In a tightly contested match that saw both teams battling hard, Markham City emerged victorious with a 1-0 win over BVB IA Waterloo, clinching the U17 Girls OPDL Cup title Saturday afternoon at the Zanchin Automotive Soccer Centre. 

The match kicked off under sunny skies, but strong winds added an extra challenge for both teams. The early minutes saw goalkeepers Brooke McMurren of Waterloo and Stephanie Dickson of Markham each making confident saves, though neither was seriously tested. 

Markham’s Jasmine McCatty was a persistent threat, beginning with a solid attempt in the 16th minute that was saved by McMurren. McCatty remained active and nearly found the net again in the 32nd minute, but her shot was blocked. Just three minutes later, Markham earned a free kick, but Sofia Ferrante’s effort sailed wide, leaving the score at nil-nil as the first half concluded. 

Markham dominated the first half in terms of offensive pressure, recording nine shots, seven of which were on target, while Waterloo managed only five shots with one on target. 

The second half saw Markham continuing to push forward, with McCatty leading the charge once more. In the 47th minute, she fired a shot that McMurren saved, but the rebound threatened to turn dangerous before Waterloo’s Shalagh Guha cleared the ball to safety. 

Markham’s persistence finally paid off in the 53rd minute when Akeela Omokhua broke the deadlock. Omokhua took advantage of a momentary lapse in Waterloo’s defense, sneaking the ball into the low corner of the net as McMurren charged out to meet her. A minute later, Omokhua found herself in a similar one-on-one with McMurren, but this time, the Waterloo keeper denied her. 

Waterloo responded immediately, with a good attempt in the 55th minute, but Dickson was up to the task. Their best chance came in the 72nd minute when Taryn Buckley fired a shot just wide of the goal, with no teammate in position to capitalize on the loose ball. 

Despite Waterloo’s resilient defense and a few late chances, Markham maintained their edge in the offensive battle. Markham’s 1-0 victory secured their place as the U17 Girls OPDL Cup champions, capping off a thrilling match that showcased the determination and skill of both teams. 

See the full photo album on the Ontario Soccer Facebook page.

To view the full match, view Ontario Soccer's YouTube Channel