M-SOCCER ROUNDUP: Regular season wraps up as teams play for seeding
October 19 – York @ Waterloo
The Waterloo men's soccer team put forth a disappointing effort in a 7-0 loss to the York Lions on Friday afternoon at Warrior Field. With the win the Lions captured its sixth straight OUA West Division title.
Shaun MacDonald (Mississauga, Ont.) netted a pair of goals, including the game winner, to lead all Lions. Also scoring were Adrian Pena (Woodbridge, Ont.), Carlos Nogueira (Brampton, Ont.), Giancarlo Rella (Woodbridge, Ont.), Nicolas Mejia (Burlington, Ont.) and Martino Belligero (Toronto).
Pena led all players with four shots on net, and his goal on a penalty kick in the 40th minute was his 16th of the season.
The Lions dominated play from the outset but could not get the ball past Waterloo goalkeeper Hansel Paico-Avilez (Oakville, Ont.) for the first 30 minutes of the game but once they found the net the flood gates opened and the Lions did not look back en route to their 13th win of the season.
York goalkeeper Sotiri Varlokostasr (Toronto) earned the win in net with his ninth shutout of the season, while Paico-Avilez took the loss.
Source: Waterloo Sports Info
October 20 – Nipissing @ Toronto
Third-year striker Mario Kovacevic scored four goals in leading the Varsity Blues men’s soccer team to a dominant 6-0 victory over the Nippising Lakers on Saturday, October 20 at Varsity Centre.
With the win, the Blues improve to a 7-5-1 record and remain in fourth place, while the Nipissing Lakers fall below .500 with a 4-5-4 record in the OUA East.
The Blues opened up the scoring in the first half as Kovacevic rifled a shot past the goalkeeper only eight minutes into the game. Toronto would continue their dominating first half as Christopher Mannella was able to beat the defender in the 29th minute for his second goal of the season. U of T held a 2-0 advantage at the half.
Kovacevic and third-year midfielder Ezequiel Lubocki (Winnipeg) scored in the 55th and 58th minutes, respectively, to give the Blues a dominant 4-0 lead. Kovacevic would add two more goals in the 74th and 85th minute to round out the scoring.
The Blues only allowed two shots on goal, both of which were saved by Blues goalkeeper and Victoria native Rab Bruce-Lockhart en route to preserving U of T’s fifth shutout of the year.
Source: Toronto Sports Info
Western @ Brock
The Brock University men's soccer team (1-9-5 OUA) were defeated by the Western Mustangs (7-4-4 OUA) Saturday afternoon at home by a score of 1-0.
The Badgers were looking to continue a strong second half to their season after playing to four draws in their last five games with their single loss coming to the first ranked York Lions.
In the first half both teams were battling physically on the field. The Badgers had four corner kick opportunities, on top of a number of high crosses that were sent into the box, but the Western keeper continued to find the ball in the crowd.
Each team had a pair of shots on goal but neither could get anything past the goalies. The defensive battle was intense leading to a number of controversial calls that kept both teams on their toes.
In the second half, the Mustangs began to push in order to obtain the 3 points that they desperately wanted to ensure a higher seed heading into the playoffs.
Pat Mroczek was able to cash in on a rebound to give Western the goal they were looking for. Brock goaltender, Jake Sweetzer (Mississauga, Ont.) kept the Badgers in the game making three huge saves on shots that were rocketed directly on goal.
It was a solid game for the Brock keeper but his comrades could not bring forth the last minute goal they were able to get in their previous game against Guelph.
Source: Brock Sports Info
Laurentian @ Ryerson
With a playoff berth already secured, the Rams played their bench en route to a 0-0 draw with the Laurentian Voyageurs on a wet Saturday at Birchmount Stadium.
The Rams (6-1-6) showcased their depth, relying on substitutes in the second half. Saturday provided a chance to rest some of the team's starters as well as reward the hard workers in practice.
"A lot of guys came in that didn't get a lot of playing time and worked really hard," associate coach Filip Prostran said. "Today was that kind of day. They did a nice job and they fought hard."
Substitute Peter Haastrup was a force for the Rams in the second half and certainly the games most entertaining player. The Ilesha, Nigeria native attempted a bicycle kick in the box, rushed the Laurentian keeper and set up Luke Jan for a goal later called offside.
