This week, a lighter schedule of games. Our Wolves-Homa MR2 were on a BYE week and our Wolves MR4, Wolves-Homa MR4, and Wolves-Albania MR4 teams were all off due to Canada Day celebrations.
MR2
Spirits High Despite Tough Result!
By: Jahleel B., Team Manager
Game played: June 30th, 2025
In our one and final O.C.S.L. MR2 match for the month of June, we saw our Wolves travel away to Arnprior to play the Spurs. Due to the Canada Day extended long weekend, many in our squad were unavailable. We played with a shortened bench but not without the enthusiasm nor desire to win!
Despite the frustrating result, we’re looking forward to our BYE week and a reset for our next match.
Our ‘Player of the Game‘ was Will. Despite the final outcome, he made countless saves and was solid throughout this game.
WOLVES 0
ARNPRIOR 5
MR3
Digging Deep in the Suffocating Heat!
By: Antonino Z., Team Manager
Game played: July 2nd, 2025
Where do I start? There’s so much to process about our game.
Despite having to play in suffocating humidity that refused to let up, we came out relentless to start this match. Within the first five minutes, we nearly capitalized twice, displaying a strong intent and control early on. We dictated the pace, moved the ball intelligently, and consistently won our individual battles. We were first to most challenges, read their passes well, and disrupted their rhythm. This was a complete effort by everyone. As Stefano G. pointed out, their only real tactic was the classic “hit and hope“—launch a long ball and hope their attackers could outrun our defense. Unfortunately, one of those long balls took a fortunate bounce in their favor, leading to their only goal. We responded well, made the necessary adjustments, and effectively neutralized that approach for the rest of the match.
Our Anthony C. opened the scoring for us, with Carlo Z. quickly following up to double our lead. Then, doing what he does best, Kevin R. earned us a penalty—coolly converted by Dylan T., who blasted it into the top corner. Just like that, we had a comfortable 3–0 lead. What could have easily been a goal-of-the-year candidate came when Anthony powered a full-force header on target, only to be denied by an outstanding save from the North Dundas keeper.
For a brief period during this game, it felt like we turned back the clock. I was playing like it was 1995 all over again. Slide tackles, clearances, one-on-one battles… even a throw-in that went tic-tac-toe, goal. It might’ve only been one or two shifts, but I think it turned a few heads. Now, I can only hope that next time the boyz hit up the Crazy Horse, maybe—just maybe—I’ll finally get that invite!
We ended the first half up 3–1—clearly winning the half and aiming to take the second as well. But the heat began to take its toll, and a series of aggressive slide tackles from the opposition led to a couple of injuries that slowed our momentum early in the second half. They found their legs while we struggled to keep ours.
Still, we dug deep and stood tall.
Then Dylan stepped up again, sealing another goal to win the half with his second of the night—a blistering, no-doubt strike that rocketed past their keeper. Honestly, with the force he put behind that shot, he might’ve dislocated a hip! Throughout this game, our keeper Anthony W. took control of our 18, getting his hands or punching corner kicks or any through balls out of harm’s way. Well done, Anthony!
We looked around and saw a few key contributors missing, so we found that extra gear. We were not going to be denied this victory. Massive shout-outs to our backline—Jahbaar T., Angel F., Chris M., Matteo Z., and Timothy A.—who, when not getting mauled, were absolutely exceptional.
Our midfield engine room—Joseph C., Ian A., Kevin R., Samuel W., Stefano G., Hardy N., Gobi K., and James G.—once again showed their grit. Even while taking heavy hits, they stayed composed and delivered quality service up front. And our aforementioned forwards—Anthony C., Carlo Z., and Dylan T.—did exactly what they’re supposed to do: score all our goals.
We’re grateful to all of you for your effort, your execution, and your heart.
Thanks as well to our Wolves MR4’s Timothy and our newest recruit, James, for stepping up tonight. You both slotted in seamlessly and were absolutely tremendous.
Even from Lima, Peru, our Alonso and Diego G. are repping our Wolves!
