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Cavalry FC will host its first Canadian Premier League final since the soccer circuit’s inaugural campaign in 2019.

That’s because the Calgary club finally found a way to win a playoff game in Hamilton.

That came Sunday in a 1-0 clean sheet against Forge FC, marking the first time in four tries that Cavalry had a Canadian Premier League playoff victory at Tim Hortons Field.

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“It’s funny, because I knew we were going to win,” said Cavalry general manager/head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. “I don’t know why, but I just saw the way we practiced and how we were left alone.

“So I’m not shocked. I’m just excited for the boys.

It was Tobias Warschewski who scored the only goal of this 1/2 playoff match in front of 6,521 supporters.

The CPL Golden Boot winner — with 12 goals scored during the regular season — showed off his goalscoring skills in the 28th minute, when he spotted goalkeeper Marco Carducci’s pass over the top of the defense from Forge and made his way around Forge keeper Jassem. Koleilat while repelling defender Garven Metusala’s grab.

“I think the first goal was obviously great,” Cavalry veteran Bradley Kamdem Fewo said. “It shows the quality of Toby – he’s been incredible all year. This obviously gives us a head start, but we haven’t changed our principles or anything. We stuck to the game plan.

Until the end, as Carducci and his defense remained scoreless to earn the shutout victory.

“From our side, I think defensively we were very good,” Kamdem Fewo said. “Not only the back four, but the whole team was engaged. The whole team gave everything on the pitch to make things difficult.

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“So… yeah… for us, we’re very happy to have a clean sheet, and that’s been one of our themes this year to be strong defensively.”

Captain Carducci stopped all five of Forge’s shots on target and had his post assist on one chance, and he was world-class with the assist on Warschewski’s winner.

“He’s huge – like he’s number one on the scoresheet and number one in our hearts, right? said Wheeldon, referring to Carducci’s jersey number with a smile.

“This time last year he was suffering because of an Olympic goal (in the championship defeat in Hamilton). And that’s character – he has to show character to stand up, be brave and go again.

“But thanks to him. He also worked with Jake Davis, our goalkeeping coach, on possession opportunities. We play well and we play short. But if teams are forward, they leave space behind. And Marco noticed it (Sunday), and he was like Tom Brady (on the assist), right?

Much to the chagrin of three-time playoff champion Forge, who had never lost to Cavalry in a home postseason game.

The Calgary club had even dominated – and sometimes led on the scoreboard – against Forge at Tim Hortons Field, including in last year’s CPL final, but it always came up empty.

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Not this time, which surprised the hosts.

“We gave up a pretty unusual goal there,” Forge boss Bobby Smyrniotis said. “But in the second half, we reacted well. And it’s not just a matter of luck. There are clear chances for goals from quality players in and around the box – and… yeah… it wasn’t there. And when it’s not there, that’s the result.

Cavalry will accept it, preferring to consider it a job well done in the first of two victories to capture the coveted North Star hardware – an honor as CPL playoff king that eluded the club despite five previous successful seasons.

“It took a lot of resilience and solidarity from the team,” continued Kamdem Fewo. “From the first minute we were together, scored the goal and I think we stayed true to our principles and we got the victory on the road.

“So, it’s amazing.”

Cavalry now prepares to host the championship game against the winner of next Saturday’s semifinal between Atlético Ottawa and host Forge in Hamilton.

This final will take place on Saturday, November 9 at ATCO Field in Spruce Meadows (1 p.m., OneSoccer, OneSoccer.ca).

“It’s interesting,” added Wheeldon, of the feeling his charges had after the match. “We went there (after the game), and there’s no pitches in the locker room, no big things for social media… It’s just like, ‘Great, that’s a great performance.’ Well done.’

“They’re proud of each other, but they’re focused on something we haven’t done yet, and we’re at the door. But we know that no matter who we face, whether it’s Forge or Ottawa, it’s going to be a tough game.

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