The Thunder Bay Chill will enter their 12^th season of play Saturday morning with only 6 players returning from the 2011 line up. The upside is three of them are key players in the back starting with last year’s PDL Goalkeeper of the year Stephen Paterson (CAN). Joining him in the back is Zetroy Robertson (JAM) and Sicelio Buthelezi (SAF). Midfielder Fernando Alvarez (USA), Gavin Hoy (CAN), and Jonathan Czaczkowski (CAN) will also be returning.

The Thunder Bay Chill had another successful season in 2011 losing out in the semi-finals to eventual champions Kitsap Pumas. That visit was the 3^rd in 5 years for the Chill which has set some high standards and expectations for the new players coming into camp this weekend.

The Chill will finalize their roster to 23 players as per league rules. They will use next weekend’s exhibition games vs. Winnipeg Lions as a final test for players who are expected to make the roster. The Chill will face the Lions on Saturday May 19^th at 7:30pm and then again on Sunday May 20^th at 1:00pm. Both games are set for Chapples Park. Thunder Bay will open at home this year with their first set of league games on May 25^th and 26^th at Chapples Park vs. WSA Winnipeg. Chill went 3 wins and 1 loss last year to the league newcomers. Both games are set for 7:30pm kick-off.

Other Notes:

The Chill has moved their weekend training camp to the following:

Saturday May 12 – 10am – Noon at Chapples Park

Saturday May 12 – 6pm – 8pm at Fort William Stadium

Sunday May 13 – 10am – Noon at Fort William Stadium

Sunday May 13 – 6pm – 8pm at Fort William Stadium

Season tickets are now on sale until Friday May 18^th, 2012. Tickets can be purchased at our office between 5:30pm – 7:30pm on Tuesday and Thursday’s. For more information on seating chart and ticket prices, visit our website at www.thunderbaychill.com.

After a season that saw the playoff race come down to the final game, the PDL’s Heartland Division is expecting more of the same this year as a number of teams hope to challenge last year’s playoff sides the Thunder Bay Chill and the Des Moines Menace for a spot in the postseason. After missing out on a tiebreaker last season, the Real Colorado Foxes will be back to challenge again, and the St. Louis Lions are also hoping to join the playoff contenders after a big offseason.

DES MOINES MENACE – The Menace took victory in their final regular season contest to book their return to the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. This year they’ll have to overcome some departures, with John Sosa now playing in the MISL and Deshorn Brown now playing for Reading United. Lebogang Moloto returns, however, after scoring six goals in 2011, and he’s joined by Creighton’s Brent Kallman and North Carolina’s Carlos McCrary, who had three goals and an assist for the NCAA Division I Champions last fall.

KANSAS CITY BRASS – The Brass finished fourth in the division a season ago, but well off the pace of the top three with a record of 4-8-4. The biggest fix for Coach Lincoln Roblee, who will enter his second season this year, will be to find a stronger defensive presence after the Brass allowed more than two goals-per-game last season.

REAL COLORADO FOXES – After the first appearance in the U.S. Open Cup a year ago, the Foxes will be aiming for their first playoff place this season after missing out on games won as they finished tied with the Menace on 36 points. Coach Leigh Davies will have the chance to accomplish that, with leading scorer Lorne Donaldson returning after recording 18 points a season ago. He’s joined by Sterling Copeland, who had four goals and five assists, while goalkeeper Miguel Rosales posted a 0.947 goals against-average a season ago.

SPRINGFIELD DEMIZE – The Demize are hoping to turn their fortunes around after a season that saw them win just once in the league. To try and accomplish that, East Texas Baptist’s Jose Esparza returns after leading the side with three goals last summer, while defender Michael Gow brings experience after making 13 appearances a season ago.

ST. LOUIS LIONS – The Lions are aiming to be a side that makes a jump forward this season to try and match the club’s playoff appearance in 2007. Alen Bradaric returns to the side for his seventh season, while Dean Lovegrove will aim to improve on his three goals and three assists from a season ago. The key for Tony Glavin’s team, though, will be whether they can turn draws into victories and find the next level.

THUNDER BAY CHILL – After winning the division, and reaching the national semifinals, a season ago, Tony Colistro’s side will try to reach the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season this summer. A big key to the Chill’s success has been their home record; they have gone 12-1-3 at home in the past two seasons, and will hope to continue that this year.

WSA WINNIPEG – WSA’s first season in the PDL saw its fair share of remarkable moments, including handing Thunder Bay one of only two defeats in the regular season. This season Eduardo Badescu will be looking for greater consistency from his side, which sees the return of captain Irving Garcia after playing in every game last season. Also back for a second season is Liberian Amos Ganyea, who had seven points last summer, and midfielder Greg Kulczycki, who had the second-most minutes on the team a year ago.

