By: Tony zito, TEAM MANAGER

---

This is not where I expected we would be after 2 games, in the early stages of this season. With the talent we have, it’s not where we should be.

We’ve been chasing games and this is not a good recipe for success. I don’t think the Ottawa Falcons expected they could score on their first two shots on net, they were as surprised as we were shocked. Unfortunately, this happens in this game of inches and luck.

And then the opposing team ‘parks the bus’!

The first 10 minutes of this game, we dominated. If we scored first, I guarantee the outcome of this game would have been different.

The effort was certainly there but our frustration once again led to some poor decisions.
I know we all wanted to make a difference, especially when we look across the pitch and see an opponent that’s not controlling the game, like we were. The ball just wasn’t falling where we needed it to be. At times our touch was too heavy or not kicked to an open space and easily defended.

A lot of our players were discussing this game’s outcome and I appreciate that. It means we’re not content. We need to do better and I am confident, we will do better.

---

By: Maak Burger, TEAM COACH

---

It was another under-staffed OT2 Wolves lineup that took to the field for Match Day 2. The conditions, not ideal, it was hot and humid. Our opponents were a newly promoted side, the Spitfires. The Wolves did have 11 players to start, but only just. Aware of the challenges that a thin lineup would present, in the humid conditions, the Wolves started brightly, with Timon Gareau notching a goal in the first 7 minutes, followed by a penalty after Maaakkk’s cross was hand-led in the box. Shezi Aziz stepped up for the penalty, but the heat got the better of him, and the keeper read his mind to make a diving stop. Fortunately, Peter Worthing was alert and banged home the rebound for a Wolves 2-0 lead.

Despite falling behind, the opponents were not phased and began to assert themselves and tied up the match with 2 goals in quick succession. They continued to control the game, scoring one more early in the 2nd half to take the lead. In the meantime, fresh legs had arrived for the Wolves, as super-sub Zanuer Umar arrived to lead the line and put pressure on the opponents. His hard work was rewarded on a tap-in, off a sensational pass from Mike Popiel, who had been marauding up the left wing all game long. The match went back and forth from then on, with the opponents coming close to setting a record for the number of offsides in an OT2 match. This provided relief to our makeshift back line, which, at times, even included last year’s striking tandem of Liam Smithies and Maakkk.

In the end, the 3-3 draw was a fair result, as the Wolves earned their first point of the season.

---

By: Adam Black, WOLVES PLAYER

---

It was a turbulent game for our Wolves OT5 squad after storming ahead 4-nil in the first half. The Kemptville team pounced on us, out of the gate, in the second half with 2 goals of their own to make it interesting.

As the game went on, we flip-flopped goals and snuck away with a 5-3 victory!

I’d say we were led by fabulous play by Wolves striker, Ryan ‘the Hammer’Schultz, who scored 2 brilliant goals!
(Editor’s note: I believe Ryan deserves ‘Player of the Game’ honours for that performance. Well done Ryan!)

---

By: Frank Maiorino, TEAM MANAGER

---

Our Wolves OT6 started the game off on shaky ground as they gave up two quick goals before the game’s 15-minute mark. The first goal was a perfectly placed shot into the top right corner eluding the Wolves keeper who didn’t even try to make the save and the second, a few minutes later, was from a breakaway up the center of the field that was misplayed by both the Wolves center fullback and hesitant Wolves’ keeper who allowed the Bears player to tap the ball into the far left corner of the net.

Wolves management then made a few positional changes that bolstered the full-back line and spurred the Wolves comeback. The first solid chance came from Luca Ruggiero who smacked a great shot from the left midfield position that banged off the crossbar. We hit several crossbars and posts and the feeling was one of our shots was going to settle in!

The play then centered predominantly in the middle third of the field when suddenly, left full-back, Dino DeFranco crossed the ball into the box onto the foot of forward striker, Jeff Daugherty who pushed it into the net right before the end of the half, that ended 2-1 in favour of da Bears

The second half started with back-and-forth midfield play when a free kick was awarded to the Wolves just outside the 18-yard box. Full back Bruno Bossio took the shot that cleared da Bears wall and hit the crossbar rebounding all the way to left fullback Dino, who took a shot that looped over the keeper into the opposite corner of the net and we were tied, 2-2. A few minutes later, capitalizing on the momentum caused by De Franco’ s goal, Madhi Hemmati controlled the ball at the top of the Bears box and sailed a shot over da Bears’ keeper into the far corner of the net making the score 3-2 for the Wolves.

In response, the Bears increased their level of play and sailed ball after ball over the Wolves’ fullback line into the box, which forced Wolves’ keeper Frank Maiorino to leave his goal line, numerous times, to intercept the ball. The pressure proved to be too much for the Wolves who gave up a penalty kick on a controversial handball in the box. The Bears forward then took a well placed penalty kick into the top right corner of the net tying the score 3-3.

Our Wolves kept fighting and were awarded a penalty kick themselves when Kevin Moorhouse was taken down in their box, towards the end of the half. Penalty-kick Ace, Salvador Herencia Carrasco then calmly pushed the ball into the net, making the final score 4-3 for the Wolves.

A nervous start ended with a confident finish!

Next up for the 1-1 Wolves are the Carleton Place Rangers, in Carleton Place.

---