Another game, another victory for Guelph United

GUELPH – It didn’t take long for Guelph United FC to net their first goal of the game Friday night on their way to their sixth win in as many League1 Ontario Men’s Premier soccer league outings.

Alexander Zis chipped a shot in from 35 yards out eight seconds into the match to propel United to a 6-0 victory over the North Mississauga FC Panthers at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre.

Guelph United 6 North Mississauga 0

The goal was the first of three for Zis, a total matched by captain Jace Kotsopoulos. Of the 29 goals United has netted this season, Kotsopoulos has scored 11 of them while Zis has eight and Tomasz Skublak has five.

“It was a very pleasing performance today from the boys after the forced break,” coach Keith Mason said in a news release. “I thought we were dominant and thoroughly deserved the victory with many outstanding individuals and team performance.”

The shutout was the fifth of the season for United and goalkeeper Svyatoslav Artemenko.

The loss dropped North Mississauga to 1-5-1.

The game was the first for United since they defeated Blue Devils FC 5-0 at Oakville Aug. 29. They had a game scheduled for Sept. 11 at Alumni Stadium against Sigma FC postponed when a member of the visiting team tested positive for COVID-19. United is awaiting the rescheduling of that game.

United, first in the West Division at 6-0-0, is to play second-place FC London (5-1-0) at London’s Hellenic Community Centre Friday at 8:30 p.m. London’s lone loss was a 6-0 setback to United at Alumni Stadium in United’s league debut July 30.

Next home game for United is slated for Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. at Alumni Stadium against Scrosoppi FC (1-4-1). United edged Scrosoppi 1-0 at Milton Aug. 6.

• Guelph Sports Journal