Banner Season: Toronto topples Ottawa to finish fall season in triumphant fashion
Ottawa, Ont. (via Ottawa Gee-Gees) – Despite a competitive start to the OUA Water Polo championship
The Toronto Varsity Blues earned their seventh consecutive OUA water polo championship, defeating the host Ottawa Gee-Gees 19-6 at the Nepean Sportsplex on Sunday.
Early action in the final was competitive, with Ottawa rising to the occasion to score twice in the first three minutes, with Toronto responding to hold a slim 5-2 lead after the first frame.
The Varsity Blues hit their stride in the second quarter, extending their lead to 10-3 at halftime thanks in part to Cameron Hexter and Omer Sayli, who both found the net twice in the second.
Ottawa showed their fight coming out in the second half with back-to-back goals from Adrien Wera to bring the score to 11-5. Toronto then pulled away for good, scoring eight unanswered goals before the Gee-Gees added their last tally in the dying seconds to make it 19-6 final.
In all, the Blues were led by Timmy Pourkazemi, who scored five times to help propel his team to victory. Hexter finished with four goals, while MVP Diego Gonzalez Delgado added three in the win.
Toronto’s continued dominance hands them their 36th title in the history of the OUA and its predecessors, dating back to the Varsity Blues’ first recorded title in 1926.
In bronze medal action, the Queen’s Gaels were victorious over the McMaster Marauders by a score of 14-5. The Gaels rode a massive second half effort to claim their medal, a tight matchup early, Queen’s only held a 6-4 lead at halftime, before erupting for eight second half goals to secure the win. In all, the Gaels were led by JP LeBlanc and George Huang who scored three goals apiece.
In consolation action, the Western Mustangs finished fifth ahead of the Carleton Ravens with a thrilling 17-15 win that was decided in a shootout.
Awards:
Most Valuable Player - Diego Gonzalez Delgado, Toronto
Most Valuable Goalie - Miguel Garcia Alonso, Toronto
Coach of the Year - Tuna Tali, Toronto