Men's soccer squads facing off for Dagostino Cup

The Dagostino Cup has undergone something of a refresher this year. The in-season tournament, typically open to teams taking part in the SRSA (Sudbury Regional Soccer Association) competitive ranks, was adjusted in line with the changing landscape that is men's soccer in Greater Sudbury for 2015.

A field of no less than 17 teams were entered in the single elimination playdown, with a trio from the Premier league, 13 representing the Italia Flyers Recreational Men's League, as well as the U21 GSSC Impact all vying for bragging rights on the pitch.

Play kicked off on Tuesday of this week, with the DQ Blizzards surprising Moto Guzzi on goals from Brent and Derek Huffels.

The second encounter, matching R.P.G. Against Tucos Tacos, required penalty kicks to settle matters, after the teams battled their way through a pair of scoreless 25 minute halves.

In fact, even the five-person session accomplished little, as goals from Tibor Berez, Taus Jorgenson, Mike McNeill and Devon Cranston of R.P.G. were offset by strikes from Dave Kaltiainen, Mauricio Del Olmo, Dino Basso and Enzo Bitetto of the Tucos clan.

When Billy Wylie was turned aside on the sixth attempt for R.P.G., the door was left open for former Laurentian Voyageur and current Confederation Charger head coach Brad Smith to send the Tacos-sponsored lads home happy.

"I've taken a few (penalty kicks) over the years," said Smith. "It's never a fun situation to be in, but luckily it went in, so it was a good feeling."

Both R.P.G. and Tucos Tacos are among the large contingent of rec teams that normally would not compete in this event, with most participants seemingly thankful for the extra games and an even greater variety of opponents.

"I think it's a good idea, because there's only three teams in the competitive division this year, and that wouldn't make for much of a tournament," said Smith. "It's good for the rec league, which is actually pretty competitive. It's a higher standard this year."

While the two squads had not gone head-to-head yet this summer, there was certainly no lack of familiarity between the veteran-laden rosters.

"We're two pretty evenly matched teams, a little older, a little longer in the tooth," said Smith.

"But we managed to play our styles well, which is to let the ball do the work, and not to over-do it with the running." A third encounter on Tuesday would see Stack FC post a 3-0 shutout win over Zulich Enterprise.