The Jr. Reserve Female team and Jr. Reserve Male team went undefeated. The females had two wins and two ties with Ashlyn Cook leading the way in scoring with 4 goals. Anna McLean registered 2 shutouts in four games. The Jr. Reserve males finished with 1 win and 2 ties. Bryce Borek registered two shutouts playing in goal.

Although missing some key players, the Reserve Males showed how deep their squad and why they were crowned Provincial champions in 2011. The Reserve males finished the weekend with 2 wins and 2 losses. All the losses were by a goal and in the final phases of the game.

The Select Males finished the weekend with 1win, 1 loss, and 2 ties. Tyson Lederman played in goal for all four games. Anthony Valente and Nic Chiapetta led the team with two goals each over the weekend. “All the teams performed exceptionally well and I think you will see us improve on our results as the season progresses,” commented Head Coach Saverio Lento.

The teams are now scheduled to play May 12^th and 13^th for the next round of league play. For complete schedules, scores, and statistics, please see attached.

STANDINGS

For standings & Schedules view the "statistics" tab at the top of the page
 

“Sawula is an extraordinary player who possesses tremendous soccer abilities and has a great passion for the game,” says coach Saverio Lento. Sawula was named to the 30 man roster that will be travelling to Spain for a 10 day tour in March, where they will train and play against the top clubs in Spain. The team will also get to watch power house Barcelona FC play.

Anna Maclean was also named to the U15 Girls Ontario Provincial team. Anna is one of the 5 goalkeepers competing for a starting spot, where the team is preparing for Nationals in Quebec.

Both players have been a part of the Chill organization at an early age starting their careers in the Chill grassroots soccer programs and working their way into the Reserve program.

The Chill PDL team has recently announced is schedule. The first game is scheduled for May 19^th, 2012 at Chapples Park. Season tickets are on sale and can be purchased at the Chill office located on the 2^nd floor of the Sportsdome. For more information on ticket prices and Chill youth soccer programs, please visit our website or call our office at 623-5911.

The Chill U15 Boys faced U17 Tri-City from North Dakota which saw them come from a 2-0 deficit to eventually out score their opponents to take the title 3-2. “It was a special win for our players coming back to win the final they lost last year,” said head coach Saverio Lento.

The U11 Boys division saw an unusual final as both Chill U11boys squared off for the title game. The Chill U11 Boys Blue won the game 2-1, “It was great to see both our Chill teams meet in the final. This was our goal heading to the tournament. We have a strong core of players at this age group so we decided to split the two teams equally. It was an interesting final to coach”, said team boss Wilson Neto.

The U12 girl’s final was a rematch of last year where the Chill girls lost in penalty kicks. The Winnipeg Phoenix girls prevailed to win 2-1 with a goal in the final few minutes.

The Chill U13 Boys faced a strong Winnipeg South End United in the final. This game was also a rematch from last year’s final which the Chill won; however WSEU would end up taking this title 1-0.

Probably one of the most exciting was a nail biting win for the Chill U9 girls and Winnipeg Melrose. After regulation it was scoreless sending the teams to extra time. The final had to be decided by kicks from the penalty spot. Chill goalkeeper Erin Szturm was perfect as she saved all 5 shots, Julianna Jewell scored the winning penalty kick as the Chill U9 girls took home gold in their first ever tournament competition.

The Chill Reserve program will now spend the next couple of weeks completing their indoor program at the Sports Dome before preparations for the outdoor program commences in April. The Chill only travel to one indoor tournament in the winter as a club as compared to several tourneys that take place in the US during the summer months.

FINAL GAME RESULTS

CHILL U-9 GIRLS

2012 PDL SCHEDULE

Tbaytel’s exclusive partnership will provide the organization as the primary partner with logo exposure on the fronts of every Chill jersey from youth to the first team. In addition to other name exposure and game day promotions, game day tickets will also be distributed throughout the company for staff and clients. Today the branding of both Chill and Tbaytel logos has made its way globally with the recent success of the Thunder Bay Chill PDL team and the continued rise of the Chill Reserve youth teams.

“At Tbaytel, we believe in the power of sport to shape destinies, make unforgettable memories, forge lifelong friendships, and enrich communities,” said Don Campbell, President & CEO Tbaytel. “Through our community sponsorship we are honoured to support the Thunder Bay Chill. Sports add life to communities and Tbaytel is proud to be on the team.”

