By Larry Moko
There's one common denominator between the two senior girls' soccer championships that Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School has won in its history.
Christina Barbati has coached both of those Titan squads.
Tonnos' first Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic title came in 2011 (co-coached by Barbati and Brian Pavlic). And Thursday, Barbati guided the 2025 version of the team to victory again -- a 1-0 decision over the first-place St. John Henry Newman Cardinals (6-0-1).
Tonnos finished the regular schedule in second place with a record of 5-0-2.
"I'm happy for my entire team," Barbati said, "but I'm especially pleased for the Grade 12s who have played soccer every year and come up short until now. It really does mean a lot."
Played in a constant rain at Newman, the game's only goal came off a corner kick in the 22nd minute by Ilaria Mele.
The ball headed towards the near post and went into the net off a Newman defender who was jostling for position with Ava Soccio of the Titans.
"We just got lucky off a corner to find the back of the net," the Tonnos coach added. "The second half was ugly. They had us on the ropes. The weather was a factor for both teams. It was really hard to control the ball."
Grade 9 goalkeeper Olivia DiCaria was a key factor in Tonnos' triumph. She was particularly sharp in defending a flurry of dangerous-looking corner kicks in the second half.
Said Barbati: "We have the best 'keeper in the league. She's kept us in every game. We've actually built the team around her."
DiCaria said Tonnos dug deep to pull out its semifinal and final playoff victories over Bishop Ryan (1-0) and Newman.
"We put our hearts into this game," she said. "We gave it our all. "They put on the pressure and had a lot more shots in the second half."
Soccia, a speedy middle forward, was a significant threat for the Titans attack.
"Ava ties up defenders and she's got good ball control," Barbati said. "She's gritty and plays great soccer."
It was a disappointing loss for the defending-champion Cardinals, who allowed as many goals in the final as they did in 10 league and playoff starts.
"It didn't end the way I wanted it, but it was a good game," Newman coach Franco DiGiovanni said. "BT has an excellent team.
"Unfortunately, we had a momentary lapse. We got caught napping on the corner kick. Otherwise, I thought we were all over them. I don't think they even had a shot on net in the second half."
Tonnos and Newman battled to a 0-0 tie in their regular-season meeting.
"I would say they were the better team in that game," the Newman coach said. "They kept us on our toes. "But today I thought we were the better team. Their goalie was the difference maker."
Other members of the Titans this season included Kiki Barbati, Olivia Costigan, Luca Krpan, Vienna Lulich, Izzy Martens, Viviana Mele, Sarah Olivieri, Clara Pasalic, Mia Pocrnic, Addison Saunders, Chloe Seiler, Claudia Wunsche, Ava Young, Anita Smerelli and Avery Hedley.
Tonnos advances to a Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference AAA semifinal on May 26 against the visiting Holy Trinity Titans. The other GHAC semifinal matches Oakville's Garth Webb Chargers against Milton's Bishop Reding Royals.
This year's OFSAA tournament is June 5-7 in Oakville.
Photos by Richard Andoga
More photos on HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page