To Gobi and Angel, gracias / thank you for the post-game bevvies—it is much appreciated! And a big shout-out to our amazing sideline supporters: Maria (Joseph), Maria (Carlo), Joanna (not Maria), and Kevin’s friend Gabe, who just returned from three years in Peru. Maybe it’s time to start a Wolves Foreign Exchange Program?
Our ‘Player of the Game’ was Dylan. He was a vocal and physical force on the pitch, scoring a brace. The last one was a cracker of a shot that blew past their keeper. For that, Dylan, you got #mugged!
WOLVES 4
NORTH DUNDAS 1
OT5
Q the Comeback!
By: Salvador H. C., Team Assistant Manager
Game played: July 4th, 2025
Post-game – all SMILES!
Our Westboro Wolves OT5 faced the White Eagles on their home field at Orlando Southwest. As the summer kicks in, holiday plans are starting to affect our line-up. On Friday morning, we only had 13 players confirmed, but towards the early afternoon, we rose to16 players for this important match. A huge shoutout to Grant M., who showed up to play despite a nagging leg injury.
For this match, our Wolves tried a new formation, to better connect the defense and the midfield. However, we had a slow start and by the 20th minute, we were down 2-0. Just before the water break, Qemail V. scored to bring us within one goal. That strike helped settle our team and allowed us to tweak our new formation. Our ‘D-line’ (Mahamadou S., Samir K., Kevin M. and Salvador H.C.) began collaborating more effectively, providing our keeper, Bryan L., with more protection. The support provided by our center midfielders, Justin M., Driton S. and Jeff V., helped minimize the opposing team’s attacking options.
On the wings, Vincent W., Jamie H., Bujar H., Luca R. and Q were creating plays to feed our forwards Helio A. and Ada K.. Our team continued to create good plays and great scoring chances, but the first half ended 2-1 for the White Eagles.
In the second half, the opposing team increased their pressure, but Bryan and the defensive line worked together to keep them from adding to their lead. Just before the second water break, we tied the game, thanks again to Q who scored his second goal of the game. The last 10 minutes saw great scoring opportunities for both teams. Our Bujar’s relentless running and Vincent’s coordination with the midfielders showed great teamwork. Despite our pressing attacks, the ball just wouldn’t go in and the game ended with a final score of 2-2. This comeback was a solid result.
Our next game will be against the Carleton Place Rangers on their home field.
Our ‘Players of the Game‘ were Bujar, Q.V., Vincent, Mahamadou, and Kevin M.. Congratulations, guys!
A special recognition to the White Eagles. It was a tough, hard fought but clean match. We look forward to hosting you in the final game of the season.
WOLVES 2
WHITE EAGLES 2
OT6
Whistles and Hot Dogs!
By: Adam B., Team Player
Game played: July 4th, 2025
With only 1 loss suffered through the first few games of the season, the OT6 Wolves were looking to continue their strong play during a home game against the Almonte Lynx!
Most of the game was played with little or no spares, so it was all hands-on deck for our Wolves once again. And with another short bench on the night, the Wolves were super glad to see Nick ‘Al Jazeera’ A. rejoin the roster after a suspected brief stint over in the UAE Div.9 semi-pro league.
It was ‘Doc’ Leclair who scored a beauty header off of a classic Hakim ‘the Dream‘s’ cross; a play that’s becoming expected more and more with each passing game. It was good to tie the game at 1-1.
The Lynx weren’t about to back down and kept pressing but another Big effort from Nico ‘Chappy’ V., with his typical end to end runs, was enough to draw a foul and get the Wolves back in for a Penalty kick. ‘Doc’ Leclair made sure to capitalize on the penalty, with a goal that had fans reminiscing of the golden boot he earned only a few seasons ago!
Another free kick goal from Red hot Hakim ‘the Dream’ was enough to seal the deal as the Wolves strutted off the pitch with a 3-1 victory after the Referee’s final whistle. And speaking of whistles, it was the games true star, Mitsuo ‘Sono Otoko’ Y., who fed the hungry pack some of his world famous ‘whistle dogs’ during the post-game victory party! A solid win, all-around!!!
WOLVES 3
ALMONTE 1
MOT4
Posts and Call-Backs!