"He had a great bicycle kick," goalkeeper Christian Maraldo said. "That came out of nowhere."
Maraldo picked up his sixth clean sheet of the season stopping both of Laurentian's shots.
"There really wasn't anything challenging this game, we played defensively sound," Maraldo said. "For most of our bench players playing today, I was really impressed for how they were able to keep possession so well."
While the Rams were pressing for three points, they aren't disappointed with only taking one. They haven't lost since opening night and will wind up playing either Laurentian or Nipissing in opening round of the playoffs.
"As long as our play is moving in the right direction, I am okay with the result," Prostran said. "I'd rather be 5-0-5 and make the national championship, than be 10-0 in the regular season and be bounced in the first round."
The Rams wrap up their regular season tomorrow afternoon against the Nipissing Lakers at Birchmount Stadium. A win guarantees a third-place finish, while a draw leaves their final standing in the hands of Laurentian and U of T, who play each other tomorrow afternoon. U of T currently sit two points back of the Rams for third place in the OUA East.
Source: Ryerson Sports Info
Guelph @ Laurier
With the lineup for the playoffs secured, the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks men's soccer team was playing for playoff positioning on Saturday afternoon as they hosted the Guelph Gryphons in their second last game of the regular season.
The Hawks battled through the first half, denying three corner opportunities had by the Gryphons to go scoreless into the half.
The Hawks would drop behind early in the second though on a goal by Brampton, Ont., native Jared Agyeman in the 52nd minute. The single marker would be enough as the Hawks were unable to even the score. The game would end on a penalty kick goal by Brenden Springer of Burlington, Ont., in the 90th minute.
Source: Laurier Sports Info
October 21 – Laurentian @ Toronto
The Varsity Blues men’s soccer team played to a scoreless draw with the Laurentian Voyageurs on Sunday, October 21 at Varsity Centre.
The Blues finish the regular season in fourth place in the OUA East with a 7-5-2 record. They will host the fifth-seeded Nipissing Lakers (4-5-4) in the first round of the OUA playoffs this Wednesday, October 24 at 8:30 p.m.
The Blues dominanted the first half but were unable to solver Voyageurs goalkeeper Jonathan Cohen. Laurentian challenged Rab Bruce-Lockhart in the second half but the rookie goalkeeper stood his ground.
Following the match, Toronto honoured graduating players Anthony Spanopulos, Mehdi Salemi, Ryan Sciacchitano, Dylan Bams, and Darragh McGee.
Source: Toronto Sports Info
RMC @ Carleton
Resting five regulars in preparation for the upcoming playoffs, the Carleton Ravens men’s soccer team was unable to match its offensive explosion from a week ago when they hit double figures against the Trent University Excalibur.
Closing out the regular season against the lowly Royal Military College Paladins, Carleton could only manage a 1-0 victory on a cold afternoon at Ravens Field.
But it certainly wasn’t due to a lack of chances.
Carleton could have – and probably should have – been well up come half-time, but Tobin Semple in the Paladins’ goal made sure the teams went into the interval all square after a handful of quality saves in what was a tepid opening 45 minutes.
“We should have been up 5-0 at half-time,” Ravens head coach Sandy Mackie said following the match. “Mekonen [Lovemore-White] had three clear cut chances, and if you don’t take them, in a big game those will kill you.”
Semple’s most impressive save of the half came after Lovemore-White found himself one-on-one with the first-year goalkeeper, but his hard, low shot was beaten away and eventually cleared to safety.
Meanwhile at the other end of the pitch, Ravens netminder Mark Krocko was little more than a spectator, as the visitors struggled to muster any sort of attacking threat.
The Ravens finally did manage to break the deadlock in the 54th minute, and after all of his great work during the match, Semple will be very disappointed with the eventual game-winning goal.
Midfielder Alexksandar Despotovic found the net directly from a corner kick, after his in-swinging delivery was too much to handle for the Paladins keeper, who could only manage to get a hand to it and deflect it across the line.
That goal was all the offence the men needed to collect the three points.
Despite admitting that it was a “poor performance” by his team on the day, Mackie did hold out praise for two players.
“I thought [Theodore Lopez de Castilla] played well,” the veteran coach said. “He kept the ball well, moved it around, made three chances for the strikers in the first half with nice quality crosses, and I thought [Michael] Calof played well at the back also.”
