NEWS RELEASE
SIMCOE COUNTY ROVERS FC
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Cold and rainy weather did not stop the Simcoe County Rovers from performing in front of a resilient and excited home crowd at J.C. Massie Field at Georgian College as both the men and women’s teams were victorious in a much-anticipated season-opener double-header.
The women’s and men’s teams combined for an outstanding 11 goals, and it’s clear from the early results that the club is committed to playing an attractive, attacking brand of football leveraging the high skill level of the players.
Wearing the City of Barrie Tartan, local favourites Barrie Pipes and Drums kicked off the festivities by proudly marching the players into the stadium and performing the national anthem in front of an exuberant hometown crowd. RogersTV was on premise to broadcast the game and KOOL FM brought a crew to engage with Rovers fans.
The day began with the women soundly defeating Guelph United, 5-1, in a dominant display to secure their first win of the season. The victory marked the first L10W win for new head coach Dave Kelly.
Rovers took the early lead in the 14th minute on a Guelph own goal. Brianne “Buckets” Desa led the way with two brilliant goals in the 25th and 60th minute while Soumaya Bouak and Cassidy Brooks opened their scoring accounts in the 50th and 90th minute to help secure the victory and start the season on a positive note.
What made this season opener extra special for the team was that three sisters, Cloey, Kayla and Carley Uddenberg, got to play in the same match for the first time. All three women have represented St. Kitts and Nevis internationally and their impactful play was visible all over the pitch.
The team also featured seven local reserve players on the roster, highlighting the club’s commitment to developing local talent and providing a competitive environment to train, learn and grow in.
The men’s squad came out firing on all levels taking control of the match early and punishing Masters FA, 6-0. This scoreline broke a single-game scoring record for an L10 team.
The Rovers struck for four unanswered first-half goals – with two coming from Jevontae Layne in the 17th and 18th minute. Orlendis Benitez-Hernandez scored on a beautifully executed free kick in the 33rd minute and Ijah Halley added to the tally, finding the back of the net with his first goal of the season in the 33rd minute.
The second half saw two more goals added by the Rovers. Darius Kerr Cooper scored in the 51st minute and Masters conceded an own goal in the 72nd minute to seal the win and start the season on a winning note. It’s worth noting that the 6-0 win is easily the men’s record victory since joining League1 last season.
With a victory in hand and confidence building, the men get ready to face the Woodbridge Strikers at J.C. Massie Field at Georgian College on Sunday, April 30 at 6.30 p.m. This will be the first visit to Barrie by the Woodbridge Strikers. The women’s next home game comes on May 21.
Single and group tickets to the match can be purchased by clicking here
Be sure to check out Rovers FC TV this Friday, April 28 at 7 p.m. on five RogersTV community channels in Barrie and Simcoe County, or stream online.
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