NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO CUP
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The U16 Girls Final at the 2025 Ontario Indoor Cup delivered a thrilling contest on Sunday afternoon at the Zanchin Automotive Soccer Centre in Vaughan. The Guelph Gryphons overcame an early deficit to defeat LS Croatia 4-2. Indoor soccer is a small-sided six-versus-six game that differs from the usual outdoors full-field format.
LS Croatia struck first, finding the back of the net just two minutes into the game. Guelph responded with their first attempt in the seventh minute, but goalkeeper Jada Mayer-Lashley confidently saved the shot. LS Croatia’s Amina Reabel threatened to extend the lead in the 10th minute, only to be denied by Guelph keeper Julia Delaney.
Guelph’s attack began to gain momentum, with Gemma Schmalenberg attempting a long-range shot in the 13th minute that flew too high, followed by a second effort in the 16th that was saved by Mayer-Lashley. The breakthrough for Guelph came in the 18th minute, when Green delivered a perfectly placed cross to Anselmini, who fired it home from the top of the box to even the score. Juliette Mann nearly put Guelph ahead four minutes later, but her shot hit the post.
Guelph carried their momentum into the second half, scoring just moments after the restart. Ella Rea sent a well-timed through ball to Rachael Van Milligen, whose shot was saved by Mayer-Lashley, but Schmalenberg capitalized on the rebound to give the Gryphons the lead.
LS Croatia fought back and nearly equalized in the 29th minute with a strong effort from Natalie Chea and Reabel, but Delaney came up with a clutch save. Minutes later, Veronica LaForge broke through Guelph’s defense, scoring to level the match at 2-2. The Gryphons quickly regained control, with Anselmini producing a brilliant solo effort to restore the lead. In the dying seconds of the match, Anselmini completed her hat trick.”
The final whistle blew with a 4-2 final score, and the Guelph Gryphons sealed the victory, completing their back-to-back Ontario Cup championships for Guelph.
Click here to watch the livestream and re-live the action.
The Guelph 2009 Jr. Gryphons Academy Team has now earned four Ontario Cup Championship titles - two outdoor and two indoor. After winning the latest outdoor Ontario Cup in the fall, they went on to compete at the 2024 Canada Soccer Toyota National Championships U15 Cup in Quinte West, ON—Canada's largest amateur team sport competition, featuring top team from each province. Following a week of games, the Jr. Gryphons came away with the bronze medal, proudly representing Guelph on the national stage.
The Guelph 2009 Jr Gryphons Academy team would like to thank all their sponsors: The Bamco Group, Access Storage, Royal City Optometry, Delanium Electrical, Robinson Buick GMC Ltd., Everlasting Door and Kein Welding & Fabrication. They would also like to express their gratitude to Guelph Soccer, Ontario Soccer, and all of their dedicated coaches for their unwavering support and guidance.
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