Woodbridge Strikers

Woodbridge Strikers Soccer Club is a Canadian semi-professional soccer club based in Woodbridge, Ontario. The club was founded in 1976 as a youth soccer club and added its semi-professional club in League1 Ontario in 2014.[1] The team plays home games at Vaughan Grove Park.[2]

Woodbridge Strikers
Full nameWoodbridge Strikers Soccer Club
Founded1976 / 2014
StadiumVaughan Grove Park
Head CoachPeter Pinizzotto
LeagueLeague1 Ontario
2019League1 Ontario, 8th
Playoffs: Quarter-finals
WebsiteClub website

The club was one of the ten original founding men's teams in League1 Ontario, which was established in 2014, as well as one of eight original founding Women's teams, which was established in 2015.

History

The club's history dates back to 1972, when the East Woodbridge Soccer Club and West Woodbridge Soccer Club were created to serve the Woodbridge Community. In 1976, these two clubs merged to form Woodbridge Soccer Club.[3]

In 2014, the semi-professional club was established to play in the newly formed League1 Ontario as one of the founding members.[4][5]

Woodbridge played their first match on June 1, 2014 against ANB Futbol, which they won 2–1.[6]

In 2015, Woodbridge won the League1 Ontario League Cup, defeating Sigma FC 2–1 in the finals.[7] They repeated as champions in the 2017 League1 Ontario League Cup with a 3–1 victory over Vaughan Azzurri in the finals.[8] They lost in the 2017 League1 Championship final to the Oakville Blue Devils in a penalty shoot-out,[9] narrowly missing out on the opportunity to represent the league in the 2018 Canadian Championship as a result.[10] They again lost in the 2018 Playoff Final, this time against Vaughan Azzurri, missing out on the Canadian Championship for the second consecutive year.[11]

They added a women's club to participate in the inaugural 2015 women's season.[12] In 2018, the women won their first trophy, capturing the League Cup.[13]

Coaching staff

[14]

Seasons

Men
Season League Teams Record Rank Playoffs League Cup Ref
2014 League1 Ontario 9 10–3–3 2nd – Group stage [15]
2015 12 15–2–5 2nd – Champions [15]
2016 16 15–2–5 2nd, Eastern (2nd) Did not qualify Runner-up [15]
2017 16 15–5–2 1st, Eastern (3rd) Runner-up Champions [15]
2018 17 8–4–4 6th Runner-up Quarter-finals [15]
2019 16 8–1–6 8th Quarter-finals – [15]
2020 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[16]

Women
Season League Teams Record Rank Playoffs League Cup Ref
2015 League1 Ontario 7 13–2–3 2nd – Semi-finals [17]
2016 9 11–3–2 2nd – Finalists [17]
2017 11 9–2–9 7th – Finalists [17]
2018 13 9–3–0 2nd Finalists Champions [17]
2019 14 7–1–5 4th Semi-finals – [17]
2020 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[16]

Notable former players

Honours

References
  1. Hayakawa, Michael (April 10, 2014). "Vaughan to field 2 teams in inaugural soccer league". Vaughan Citizen.
  2. Kelly, Tim (April 14, 2014). "Soccer season in Vaughan a sure sign of spring". Vaughan Citizen.
  3. "History of WSC". Woodbridge SC.
  4. "Ontario launches provincial semi-professional men's league". Canadian Soccer Association. April 8, 2014.
  5. "OSA announces League1 Ontario teams". Ontario Soccer Association. April 8, 2014. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014.
  6. Kelly, Tim (May 29, 2014). "New soccer club in King Township fills gap for rising stars". King Connection.
  7. "Woodbridge Strikers Hold On to win League1 Ontario Men's L1O Cup". Ontario Soccer Association. August 9, 2015.
  8. "L1 Cup 2017 Champions crowned". Vaughan Citizen. August 8, 2017.
  9. Cudmore, John (October 22, 2017). "League1 Soccer: Oakville Blue Devils top Woodbridge Strikers in kicks". Vaughan Citizen.
  10. Davidson, Neil (June 5, 2018). "Oakville Blue Devils look to impress in first Canadian soccer championship appearance". Toronto Star.
  11. Baldwin, Dan (October 23, 2019). "L1O Final: Azzurri give Woodbridge the Blues". Northern Starting XI.
  12. Rowaan, Dave (January 29, 2015). "League 1 Ontario announces expansion teams for 2015 season". Waking The Red.
  13. "Top 2018 Performers Recognized At Year-End Awards Gala". League1 Ontario. November 26, 2018.
  14. "WSC Technical Staff". Woodbridge SC.
  15. "League1 Ontario Historical Standings Men's Division". Canadian Soccer History Archives.
  16. "League1 Ontario cancels Fall season plans for 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions". Canadian Premier League. September 4, 2020.
  17. "League1 Ontario Historical Standings Women's Division". Canadian Soccer History Archives.
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