Dedicated Shooter fans battling the cold to watch the teams first game at their new home stadium at St Joan of Arc High School in Maple

On this past holiday Monday, the Italia Shooters hosted the Serbian White Eagles in their first ever home game at their new St Joan of Arc Stadium in Maple. The Shooters could not have asked for a better home-opener. Firstly, while rain seemed to be likely, it held off the entire game. More importantly, thanks to the Shooters dedicated fans, the home support was amazing. Even on such a cold and windy day, over 500 fans showed their support, including the boys and girls from the shooters academy who were the ball collectors, came out to cheer on the shooters creating a great atmosphere for playing soccer. The Shooters would like to thank all of their fans for their support, and also Rogers Cable TV who was filming the game.

 

While a tie in most situations would be welcome with 10 new additions to last years squad, especially against the 2007 league leading point getters, the Serbian White Eagles, the Shooters coaches just were not very happy with settling for a tie. The start of the game was an even affair, as both teams were simply feeling each other out for the first 20 minutes, ensuring not to let in an early goal. As the half progressed, the Shooters gained in confidence and started stringy passes together creating opportunities in the Serbian half. At the 25^th minute mark Shooter forward number 11 Luca Forno, collected a cross from teammate Franke Jonke and hit a one-time volley from about 25 yards out right into the top right corner of the Serbian goal, giving the Shooters a 1-0 lead. It did not take long for the Serbians long to tie it up. At the 31 minute mark, a mix up between the Shooter goalie Pablo Alvarado and Shooter defender number 2, Jamaal Smith, gave Serbian player number 15, Milos Scepanovic probably the easiest goal he will score all season. The Shooter player and goalie were undecided as to who should clear the ball that was just sitting there at the top of the 18 yard box, both players stopped and hesitated to clear the ball, leaving enough time for the Serbian forward to sneak in and collect the lose ball and gently put the ball into a wide open Shooter net.

 

That mix-up really seemed to unsettle the young Shooter team and they were very happy to hear the half-time whistle and try to shake-off the mistake over the interval.

 

After the half-time break, the Serbian team came out strong and began to gain more possession of the ball and created a coupel of scoring opportunities on the Shooter goal. The Shooters did well to contain the Serbian pressure limiting the number of dangerous scoring chances, although at the 72 minute mark on a Serbian free-kick from the left-wing, Serbian midfielder number 7 Dragan Radovic headed the perfectly placed free-kick past the Shooter goalkeeper for a 2-1 Serbian lead. The Shooters just never did get their composure back from that first goal mix-up and seemed to struggle just trying to put simple passes together. After a few substitutions the Shooters were determined to score an equalizer, and tried to put the pressure back on the White Eagles. Shooter midfielder Frankie Bruno tested the Serbian net-minder with several corner-kicks and free-kicks which called the Serbian goalie to make several finger tip saves. On an ensuing corner-kick, Bruno delivered a well struck ball to the far post onto the head of his teammate Franco Ruschetta, who scored at the 80 minute mark to tie the game. Rusectta deservedly scored the games tying goal, as he not only defended superbly, but also was constantly running up and down the sideline the entire game.

 

The rest of the game saw both teams trying to score the game winner but to no avail. This was the first game for both teams in the 2008 season and should be the start to a great rivalry between both teams, as they will play three more game sin the upcoming months. For the past 2 years these two teams have played eight games against each other, with four games ending in a draw, and with the Shooters winning two as well as the White Eagles.

 

The Shooters will have to take the positives from this game onto the next, as they face a tough side from Quebec in the Trois Rivieres Attack team this Sunday, with kickoff set at 4:00pm at St Joan of Arc in Maple. The Attak beat out the Shooters in last year’s playoffs with a convincing 3-0 score, who then went down to defeat to the Serbian White Eagles 2-0 in the 2007 semi-finals.