skip navigation

Sanjaxx Lions 1 - Woodbridge Strikers 3

By lo admin, 08/18/15, 10:30AM EDT

Share

 

Sanjaxx Lions 1 - Woodbridge Strikers 3

Tue Aug 18 
Written By: Staff, League1
 

Two goals from Alyscha Mottershead and one from Jessica Lisi put the Strikers 3-1 over the Lions in women's matchweek 12 play, but Sanjaxx keeper Sarah Anisha Bradbury kept the visitors in the match until late in the contest, and the Lions' Madeline Gardner made it interesting with a strike just before the half-time interval.

"The biggest challenge in today's match was keeping our composure as the Sanjaxx GK, Sarah Anisha Bradbury, had our number in the first half," said Woodbridge head coach, Joe Parolini. "WSC controlled the majority of the ball possession but had little too show for it in the first half. Our composure paid off and we ended up winning 3-1, but there is no doubt that the key moment of the match was the Sanjaxx goal that tied the score at 1-1."

WS: ALYSCHA MOTTERSHEAD

"The goal gave our players a real wake up call. Great possession, ball movement, both on and off the ball, but this league proves that one simple mishap and anyone can score and make you pay for it."

Sanjaxx head coach Laza Lowe was equally glowing in his praise for Bradbury.

"I thought our goalkeeper Sarah Anisha Bradbury and our left back Katie Thomas were MVPs," he said. "The goalkeeper was able to come up with a fair amount of good saves to keep us in the game. They were leading 1-0 early on, and then Sanjaxx equalized, and it wasnt until late in the game that they scored the go-ahead goal thanks to the keeper."

"Our left-back, Katie Thomas, played dynamite for a young player, cutting out a whole pile of attacks, and creating moves going forward."

SL: SARAH ANISHA BRADBURY

With squad transition a talking point around the league, Sanjaxx's roster is no anomaly. Lowe spoke to the difficulties, and positives, that transition presents. 

"Biggest challenge for us was that we just lost seven or eight players to Canadian and American universities," he said.

"We're left with a number of younger players after our older ones have gone back to school, but this will be a good experience for them as we prepare them for next year's season."

"Key moment was definitely our inability to close down the ball in the final third of the park. They scored from the edge of the 18 yard box, and we weren't able to react quickly enough and get out there to pressure the ball."

WS: JESSICA LISI

Woodbridge is dealing with the same issues, but Parolini spoke to the quality of the mentors he has left in the team, and their ability to guide his up-and-coming players.

"The outstanding players were our three central midfielders, led by Alyscha Mottershead, who also contributed with the first two goals, along with Diana (Kiwi) DaRocha, April Syme," he said.

"Our three mids are extremely calm on the ball, don't panic, and set the pace of the game. Their experience is one of the big reasons for our success. They also give composure and are extremely effective role models to our young players."

Sanjaxx has home advantage in matchweek 13, playing league leaders Durham United FC at Monarch Park, Toronto, on Saturday August 22, 6 p.m. kickoff.

Woodbridge gets a bit more rest, not returning to league competition until Sunday August 30 vs. Vaughan Azzurri at Vaughan Grove, Woodbridge - 5 p.m. kickoff.