Cavalry FC's relentless pursuit of the CPL Shield continued on Saturday, as did striker Tobias Warschewski's case for CPL Player of the Year in a 3-1 victory over Atlético Ottawa.
The German striker's brace at ATCO Field delivered victory, as the hosts put on an offensive masterclass for a fourth victory in their past five matches.
The goals put Warschewski into a tie for the league lead with eight, having already led the CPL in assists with seven.
With the points, they extended the gap between themselves and third-place Atlético Ottawa to ten points -- with a game in hand on the capital club as well.
The match started at a dizzying pace as the two sides dashed back and forth down the pitch.
The hosts had a pair of excellent chances around the tenth minute, the first a scramble in the box that saw Nathaniel Edwards denied twice from close range. A minute later Ali Musse found himself behind Chris Kalongo with a wide-open net, but somehow powered the ball wide.
Cavalry would not be denied the opening goal, however. In the 13th minute, Adam Pearlman picked out Edwards at the back post with a lovely cross that the winger tapped home for his third goal in the past five games.
Smelling blood, Cavalry kept pressing, and in the 18th minute, a high-IQ pass from goalkeeper Nathan Ingham over the top picked out Tobias Warschewski behind the Atleti line. The German attacker latched onto the ball and deftly lifted it over Kalongo to make it 2-0.
Needing some kind of response, the visitors got it from the usual suspect of late. Picking up the ball at the top of the box in the 22nd minute, Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau turned and hit a thunderous strike with his left foot into the top of the net. The goal cut Cavalry's lead to 2-1, and kept Atleti in the game.
Cavalry continued to carry the play for the rest of the half, however. They came close again in the 35th minute when Edwards struck the crossbar, and had several other forays forward as Atleti struggled to deal with their relentless attack.
At the half, the hosts had fired 16 shots, which is the most in a first half in CPL history, seven of which were on target. But they led by just one goal.
Just eight minutes into the second half, however, the relentless Cavs had a third. Again, it was Warschewski who finished it off as Musse picked him out at the back post with a dangerous cross. The German striker hit another outstanding chip from out wide to fool Kalongo and make it 3-1.
Atleti looked to be given a lifeline in the 75th minute when Ballou Tabla was brought down in the box and awarded a penalty. However, after an FVS challenge, it was judged that Ingham got his hand to the ball first and the call was overturned.
Warschewski came close to adding a third in the final stages with a stinging strike that forced a good save from Kalongo, who was busy as the hosts fired 10 shots on goal. But in the end, it would be three goals and three points for Cavalry.
Cavalry FC have now gone 17 straight unbeaten at home, and have won all three meetings with Atlético Ottawa this season so far -- scoring three times in each meeting.
Their final regular season meeting of 2026 comes in the nation's capital on September 30. A playoff meeting is certainly not out of the question either.
Box Score
Starting XIs
Cavalry FC: Ingham; Pearlman, Klomp, Didić, Kamdem; Paton (Kobza 64'), Camargo (Myroniuk 69'); Musse (Ofori 90'), Warschewski, Edwards (Antoniuk 64'); Elva (Henry 69')
Atlético Ottawa: Kalongo; Mbombio, Cloutier, Aguilar (Castro 46'); Assi (Coulanges 60'), Arnaud, Aparicio (Abraham 90'), Antinoro (García 61'); Habibullah (Khoury 69'), Fleuriau Chateau, Tabla
Goals
13' - Nathaniel Edwards (Cavalry FC)
18' - Tobias Warschewski (Cavalry FC)
22' - Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau (Atlético Ottawa)
53' - Tobias Warschewski (Cavalry FC)
Discipline
22' - Yellow: Jean-Aniel Assi (Atlético Ottawa)
49' - Yellow: Harry Paton (Cavalry FC)
59' - Yellow: Roni Mbombio (Atlético Ottawa)
61' - Yellow: Amer Didić (Cavalry FC)
85' - Yellow: Ralph Khoury (Atlético Ottawa)
CPLSoccer.com Player of the Match
Tobias Warschewski, Cavalry FC
A brilliant brace only told part of the story of just how dominant Warschewski was during the match, consistently being the catalyst for the Cavalry FC attack. He had five shots on target, created two chances and won seven of 11 duels.
What's Next?
Both sides will be at home next weekend, with Atlético Ottawa continuing a busy stretch of their season with a clash with Inter Toronto at TD Place on Friday, August 28 (7 p.m. ET). Cavalry, meanwhile, are at home the following day, Saturday, August 29, against Vancouver FC (5 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. MT).