By: Charles V., Team Manager
Game played: July 4th, 2025
This week promised to be a good test of our team’s depth and resolve. With two of our leading scorers away, our Scottish talisman, Mark F., making his way through the Highlands, and our keeper, Domenico P., unavailable, it was a night where one might have wondered if the team could come undone. Suffice to say, our team answered the bell emphatically.
It was certainly a beautiful night to play. While Ben Franklin 6 is not my favourite field given the large tracts of clover, we could not have asked for a better temperature at kick-off. The team looked strong from the start, controlling the play, but Fitzroy was equally optimistic in the early stages, playing on the counter and asking a few questions. In fact, the first shot on net came through a screen and nearly caught our stand-in keeper off balance. Fortunately, our ‘D’ was there to clean up the rebound and the play moved back to the other end of the pitch. It was at that point the ‘D’ clearly decided the best strategy was to keep any shots away from our net, leaving very little for our keeper Charles to do the rest of the night.
At the other end, the team worked various angles but was struggling to get quality chances. When they did, the post got in the way or the referee decided someone was offside. Finally, Andrew S. took matters into his own hands, beating the keeper to a 50/50 ball and slotting home to open the scoring. While that settled the team, we still could not find our finishing touch and half time arrived with the score still delicately poised at 1-0.
As always, the true highlights of the night came after the game. Our ‘Player of the Game’ may have been handed out too soon, however, as Mimmo M. brought fresh homemade pasta courtesy of his wife, Rina, which was a superb complement to Oscar A.’s well stocked cooler. With Mimmo scheduled for beverage duty next week I can only imagine what’s coming next.
The second half started much the same until our defender, Tony Z., decided it was time to lead by example. Putting in one of those shifts that comes from a combination of inspiration and perspiration, Tony danced down the right side like the prancing horse of Ferrari, playing nifty little one-twos and driving the team forward. Equally energetic in defense, he tracked back to steal the ball away, quickly transitioning back into offence. Inspired by Tony’s display, the team picked up momentum and started to play some lovely through balls into dangerous areas. A few questionable off-side calls (including a belter from Frank M. under the bar) kept things close until Marco B. lofted a lovely shot over the keeper to double the score line. From there it was the Moe-show… having helped set up Marco’s goal and generally been a thorn in the side of the Fitzroy defense all night, Moe struck twice himself, putting the game to bed and leaving the only question of the night at the other end… could we keep a clean sheet?
Things looked set on that end too, with the team wisely keeping play away from our end, until Roberto S. got caught in the aforementioned clover and went down as last man with the ball at his feet and the other team ready to steal in for a breakaway. Thinking quickly, Roberto executed a well timed ‘professional foul’, bringing the striker down before he could head toward our net. The ref thought better of giving Roberto a red for taking away a clear goal scoring opportunity and was maybe more perplexed by Roberto’s claims of innocence (although the loud sound of Roberto’s boot hitting the strikers leg might have been a dead giveaway).
Fitzroy could sense their chance with a free kick from just outside the box, but our wall was perfectly positioned (Charles may have questionable skills as a keeper, but he can clearly set a wall) and the last chance of the game went sailing over the net. As the final whistle went, the score line of 4-0 was not unfair to either side and reflected a sound victory. Onwards to week 7!
Frank M. enjoying some post-game pasta.
We truly appreciate all our players for their weekly commitment to our club, as well as our main sponsor and Villanova Dental Studio’s, Ami Barakat (scene on the left) who’s a former Wolves player and now a member of the Fitzroy Harbour Wanderers.
Moe was deservedly recognized with ‘Player of the Game‘ honours, both for his three goal contributions but also his strong hustle all night. Honourable mention went to Andrew, Matthew C., and Dino D. as the outside midfielders created a large number of chances and never slowed down.
WOLVES 4
FITZROY 0
It was a pleasure to join the O.C.S.L. League Management Board’s luncheon in welcoming our talented summer interns, Tristan Lauter and Cayden McMullin. Here’s to a season of growth and learning!
Even with a lighter schedule, we delivered some truly awesome results!
3 WINS, 1 TIE, 1 LOSS
Sitting pretty, across the ‘Tables’!
FORZA WOLVES!
