On Sunday morning at the Zanchin Automotive Soccer Centre in Vaughan, the U14 Girls MilkUP Ontario Cup final delivered a thrilling match between Woodbridge Strikers IModel and Ilderton Ignite. After a dramatic 1-1 draw in regulation, Woodbridge emerged victorious in a tense penalty shootout to secure the coveted title.

The match started brightly for Woodbridge, who struck early in the 7th minute. The swift counterattack saw Ella DaSilva deliver a precise through ball to Bianca Di Biase, who raced beyond the Ilderton defense. Faced with a one-on-one against the keeper, Di Biase coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net, giving Woodbridge an early 1-0 lead.

Ilderton fought back and nearly found an equalizer in the 18th minute when Rachel Dobinson unleashed a long-range shot. However, Woodbridge goalkeeper Alyssa Afonso was alert and made a crucial save to keep her team ahead.

The pressure from Ilderton finally paid off in the 26th minute. Saurima Kundu made a determined run towards the Woodbridge goal, drawing Afonso out of position. With the keeper on the ground, Kundu delivered a cross to an unmarked Sunny Noble, who calmly finished into the open net, bringing Ilderton level at 1-1.

Ilderton thought they had taken the lead in the 55th minute when a free kick rattled off the crossbar, and Noble pounced on the rebound to score. However, their celebrations were cut short as the offside flag went up, disallowing the goal.

Both teams created more chances as the second half progressed. Kundu saw a powerful shot saved in the 61st minute, while Mia Alvarez came close for Woodbridge two minutes later, firing just wide of the post.

In the final stages, Woodbridge was awarded a free kick in the 77th minute, but Ilderton goalkeeper Riann Lilbourne made a confident save. A minute later, Afonso made another key stop, denying an Ilderton effort to keep the score tied at 1-1. Di Biase had one last chance for Woodbridge in added time, but her shot went wide, sending the match to penalties.

In the shootout, Ilderton missed one attempt, and Afonso stepped up once again, making a crucial save to block another Ilderton shot. With composure from the spot, Woodbridge sealed the win, capturing the U14 Girls 2024 MilkUP Ontario Cup in dramatic fashion.

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