Stamps unplug Titans under the lights

   Johnston scores twice in Parkside's 5-0 shutout of Central Elgin in TVRA soccer

Tuesday May 8, 2018

By Rob J. Ross 

ST. THOMAS - No doubt the Parkside Lady Stampeders are one of the favourites in the region to advance to OFSAA.

They return with a majority of their roster that was at OFSAA a year ago and this season already, the Stampeders have won two tournaments.

Parkside moved to 2-0, in the Thames Valley Regional Athletics South Division, silencing their city rival the Central Elgin Titans, 5-0, under the lights, at Parkside CI.

Tiffany Johnston, with two goals, Kaitlin Ellery, Kailey Dennis and Kiara Lattanzio scored, while keeper Aviva Fournie stopped anything shot her way.

"We're right on track with where we've been the last couple years," Parkside coach Gerry Safadi said.  "I'm happy with how we've moved the ball. We've been in a couple tournaments and that has helped us to move the ball well and figure out positioning. We're in a good spot.

"We've played some good competition and that's allowed us to see how we do against some good competition."

Winning the WOSSAA 2A title three years in a row, marks the Stampeders and has every opponent stepping up with their best game.

But Safadi doesn't believe being a one of the favourites (also Stratford St. Mike's, London Bessette) to win WOSSAA, fazes his team.

"The girls have played tons of soccer and have competed in club and high school, so I don't think they feel the pressure. They just go play their game. It doesn't really bother them. They're comfortable," Safadi said. "We know that we have to play well all the time. We don't want to have a bad game in the playoffs. We're solid and have good players off of the bench."

The TVRA South regular season is brief, with just four games over two weeks, followed by the South-East playoffs.  The WOSSAA tournament is May 31, in London. Windsor hosts AA OFSAA, June 7-9.

Parkside won OFSAA in 2016. 14 players remain from the gold medal winning team.