Gameday in 5
A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (May 24-29) — for London’s teams and athletes.
After seven straight wins to start the season, FC London’s women’s team suffered its first defeat Sunday, 3-0 to Simcoe County. The team is back in action Saturday at home vs. Burlington SC. (Photo: League1 Ontario).
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The Lightning are a win away from capturing the 2022 NBLC championship following a week in which they took both Games 1 and 2 against the K-W Titans in the league finals.
Though they didn’t come out firing on all cylinders, the Lightning produced a strong second half Friday night to beat the Titans 116-91 in the series’ opening game — at Budweiser Gardens. Trailing by three, 56-53, at the half, London flipped the script in the third quarter, outscoring K-W by 12 in the frame to take a 9-point lead into the fourth. Then the home side put the game out of reach, outscoring the visitors 33-17 in the final quarter to produce the lopsided win.
Chris Jones, coming off the bench once again, led the way offensively for the Lightning, piling up a game-high 39 points (in 41 minutes) with 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Terry Thomas tallied 19 points and 9 rebounds while playing 47 out of a possible 48 minutes. Jermaine Haley had 18, Amir Williams had 14, and Cam Forte produced a double-double (12/10) in just 14 minutes off the bench.
A convincing win Friday was followed by the closest game of the season for the Lightning, who were taken to overtime on Sunday but managed to squeak out a 115-110 win in extra time to put themselves one win away from their fifth league title in franchise history. The two teams exchanged leads numerous times throughout the game, with the contest coming right down to the wire. Tied 103-103, London’s final possession in regulation went awry, and Jones missed a low percentage desperation three-pointer at the buzzer. That set up overtime, where Haley scored a couple of quick buckets and then the home side won it at the free throw line. They outscored the Titans 12-7 in the extra five minutes to secure the win and put them on the precipice of this year’s NBLC title.
Thomas was the team’s top scorer in Game 2 with 28 points (this time, in 51 minutes). He also had 10 rebounds for the double-double — in addition to 4 steals and 3 assists. Jones (17 points, 10 assists) and Forte (16 points, 11 rebounds) also double-doubled, while Haley and Jordan Burns put up 21 and 18 points, respectively.
Up next:
The NBLC Finals resumes Wednesday at the Aud in Kitchener for Game 3. If necessary, Game 4 will also be at the Aud, on Friday, while a Game 5 would be back in London’s Budweiser Gardens next Monday.
Wed. June 1 (7:00pm @ KW Titans)
Fri. June 3 (7:00pm @ KW Titans) (If necessary)
2022 NBLC Finals: London Lightning (1) vs. KW Titans (3) (London leads series 2-0):
Game 1 | Lightning 116 vs. KW Titans 91
Game 2 | Lightning 115 vs. KW Titans 110
Game 3 | London Lightning at KW Titans | 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 1
Game 4* | London Lightning at KW Titans | 7 p.m. Friday, June 3
Game 5* | KW Titans at London Lightning | 7 p.m. Monday, June 6
* If necessary
A three-game slate turned into a two-game weekend for the London Majors after Friday night’s scheduled home matchup against the Hamilton Cardinals was postponed due to the rainy weather and field conditions. After that, the Majors won both their contests — both on the road — to improve to 4-1 on the season.
On Saturday, London traveled to Barrie, where they put up 12 runs to claim a lopsided 12-2 win over the Baycats at Vintage Throne Stadium. The Majors pounded out 16 hits, including five in a 7-run fourth inning that blew the game open. Robert Mullen homered to start the inning, Drew Lawrence drove in three with a bases-loaded triple, and Cleveland Brownlee launched a three-run homer in the frame.
Lawrence finished 3-for-6 with three runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Mullen also had three hits in the game, while Brownlee and Starling Joseph notched two hits apiece. Chris McQueen reached three times and scored twice, while Keith Kandel popped a solo homer. On the mound, Jose Arias was strong once again for London, tossing 7 shutout innings. The right-hander allowed just four hits and struck out eight on the day (he walked three). Pedro De Los Santos worked the final two innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits. He struck out one.
After a convincing win Saturday, the Majors kept their momentum going in Brantford, as they took down the Red Sox 8-2 in a Sunday matinee. Owen Boon improved his record to 3-0 with another solid outing on the mound for London. The veteran righty allowed two runs on seven hits in 7 innings of work. He struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter. With the game tied 2-2 to start the 5th, Starling Joseph hit a big three-run home run to break the game open. Lawrence, Brownlee and Mullen each had multi-hit games, while Taylor Wright had a pair of RBIs. Fernando Fernandez and Connor Ambrogio tossed a scoreless inning each out of the bullpen.
Up next:
The Majors play a pair this weekend, including Friday night’s Fergie Jenkins Day at Labatt Park. They’ll hit the road Sunday for their first against the Hamilton Cardinals.
Fri. June 3 (7:35pm vs. Toronto Maple Leafs)
Sun. June 5 (2:05pm @ Hamilton Cardinals)
Women’s team:
After running their win streak to 7 games in a row, FC London’s Women’s team suffered their first loss of the season Sunday. The team started the week strong by beating Blue Devils FC 3-1 on Wednesday. The team scored twice in the first half, with Ally Hicks opening the scoring in the 19th minute and Julia Benati extending the lead in the 37th minute. After the break, Sadie Waite made it 3-0 with her second goal of the season. FC London allowed a late goal but held on for the win.
On Sunday, the women were shut down for the first time this season, as they lost 3-0 on the road to Simcoe County. Down a goal to start the second half the team was unable to respond. Simcoe added to their lead late scoring twice shutting the door on FC London.
Up next:
The women (7-1-0) will look to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they host Burlington SC (0-8-0) on Saturday at the Portuguese Club.
Sat. June 4 (4:00pm vs. Burlington SC)
Men’s team:
FC London’s men’s team dropped their fifth match of the season on Saturday night, this time a 3-1 decision against Pickering FC at home. Mike Sneddon scored London’s lone goal, his third of the season, in the 67th minute. Fifteen different players saw action for FC London in the contest, while Jaron Slopinski played the full 90 minutes in goal.
Up next:
The men (1-5-1) have a single game on the slate this week, as they’ll host Hamilton United (4-3-0) at London’s Portuguese Club on Saturday evening.
Sat. June 4 (7:00pm vs. Hamilton United)
Around the Perimeter: London and KW are the final two teams standing. It’s experience vs. youth; Will Lightning match the Titans’ energy?; Will defense decide this matchup? Read our series preview …