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FC London Wins 2016 Women's Title After 2-0 Result Over Woodbridge

By Marty Thompson, 09/18/16, 3:15PM EDT

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FC London were crowned 2016 League1 Ontario champions on Saturday thanks to a 2­-0 win over  Woodbridge in a winner-­take-­all affair amidst a raucous atmosphere at Cove Road in London.

Both teams came into the match tied atop the table with 36 points each. While London had one match at hand, a Woodbridge win would have been enough for the visiting side to be crowned champions.

With Commissioner Dino Rossi and the League1 Ontario trophy on ­hand, both teams battled nerves throughout the match.

Despite numerous chances for both teams early on, a loud Cove Road crowd didn't see their first goal until the 26th minute.

League ­leading scorer Jade Kovacevic put London on the board after out­-muscling the defender and goalkeeper in a determined mazy dribble.

Woodbridge singled out Kovacevic early, tackling her hard and limiting her time on the ball, but while the second goal also came from Kovacevic - it didn't come in open play.


Jade Kovacevic (Photo: Dianna Lee)


Photo: Dianna Lee

Kovacevic indirectly set up the second goal in the 39th minute, when her free­kick, hit the top corner and was saved. The ball was deflected by the goalkeeper down to Claire Monyard, who slotted it home.

Woodbridge's forwards went all ­out before the half. Christabel Oduro and Calaigh Copeland combined for some wonderful runs and dribbles that wrecked havoc on London's defence.

The second half saw London retreat and accept pressure from Woodbridge, ultimately smothering their chances at coming back into the match.

An emotional trophy celebration followed the final whistle, with a packed Cove Road watching on.

"I'm speechless right now," head coach Mike Marcoccia said after the match. "To see where we were at the start of the season and where we are now - it's surreal. We'd train four, five times a week. These girls were on the field all the time and committed and their work paid off."


Photo: Dianna Lee

While the match was a bit different from what London was used to, they still had a goal from Jade Kovacevic - something they are inherently used to. Kovacevic scored her 27th league goal on Saturday, which puts her 15 goals ahead of the next closest competitor for the Golden Boot.

"From the first minute to the ninety-third minute, we were biting our nails. We were fighting for every single ball," Kovacevic said after the match. 

"Emotionally, we couldn’t ask for a better feeling."

FC London still has one more match to play at home to Durham United - the 2015 League1 Ontario women's division champions - on Sunday September 25.


Photo: Dianna Lee