By Larry Moko
A rivalry game in senior boys' high school soccer between the St. John Henry Newman Cardinals and Bishop Ryan Celtics had added significance for the Angelini brothers.
That's because Grade 10 student Nico Angelini plays for Newman while Tino, who is in Grade 12, suits up for the Celtics.
Both are centre midfielders.
Their respective teams have faced each other in the last four consecutive Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic league finals. Both schools also brought home AAA-division medals last year when they competed at the OFSAA championships in Kingston.
"It was a fun opportunity to play against (Tino)," Nico said after helping the Cardinals score a 2-0 victory Tuesday over the visitors from BR.
"We had a great time on the field."
According to Nico, Newman's wingers are quick and make good runs when balls are put forward.
"Bishop Ryan's midfield is very good," he pointed out. "Today they didn't finish as well as they could."
The win improved first-place Newman's record to 5-0-1, while Bishop Ryan dropped to 4-2. Each of the league's eight teams qualify for the quarter-final playoffs which are scheduled for May 12.
"It's wide open this year ... any team can win," Newman coach Gerry Moretuzzo said. "But I'm always excited to play against Bishop Ryan. They're a top team and you've got to be ready for them.
"We definitely have a rivalry."
Individually, Moretuzzo said the Angelinis are talented, hard-working team players.
"The thing that impresses me the most is that they're passionate and having fun," the Newman coach added.
"That's what I thought about today when I was watching them play. They actually enjoy the opportunity to play against each other. That's pretty cool.
"I played with their dad years ago."
Newman took the lead in the 29th minute on a penalty kick goal by Stefan Trkulja.
A well-executed cross in the 66th minute by Trkulja then found Ethan Crossan who scored the insurance marker from the top of the box.
Said Moretuzzo: "Stef is our captain and it's his fourth year with us. He was a Grade 9 player who we brought to OFSAA from the junior team.
"He also plays for Roma in St. Catharines."
Trkulja and Crossan are two of the three starters Newman has left from its OFSAA squad of 2025. They also helped the Cardinals capture back-to-back provincial silver medals starting in 2023.
"There's a lot of newness for us this year," Moretuzzo said. "It's a challenge when you've got to bring so many guys into the mix. But they're starting to show they can play right away."
Bishop Ryan won three of four meetings with Newman last season.
When asked to compare his skills with those of his brother, Nico said: "I would say my strengths are vision, long passes and shooting. His strengths are short passes. He's very technically good at dribbling."
Other results saw the Cathedral Gaels defeat the ACMT Jaguars, 2-0, the Bishop Tonnos Titans blank the St. Mary Crusaders, 4-0, and the St. Thomas More Knights top the St. Jean de Brébeuf Braves, 4-1.
Photos by Richard Andoga
More photos on the HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page
