Goalkeeper stands tall in draw
KITCHENER — Eastwood Rebels captain Gerlin Arita Perez issued one final directive as he walked off the pitch at Woodside Park.
“Guys, thank your ’keeper,” he said following the postgame handshakes. “Make sure you thank your ’keeper.”
Eastwood goalkeeper Philip Grammenos was the difference Thursday as the Rebels played to a 1-1 tie with the Cameron Heights Golden Gaels in Waterloo County (WCSSAA) senior boys soccer league play. Grammenos’ top-shelf performance included a pair of penalty kick saves as the Rebels improved to 1-0-1 on the season. Cameron Heights, the league’s reigning champion, is now 0-1-1.
Grammenos, a first-year senior, made several early saves before stopping Sharif Ise on a penalty kick in the 23rd minute. His second penalty kick save came in the 80th minute and this time he simply stood his ground as Cameron Heights striker Jonny Monney fired his attempt right down the middle.
“I have a thing for penalties, I knew where they were going to shoot, it’s like an instinct,” said Grammenos. “I’ve never stopped two in a game before, so this is great. We fought hard to get the point against a tough team.”
The WCSSAA senior boys soccer league schedule resumed Thursday with eight games being played at RIM Park and Woodside Park.
The 16-team league has eight squads competing in the Premier Division and an additional eight in the First Division. All regularseason games will be played on artificial turf and 12 teams will qualify for the post season that starts May 15.
Cameron Heights, which defeated the Bluevale Knights in last year’s final, opened the scoring in the 29th minute on a leftfooted blast by Monney. The speedy striker took advantage of a rare defensive gaffe by Eastwood and beat Grammenos from close range.
Eastwood responded just seven minutes later when striker Trev Lewis headed the ball past Cameron Heights goalkeeper Mustapha Zaidi, who had no chance on the play.
The Golden Gaels, playing with the wind at their backs, dominated the second half but were thwarted by Eastwood’s strong defence and the spectacular play of Grammenos.
Sasha Dmitrovic looked to be well on his way to giving Cameron Heights a 2-1 lead near the end but Eastwood defender Gabriel Sandoval hauled him down inside the 18-yard box and earned a red card for his actions. Monney stepped up to take the penalty kick but failed to connect.
Cameron Heights defender Alireza Shamsaei said his team was frustrated after their second consecutive disappointing result — they opened with a 4-1 loss to the Sir John A. Macdonald Highlanders — but is hopeful it can be turned around.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with the team but I’m working on it,” he said.
“I’ve been talking to them a lot in practice and it’s just a matter of time.”
A knee injury forced Shamsaei to miss last year’s run that included a victory at the Central Western Ontario (CWOSSA) championship and an appearance at the all-Ontario (OFSAA) championship.