Wallaceburg Sting Tie For First Division Title

The Wallaceburg Sting capped a successful year on the soccer pitch, finishing the season on a 3-game win streak & unbeaten in their last 7 contests (7-0-1).

After defeating the London English 2-1 a couple weeks ago, they next played on Saturday, September 15th, vs. Norfolk. The Sting last played Norfolk during their 1-3-1 (W-L-T) start to the season, losing by a score of 4-1. Now long removed from that June 1st defeat, the Sting have lost only one regular season game since that time. The Sting entered this contest knowing a win would not only clinch them second place in the WOSL’s First division, but earn them a promotion back to the WOSL’s Premier division. The Sting came out ready to play and went ahead early by a score of 2-0 before Norfolk got a tally of their own, cutting their deficit in half, 2-1. A short while later, the Norfolk keeper, intentionally used his hands outside the 18-yard box to stop a Matt Feddes through-ball. The infraction earned him a red card, ejecting him from the game and forcing his Norfolk teammates to play another man short for the game’s duration. The Sting went on to find the back of the net three more times, cruising to a 5-1 victory. Phil Nywening paced the Sting with 2 goals, while Mike Foster, Jorge DaSilva & Martin Gittens Jr. each had a goal of their own. This was Gittens’ first game with the Wallaceburg Sting, after playing the season with Wallaceburg’s U-17 squad.

On Saturday, September 22nd, Wallaceburg was next to take on the London Portuguese at home in their season finale. However, 90 minutes prior to kick-off the Sting were informed by the league that the Portuguese had chosen to forfeit the game, due to being unable to field a team. Per league rules, the Sting were awarded a 3-0 victory. This win, combined with first place, London Bosnia, tying their final game, meant the Wallaceburg Sting tied Bosnia for first place in the WOSL’s First division. The Sting split their two meetings with Bosnia this season, winning at home 3-1 and losing on the road 1-0.

After their 1-3-1 start, the Sting surged through the standings by going 11-1-1 in the remainder of their schedule, finishing with a record of 12-4-2 (W-L-T) and going undefeated (8-0-1) on their newly resurfaced home pitch of Kinsmen Park. Their 12 victories were the most of any club in the division. During their 11-1-1 surge, the Sting outscored their opponents by a score of 30-9, finishing the season with 36 goals for and 21 against. Despite not having the opportunity to add to his goal scoring tally due to the season finale forfeit, Wallaceburg’s Phil Nywening finished with 11 goals, 2 back of the division leaders. The Sting currently have 3 of their starters, keeper Sam Youlton (Niagara) and central midfielders Colin McArthur & Mark Foster (both Fanshawe) playing soccer for their respective colleges. Sting striker Taylor McArthur is continuing his athletics as a member of the Windsor Lancers Track team.

Upon finishing his second season as head coach, Kurtis Lubbers announced he has willingly relinquished the position. After holding dual roles as player/head coach, he will continue with the club next season as a player only. Anyone interested in applying for the 2013 head coaching position is asked to contact Cleo Perry at cperry@kent.net

Pictured Above: Back row (L to R): Alfredo Attardi (manager), Jorge DaSilva, Phil Nywening, Roberto Attardi, Kyle Allaer, Chad Lubbers, Kurtis Lubbers, Mitchell Kraayenbrink, Charlie Kridiotis.
Front row: Mark Foster, BJ Charpentier, Matt Feddes, Sam Youlton, Colin McArthur, Mike Foster, Taylor McArthur.