Having seen the Ryerson Rams draw 0-0 with Laurentian University yesterday, the Ravens came into the match knowing that they were already guaranteed second place in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East division, which brings with it the luxury of a bye to the quarter-finals and home field advantage.
Regardless, Mackie knows that the team will have to perform much better come playoff time, when the Ravens will in all likelihood take on the Rams. Carleton was the only team to beat the Rams during the regular season, coming up with a 2-0 victory when the two sides met back on Sept. 2nd in the nation’s capital.
“Come the playoffs you have to have a good performance, and we’re capable of beating anyone in the league, but we’re also capable on a bad day of anybody beating us,” Mackie said.
Whoever the opponent is, the Ravens will have exactly one week to prepare for the contest, as they begin their post-season journey on Oct. 28th.
Source: Carleton Sports Info
Nipissing @ Ryerson
Playing a final tune up game before the post-season, the Ryerson Rams beat the Nipissing Lakers 1-0 Sunday afternoon at Birchmount Stadium.
Alex Braletic scored his first goal since returning from an injury on Oct. 14 propelling the Rams to victory. Braletic, Milos Scepanovic and Adrian Mancini continued to press for the Rams, who all appeared to be having fun in the last regular season game.
“Everyone worked hard all season,” Braletic said. “The whole team played very well, we kept possession and everyone out there had a smile on their face.”
Assured of a playoff berth, the Rams and Lakers rested some of their starters and gave their bench some extra playing time. Still finding his rhythm after being sidelined for four games with an injury, Braletic opted to play the full game. “I wouldn’t have played the whole game, but I asked to, to get some of the kinks out,” he said. “I’m feeling a little slow, but I have a week to prepare so it’s okay.”
The win extended Ryerson’s record-setting unbeaten streak to 13 games (7-0-6) and 27 points is also a new high for the men’s squad. The defence-first team allowed the second fewest goals in the OUA East (9) only one back of division leader Queen’s.
The Rams senior players, Markus Molder and Vince D’Elia were honoured before the game, receiving plaques commemorating their five years at Ryerson. Mancini, who was honoured at the end of last season, is also leaving the team after this year.
“It was a nice senior day,” associate coach Filip Prostran said. “It was nice to see the seniors in their final regular season game. I thought the guys did well.”
Molder, D’Elia and Mancini’s OUA careers aren’t over yet. They start their hunt for the OUA title on Wednesday, when they take on the Laurentian Voyageurs at Esther Shiner Stadium.
“The real season starts in a few short days,” Prostran said. “Everything that’s happened up until this point doesn’t mean anything. Six teams make the playoffs so we’ll see what we’re made of.”
Ryerson went 1-0-1 against Laurentian this season, taking the first match 2-1 and drawing the second 0-0. Kick-off is 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Source: Ryerson Sports Info
York @ Laurier
The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks men's soccer closed out their regular season today at home taking on the York Lions.
With a number of starters sitting out the game due to injury, the Hawks starting 11 featured a number of young players who were in tough against the No. 1 ranked team in the CIS.
After holding their own with the Lions in the first half hour, York drew first blood at the 32 minute mark as Adrian Pena of Woodbridge, Ont., scored on a play originating on a free kick.
Heading into the second half down by a goal, the Hawks turned up their offensive pressure, firing three shots on Lions keeper Colm Vance of Bradford, Ont., but were unable to find the back of the net.
York's Tyrone Downes of North York, Ont., added another goal late in the game to give the Lions the 2-0 win.
Despite the loss, Laurier qualifies for the OUA playoffs in the sixth seed in the OUA West Division with a 5-6-6 record.
They will play their OUA First Round playoff game on Wednesday when they travel to London to take on the third-seeded Western Mustangs. The Hawks had one draw and one loss in the regular season against Western.
Source: Laurier Sports Info
Guelph @ Waterloo
The Gryphon men’s soccer team blanked the Warriors 2-0 Sunday in the final game of the 2012 regular season.
The Gryphons have qualified for the playoffs with a 7-6-3 record. They will now advance to a playoff game against Windsor this Wednesdasy.
The Gryphons nabbed their first goal of the game at minute-36 from Marc Bijman (Brantford, Ont.) and Drew Gowan (Welland, Ont.) scored their insurance goal early in the second half at minute-58.
