The Howe Sound Men's Soccer League returned to the pitch after a three-month break on Sunday (Feb. 7), and with it, a rejuvenated Ellis Moving Eagles side.
The Eagles took out league-leading Khalsa 3-2 in a feisty afternoon game at Quest University's turf field. Players and league officials decided to change venues for the second half of the season because wet weather is restricting Brennan Park action to the gravel all-weather fields.
The Eagles looked right at home on the fast turf field, getting out to a 1-0 lead at halftime after James Bellinger knocked in a penalty kick. Chad Guida scored Ellis's second goal on a clean tick-tack-toe play but Khalsa's Russell Adams responded with a goal of his own.
The teams exchanged attacks throughout the second half until Adams buried his second goal to tie the game 2-2.
Ellis came through in the final minutes with an outstanding game-winning goal. Bellinger controlled the ball in the offensive corner before chipping the ball up for Phil Dubrulle, who was positioned in close. Dubrulle re-directed the ball with his head and found Chad Pereira waiting at the far side of the goal with a ready boot.
"This was a statement game for us," said Dubrulle, who is tied for fifth place in the league scoring race.
"There's good energy on our team and the fitness level is up."
Goalkeeper Kim Stanley stood tall in between the posts to fend off Khalsa's late push. He said beating the league's top team is particularly encouraging because Ellis finished the first half of the season with a losing record of two wins, three losses and three draws.
"They're a tough team so it was good to start the second half that way to get going on a winning note," said Stanley. "It was a big win for us. Hopefully, we can keep it going in the second half."
In the late game, Terry Pettersen led the Dyer Straits to a 5-0 victory over Zephyr FC with two goals. Nick Bolkowy, Joe Davidson and Brent Williston also scored.
The win moves Dyer Straits up to a tie for second place with Canex, which had a bye this weekend. Both teams have 15 points behind Khalsa, which has 17 points. Ellis Moving has 12 points and Zephyr FC has yet to earn a point with five consecutive losses.