The Chill will be announcing their 2012 schedule shortly. The first game is scheduled for May 19^th, 2012 at Chapples Park. Season tickets are selling well and can be purchased at the Chill office. For more information on ticket prices and Chill youth soccer programs, please visit our website or call our office at 623-5911.

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About Tbaytel
Tbaytel has been a telecom pioneer in Thunder Bay and Northern Ontario since 1902. As Thunder Bay’s first and only municipally-owned telephone company, Tbaytel has grown to become the largest independently owned telecommunications provider in Canada.

As Northern Ontario’s leading telecommunications provider, Tbaytel is dedicated to delivering advanced, competitively priced telecom solutions that ensure people, businesses and communities have varied and reliable points of access to global digital communications. Tbaytel offers the region’s largest 4G HSPA+ digital cellular network with extensive products and services that include Data, Voice, Wireless, Internet, Digital TV and Security. For more information about Tbaytel, visit our website at www.tbaytel.net.

For more information contact:

Thunder Bay Chill S.C

807-623-5911

tbchill@tbaytel.net

Thunder Bay Chill U14 Boys defeated the FC London 98 in the first semi-final of the day by a score of 4-3 on Kicks from the Penalty Mark after regulation time ended in a 1-1 draw. London’s only goal came from Andrew Stevens, while Matthew Pawlicki scored Thunder Bay’s lone goal.

In the Under 14 Boys Final, "NORTH" met "EAST" with Ottawa South United Force 98 and Thunder Bay Chill facing off. Ottawa started with a goal five minutes into the first half, and continued the trend for the remainder of the game.

Ottawa scored the first goal of the game on a good shot to the top corner, scored by Mitchell Kurylowicz. Ottawa’s Dani Gorelov then gave his team a three goal lead after scoring two more goals. Michael Avarello added to his team’s tally with a hard shot in front of the Thunder Bay keeper.

Ndzemdzela Langwa scored the last two goals for Ottawa with two similar shots to the top corner of the Thunder Bay net. Thunder Bay’s only goal of the game split Lanqwa’s two goals when Anthony Valente netted the ball off a scramble in front of the net. The final score was 6-1 for Ottawa South United Force who take the Under 14 Boys Trophy home with them. 

SCORES AND RESULTS - U14 Boys

SCORES AND RESULTS - U16 Boys

Mackenzie Pytyck recorded the shut-out for the Chill while Patrick Van Bellenghem and Kristian Zanette get two goals each and Mitchell Voell getting the single. The Chill dominated the game from the start with Voell getting the winner in the 15^th minute. The Chill never looked back with a lock on the lead 3-0 at the half.

The Ontario Cup, the Provincial Soccer Championship, is the largest competition of its kind in Canada, and is The Ontario Soccer Association’s flagship property. The Ontario Cup is one of the oldest sporting events in Canada, first staged in 1901 and operated continuously since that date (with the exception of World War 2).
 
The Ontario Cup involves close to 12,000 athletes, from Windsor’s Roselands to Thunder Bay’s Sleeping Giant, from the Nation’s Capital to Niagara Falls. The competition commences in May, with over 660 teams being drawn into either a Knock-Out round or a Round-Robin style tournament, leading to a pre-determined set of venues throughout the Province for the Semi-Finals held in August. It culminates with the Final Round at The Soccer Centre in Vaughan, with the added prize of a National Club Championship in the Under 14’s, Under 16’s, Under 18’s, Men’s and Women’s divisions.

“Winning an Ontario championship is always prestige and special. I am very proud of the boys considering the age of our roster. We actually have only four players who are 17, three are 16, and the remainder of the boys is 15”, states Head Coach Saverio Lento.

The Reserves are considered the 2^nd team to the PDL squad that lost in their 2^nd straight final four this past August. “We saw this year Jon and Gavin who were part of the 1^st Ontario Cup championship a few years back and now play in our PDL team and I can see this team having similar candidates in a few years,” replied PDL coach Tony Colistro.

This Ontario Cup championship concludes the outdoor season for another Chill youth competitive club. The Girls U14 Select team will play Wednesday night in the Senior Women’s title game and that will finalize the outdoor season for 14 Chill youth competitive teams. The outdoor season was a success for all teams in particular the U14 Boys winning the North Region Soccer title and U12 Boys winning the USA Cup Gold A Flight division.

The Club now prepares the indoor training program. Parents are invited to attend a meeting at the Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel and Suites this Thursday September 22, 2011 at 7:00pm to find out more information about the program.

 SEE ALL THUNDER BAY CHILL VIDEOS ON THE LEFT MENU