Century 21 takes over the Capital

Century 21 United. Back Row: Manager Cindy Carr, Coach Mike Tignanelli, Andrew Bedard, Jordi Ortepi, Mike Mason, Ryley Valade, Anthony Celebre, Mitch Forte, Keenan Wright, Mitchell Beaulieu, Darius Tignanelli, Martin Strasbourg, Connor George, Coach Gaetan Piquette. Front Row: Kyle Decosta, Robin Pelletier, Nic Tumino, Nick Piquette, Noah O’Rourke, Michael Carr. (Missing – Zach Deschenes). Photo submitted.

OTTAWA, ON. - The Under 15 Boys Century 21 United soccer team defended their title this past weekend to capture Ottawa’s Kickin’ In The Capital Soccer Tournament. In the first match of the tournament, the North Bay club was matched against the host team Ottawa Royals. The highly motivated North Bay team controlled the play for the majority of the game to come out with a 4–0 victory. Jordi Ortepi opened the scoring, while Darius Tignanelli added two goals and Michael Carr adding the fourth strike. Mitchell Forte recorded the shutout. Kingston provided the second match for Century 21. The North Bay club faced a determined southern Ontario team and saw themselves fall behind 2–0 at the end of the first half. Fortunately for the local team, a completely different side showed up for the second half as Tignanelli opened up the flood gates with two more goals in the tournament, while Nic Tumino, Anthony Celebre and Martin Strasbourg sealed the victory.

Sunday would prove to be a challenging day for Century 21. An aggressive team from Pembroke provided the opposition. Excellent ball control and strong challenges from the United team created frustration for the Pembroke side. Celebre and Tumino provided the scoring and Forte continued with his strong goalkeeping to give Century 21 a 2–0 victory. In the final game of the preliminary round, St. Catherine’s Roma AC proved to be the favourites in the tournament. Their attacking style down the center of the pitch challenged the United defense throughout the match. A shot half way through the first half with a well placed ball by the Roma striker put the local team behind and unable to recover. The 1–0 loss put them in second place in the draw and a birth into the finals against the same St. Catherine’s team.

Century 21 had to provide a different look to the Roma side if they had a chance at competing in the finals. Both teams opened the match with excellent play with ball control being even. However, it was two set plays from corner kicks that proved to be the difference in the first half. Two well placed head balls by Roma’s late coming fullback, Luca Petrocelli, put Century 21 in a hole at half time falling back by two goals. United was not demoralized and showed great character once again as they challenged back early in the second half. A cross from Michael Mason to Jordi Ortepi within the first two minutes of the second half stunned the southern Ontario team. Century 21 continued to find their pace as Tignanelli controlled the ball at centre and out-muscled the two interior Roma fullbacks. A long run put him up against the Roma keeper coming well off his line. A low hard shot by Tignanelli gave Century 21 a tie and momentum in the match. Regulation time ended with the two clubs being even at two which sent the game to extra time and still without a decision.

The championship match would have to be decided on penalty kicks. Goalkeeper Mitch Forte came up big on Roma’s first shot as he extended his body to make a phenomenal save. Tumino, Strasbourg, Nick Piquette and Tignanelli scored for United to keep the shots even at four per side after the first five shooters. The United coaches placed Kyle Decosta as the sixth shooter for the North Bay team and he came through in the highly pressurized position. A miss from Roma gave Century 21 the championship win for the second year in a row.

Tournament organizers recognized Mitchell Beaulieu as the Most Sportsmanlike Player in the championship match.

Darius Tignanelli’s efforts were also rewarded as he was selected Most Valuable Player in the final match for Century 21 United.

Submitted to BayToday.ca