - USL-1
- Thunder to hold last practice before taking on Real Salt Lake - Minnesota Thunder
- CONCACAF Gold Cup notebook - USL-1
- Lady Lynx Continue Quest for Division Title! - Toronto Lynx
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
