Winnipeg Hellas SC win the 2009 Challenge Trophy

Winnipeg Hellas SC won the 2009 BMO National Championships after they beat the Royal-Sélect Beauport in the Canadian Final at the SaskTel Fieldhouse in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Hellas SC lifted the Challenge Trophy after the 1:0 victory on a goal by substitute Chris Musto. Goalkeeper Dylan O’Connor and his backline posted the clean sheet.

Matches at this year’s National Championships were limited to just 60 minutes after winter weather moved all matches indoors to the SaskTel Fieldhouse. To reach the Canadian Final, Hellas SC won their group, notably defeating the reigning national champions Calgary Callies in the opening match (Winnipeg’s only 90-minute match outdoors before the weather turned).

“We realized as a team that nothing was impossible,” said Winnipeg Head Coach Kosta Vailes. “We took one game at a time and we did amazing.”

Hellas SC won 2:1 over Calgary, won 1:0 over West Van FC, lost 3:0 to Saskatoon Huskie Alumni, and won 2:0 over Real Toronto FC.

For the Canadian Final, Hellas SC started with Dylan O’Connor (goal), Billy Economou, Edin Kurbegovic, Tom Foderaro, Andry Giesbrecht, Dimitri Ifandis, Tim Mullen, Jeff Valdivia, Thomas Findlay, Trevor Perrault, and Jordan Goetting. Winnipeg’s Head Coach Kostas Vailas featured Vinny Ferlaino, Jorge Mendez, Chris Musto, Ulrick Disna and Justin Castalanos as substitutes. Kyle Kilcup, Philip Porpiglia, Fabio Capone and Yiannis Tsalatsides dressed but did not feature.