Union connects to nip Darby FC in opener

GUELPH – Guelph Union opened their League1 Ontario women’s premier soccer league season Sunday afternoon with a 1-0 victory over Darby FC of Clarington at Alumni Stadium.

The lone goal came in the eighth minute of the second half when Tessa Ladhani broke free and booted a 30-yard shot just inside the post.

Guelph Union 1 Darby FC 0

Ladhani was set free by a big boot from Guelph goalkeeper Libby Brenneman.

Brenneman also did what she did an awful lot of times during her five seasons (2014-2018) of university play with the Guelph Gryphons when she recorded the shutout. With the Gryphs she had a total of 27 clean sheets including 11 in 2016 and nine in the 10 games she played in 2018.

The game was the first ever in L1O’s women’s premier league for Union as they had won the university division last year by taking all six of their outings. That division was created due to the pandemic causing an extremely late start to the season making it difficult for university players to compete in the premier league as its season was extended well beyond the start of the first semester of school.

Union are to be in action Sunday when they’re to take on Unionville Milliken SC at Bill Crothers Secondary School. Game time is 7 p.m. Unionville was clobbered 8-1 by FC London in Unionville Sunday.

• Guelph Sports Journal