The gold medal game in men’s soccer at the 2022 Niagara Canada Summer Games treated a sellout crowd in Welland to a glimpse into who could be playing on the national team in the near future.
Ontario (3-0) and Quebec (2-0-1) both took the new turf pitch at Youngs Sportsplex undefeated, and determined to stay that way.
Ontario came into the clash of titans without allowing a goal after defeating the Northwest Territories, 7-0; and Saskatchewan, 3-0; in pool play and blanking New Brunswick, 2-0; in the semifinal round. After opening with an 8-0 victory over Newfoundland, Quebec tied British Columbia 1-1 and advanced to Friday night’s final by doubling Alberta 2-1.
Quebec only needed 23 minutes to dash the host team’s hopes for another clean slate and, as it would turn out, a gold medal. Insurance goals at the 58-minute mark and with a minute remaining in extra time gave Quebec a 3-0…