OFSSA: Day One

Lajeunesse Rebounds Strong After Opening Loss in Norwood

NORWOOD — After dropping their opener 2-0 to Heritage Christian School, Les Royals de Lajeunesse responded in a big way Thursday, rolling past ESC Algonquin 5-0 at the OFSAA A soccer championship.

Alexa Chauvin was the story of the afternoon, potting a hat trick to lead the offensive charge.

Lajeunesse will look to carry that momentum into Friday's final two pool play games, squaring off against É.S. Père René de Galinée before closing out the round robin against COSSA champions Quinte Christian High School.

Tecumseh Vista Rebounds With Dominant Win After Day One Opener

NORWOOD — It was a tale of two halves — and two very different games — for the Tecumseh Vista Academy Vortex on Thursday at the OFSAA A soccer championship.

TVA showed early promise against Bishop MacDonnell CHS, trailing just 3-2 at the break on goals from Anica Ferraro and Olivia Day. But the Celtics came out firing in the second half, scoring four unanswered goals to pull away for a 7-2 final.

The Vortex didn't let it linger. In their second game, Tecumseh Vista turned around and hammered ESC Theriault 7-1 in dominant fashion. Ferraro and Maria Vizirakis each found the net three times, while Day added the other as TVA led 5-0 at the half and never looked back.

The Vortex close out pool play Friday with games against Aurora High School and Bayside Secondary.

Villanova Stuns Defending Champs Before Falling in Afternoon

KITCHENER — The Villanova Wildcats turned heads Thursday at the OFSAA AAA soccer championship, upsetting defending champion St. Thomas Aquinas 2-1 before dropping a 3-1 decision to Havergal College in the afternoon.

Mackenzie Doll and Thea Astles supplied the offence as Villanova knocked off the reigning title holders in the opening game.

The momentum didn't carry into game two, however, as Havergal pulled away for the 3-1 win. Isabelle Sakalo provided the lone response for the Wildcats.

Villanova closes out pool play Friday against St. Mary's College and Resurrection CSS.

Holy Names Opens OFSAA With Split in Grimsby

GRIMSBY — The Holy Names Knights dropped their opener 1-0 to Mother Teresa CSS before bouncing back with a 1-0 victory over Louis-Riel in the afternoon on Thursday at the OFSAA AAA soccer championship.

Ajani Henry provided the only offence of the second match, scoring the game's lone goal, while goalkeeper Jared Reed was sharp throughout, earning the clean sheet.

The Knights have a busy Friday ahead. Holy Names faces Fr. Leo J. Austin at 9:30 a.m. before taking on St. Mary's College at 12:30 p.m. Quarterfinal action is set to begin at 5:15 p.m.

L'Essor Opens OFSAA With Split on Day One

MILTON — Les Aigles de L'Essor opened OFSAA soccer play with a convincing 3-1 victory over St. Mary Catholic Academy before dropping a tight 2-1 decision to Paul Desmarais School on Thursday in Milton.

In the opener, Serge Hopogap, Gradi Kaleba and Patrick Molenda each found the back of the net as L'Essor controlled the contest from start to finish.

The second match was a different story. Paul Desmarais pulled out the narrow win, with Kaleba accounting for L'Essor's only goal in the loss.

Les Aigles return to the pitch Friday with two crucial pool play games remaining. They face Kings Christian College at 8 a.m. before closing out the round robin against St. Benedict CSS at 11 a.m.