The game was slow to develop with neither team creating any clear cut chances in the first 30 minutes and both teams struggling to maintain possession. The Gryphons looked more dangerous going forward, but the deadlock wasn't broken until the 36th minute when Paul Manchisi sent a free kick into the box; the Waterloo goaltender attempted to save it, but defender Marc Bijman rose above everyone to head it into the open goal for his first career goal as a Gryphon. That goal, combined with some key substitutions, galvanized the Gryphon team who played much better over the final 10 minutes of the half.
In the second half the Gryphons came out and performed convincingly. The second goal was scored by Drew Gowan at the back post after a great cross from the right by rookie Mohammed Heydarpour. Head coach Keith Mason brought out several rookies as the game progressed, and given the chance to play together, showed all their quality and ability.
The remainder of the half was dominated by Guelph, who rained 11 shots on the Warriors goal in the half and created several clear chances.
The Gryphons now enter the playoffs and can feel comfortable having gone 2-0-1 in their final three games, scoring five goals and only conceding one.
The Gryphons will now travel to Windsor on Wednesday for a playoff game. Windsor and Guelph had the same records (7-6-3) during the season; head-to-head, Windsor won 1-0 in Windsor over Guelph and the teams tied 1-1 in Guelph, so the Lancers earn the home playoff game.
Source: Guelph Sports Info
McMaster @ Western
Western Mustangs played the McMaster Marauders and tied 1-1 Sunday.
At seven minutes Vince Caminiti took a corner kick for Western. The ball sailed into the center and teammate Dominic Bell knocked it out of the air to Brendan Catliff who went in for the kill, but knocked the ball off of the bar. Catliff, Rudy James, and Bell showed impressive team chemistry today; however, the stars didn’t completely align for them to score a goal.
Rudy James was a stand-out player today, light on his feet, and creative with the ball.
At 18 minutes James, assisted by Bell, scored the first goal of the game.
Rookie Catliff kept finding himself at the right place at the right time, but was not able to find the back of the net. At 22 minutes Catliff made a great cross to the right side to Dominic Bell. Bell beat his defensive mark, but instead of taking the shot he passed back to Catliff. Between the two of them they were unable to capitalize on a great scoring opportunity.
At 36 minutes McMaster was awarded a penalty kick. Marauders player Nathaniel Morris scored McMaster’s first goal of the game.
At the end of the first half Dominic Bell received a yellow card and the game was tied 1-1.
“It was a relatively uneventful second half except for when Adam Majer got called into action off a cross and responded with a fantastic save off a header," said Assistant Coach Tyler Hemmings. Western keeper Adam Majer played very well -- in place for regular goalie Ivan Skoko. Hemmings also threw the ball an impressive distance.
At 65 minutes McMaster player Eric Ngo received a yellow card.
At 77 minutes Western's Alessandro Colacci swiftly turned to take a shot on the McMaster net and in a near miss the ball sailed just high. Jon Sargeant and Colacci worked hard and did well on the midfield for Western.
After five minutes of overtime play, the teams finished at a draw to mark their final regular season game. The Mustangs sit in third standing in the OUA West and start their playoff run next week.
Source: Western Sports Info
Brock @ Windsor
The Brock University men's soccer team (1-10-5 OUA) ended the 2012 season with a 4-2 loss against the Windsor Lancers (7-6-3 OUA) Sunday afternoon on the road.
The Badgers were coming off a series of positive results with only two losses in their past seven games.
Windsor, who outshot the Badgers 9-5 in the first half, added three goals in the opening 45 minutes with tallies from Michael Pio (Windsor, Ont.), Mike Watson (Belle River, Ont.) and Christian Mayorga (Windsor, Ont.).
In the 53rd minute, Windsor added an insurance marker as Brett Holmberg pulled the trigger to make it 4-0 for the Lancers.
The Badgers refused to put their heads down as they kept pressuring for a goal and in the 81st minute freshman midfielder Osay Agbonwaneten (Brampton, Ont.) scored his first of the season.
Six minutes later, sophomore Dan Girdler (Toronto, Ont.) would make it 4-2, adding his first goal of the season, but that was as close as Brock would come as their season came to an end.
Brock junior goalkeeper Jake Sweetzer (Mississauga, Ont.) recorded 10 saves in the loss. Windsor goalkeeper Sam Atkin collected 12 saves for the victory.
Source: Brock Sports Info
