OSU dominates deciding OYSL contest but still fall short

By Dan Plouffe

The Ottawa South United Force under-17 boys will finish as runners-up in the Ontario Youth Soccer League east division following a 4-1 defeat to Glen Shields this afternoon in Vaughan.

“It was probably the most one-sided loss I’ve ever coached. We completely dominated the game and lost,” Force coach Russell Shaw said by phone. “Every bounce that could go against us went against us today – it was one of those days.”

There was one particular moment that made the difference early in the second half when OSU trailed just 1-0.

“We had an unfortunate accident where the ref got in the way of one of our players and created a breakaway for them,” Shaw explained. “That sort of changed the momentum of the game, then we pushed guys forward and they caught us with the counter.”

Shaw said his team “probably out-chanced them 25-4” and had possession of the ball for a good three quarters of the match.

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“We played well, except there were mistakes,” noted Shaw, whose squad downed Glen Shields 5-1 in their previous meeting this year. “It’s shocking. I’m really disappointed. It was such a good season. And I’m disappointed that’s the team we lost to because we’re a much better team.”

Mekonen Lovemore-White scored the lone goal for the Force, who finish their OYSL season with a 10-6 record in second place. Glen Shields, who is two points ahead of OSU in first place, now play an inconsequential game tomorrow against Ajax.

Shaw was able to see the silver lining of coming so close to completing a feat that Ottawa soccer teams rarely, if ever, accomplish, but that didn’t help the sting of the deciding loss.

“I’m super happy for what they achieved,” Shaw added. “But I’m disappointed how at times we couldn’t push through to be the elite, because we were so close.”

See related story: OSU U17s approach historic OYSL title