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Late Issac Penalty Wins Men's L1 Cup Semi For Strikers

By League1 Ontario staff, 07/14/16, 9:30PM EDT

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A very even L1 Cup semi-final between North Toronto Nitros and defending L1 Cup champions Woodbridge Strikers concluded on Tuesday night with an extra time penalty dispatched by Strikers' Emmanuel Issac (90' + 2') for Woodbridge to win 1-0.

North Toronto centre-back Niba Macdonald handled a high cutback from Christian Cavallini as he drove into the box, and the official pointed to the spot instantly.

A clean sheet by Woodbridge's Matt George ensured the Strikers were on their way to the final. 

"I feel pretty good about the game," said Woodbridge head coach, Peter Pinizzotto. 

"I told the boys at half-time that this was one of our best halves at home. At home we haven't done too well even though we've been winning some games, but I thought the way we played, the intensity in the game, was very good. It was good from both teams, I thought North Toronto did a good job too.

Woodbridge had some good chances early in the match, primarily from the industry and finesse of forward Emmanuel Issac, who was always working the last line of defence looking for through balls. 

"I thought in the first half we could have scored a couple goals through the chances Manny had, but overall I'm happy, and happy to be going back to the finals that we won last year," said Pinizzotto.

"Manny is a typical striker that plays right on the line, right on the edge, and he got free three times in the first half and could have scored all three. He works very hard for us and he is finishing chances, he's been an asset."

Woodbridge will play Vaughan Azzurri in the men's L1 Cup final on July 30 (7 p.m.) at the Ontario Soccer Centre.