SC Waterloo Region was dominant in their Canadian Soccer League first division debut with a 2-0 victory over the Windsor Stars on Sunday evening.
Defender Dado Hadrovic, an international player recently acquired from the Bosnian club FK Unis, scored both goals for SC Waterloo Region to ensure a victory in the team's home opener at Wilfrid Laurier University's University Stadium.
"(Hadrovic) showed his great form tonight," SC Waterloo Region head coach Lazo Dzepina said through an interpreter. "(Fans) are going to see more of those kinds of players."
SC Waterloo Region was admitted to the Canadian Soccer League's first division for the 2012 season after playing in the league's second division as KW United FC last year.
It only took eight minutes for SC Waterloo Region to register their first goal as a top division team, as Hadrovic finished off a loose ball in the box by firing a low shot through Windsor goalkeeper Anthony Santilli to put Waterloo Region ahead.
From that point SC Waterloo Region took control and did not let go, holding possession of the ball for a large majority of the game.
Hadrovic stuck again just over 10 minutes into the second half. After being denied a chance on goal by a timely defensive header by Windsor midfielder Corey Vickers, Hadrovic blasted a loose ball just inside the far post on the ensuing corner kick to lift SC Waterloo Region to a 2-0 lead.
While Windsor had a number of promising counter attacks, they were all deftly snuffed out by a formidable Waterloo defense.
"They worked hard and defended well," said SC Waterloo Region assistant coach George Knezevic. "They stayed compact on the field without opening up too many gaps and I think that's probably, in the end, why we prevailed."
Waterloo Region goalkeeper Ryan Paumier appeared strong in the few tests he received on Sunday night. His most memorable stop came with twenty five minutes remaining as he denied Windsor forward Rob Malbasic on an open break that looked sure to result in a goal to keep the Stars off the score sheet.
Paumier was replaced by Imad Hukara in the final 10 minutes of action.
Dzepina said he wanted to give the fans a taste of both keepers in the tandem while allowing each an opportunity to display their skills to the new coach.
Hukara was unbeatable in his short appearance, making a number of confident stops including a vital save on a clear break from Windsor midfielder Eric Kiebert to ensure the team's clean sheet.
"Both goalies did an excellent job tonight," Dzepina said through an interpreter. "We've got a great set of goalies for the future. I'm not worried about that."
SC Waterloo Region's next game is on Sunday May 20 at 7 p.m. against London City at University Stadium.
rmccraken@therecord.com
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