November 3, 2012
Marauders, Carleton advance to OUA men's soccer final
The McMaster Marauders and Carleton Ravens won their respective semifinals at the OUA Men’s Soccer Final Four Championships on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 3) at McNaughton Park to advance to the gold medal final.
McMaster knocked off the Queen’s Gaels by a score of 5-2 in extra time in the first semifinal, and then Carleton defeated the host York Lions 1-0, also in extra time, in the second.
The day’s second semifinal was a tight, defensive affair that featured only three shots on goal between the two teams.
After a scoreless regulation time and another 25 minutes of extra time without a goal, the Ravens finally got on the board in the 115th minute on a goal by Joey Kewin (London, Ont.). Lions goalkeeper Sotiri Varlokostas (Toronto) reacted as if a cross was coming in front of the net, but Carleton actually rolled the ball through the crease and Kewin tapped home the easy goal into a wide open next on the right side.
The Lions tried to use the final five minutes of the game to find the equalizer, but could not get a strong shot off.
The Ravens opened the game with several rushes into the offensive zone, but most went out of bounds behind the net, turning possession over to the Lions. They did get six corners in the opening 45 minutes, but none were dangerous.
Momentum shifted in the second half as the Lions took control of the ball, but they were not able to get the ball past Carleton goalkeeper Mark Krocko (Ashton, Ont.). Their best chance came on a shot by Adrian Pena (Woodbridge, Ont.) that Krocko pushed just over the top of the net, and the Lions had another strong opportunity on a cross by Shaun MacDonald (Mississauga, Ont.) that Pena hit just wide.
The contest was vastly different than the opening semifinal earlier in the day, which was a thrilling affair that featured plenty of offence and multiple lead changes.
The Gaels got on the board first in the 20th minute on a gorgeous goal by Nathan Klemencic (Trenton, Ont.), who fired a shot from well outside the box that sailed over the head of McMaster goalkeeper Angelo Cavalluzzo (Hamilton, Ont.). Klemencic celebrated the goal with an impressive back flip at centre field.
The Marauders responded in the 42nd minute on a goal by Paterson Farrell (Oakville, Ont.). Ryan Garnett (Kitchener, Ont.) took the initial shot that Queen’s goalkeeper Dylan Maxwell (Vancouver) stopped at the top of the box, but the big rebound went straight to Farrell and he fired it into the back of the net.
The score remained 1-1 at the half.
Queen’s took its second lead of the game in the 67th minute on a penalty kick goal by Joe Zupo (Toronto), but again McMaster responded, this time in the 78th minute on a goal by Gersi Xhuti (Etobicoke, Ont.) that was assisted by Nicholas Vecchi (Niagara Falls, Ont.). Xhuti also celebrated his marker with an impressive front flip.
Neither team was able to find the winning goal before time expired, sending the contest into extra time.
The Marauders dominated the final 30 minutes of the game. They took the lead in the 95th minute on a goal by Dan Niksic, and then took advantage of the Gaels trying to pressure offensively by scoring two more against little defence. Muntazir Fadhel (Richmond Hill, Ont.) netted an unassisted goal in the 110th minute, and Mark Reilly (Hamilton, Ont.) followed suit three minutes later with an assist to Xhuti.
With their wins, both the Marauders and Ravens also clinched a berth at the CIS championships next week in Quebec City, and will face off in the gold medal game at 2pm at McNaughton Park on Sunday afternoon. The Gaels and Lions will battle for bronze at 11am.
Source: York Sports Info
McMaster knocked off the Queen’s Gaels by a score of 5-2 in extra time in the first semifinal, and then Carleton defeated the host York Lions 1-0, also in extra time, in the second.
The day’s second semifinal was a tight, defensive affair that featured only three shots on goal between the two teams.
After a scoreless regulation time and another 25 minutes of extra time without a goal, the Ravens finally got on the board in the 115th minute on a goal by Joey Kewin (London, Ont.). Lions goalkeeper Sotiri Varlokostas (Toronto) reacted as if a cross was coming in front of the net, but Carleton actually rolled the ball through the crease and Kewin tapped home the easy goal into a wide open next on the right side.
The Lions tried to use the final five minutes of the game to find the equalizer, but could not get a strong shot off.
The Ravens opened the game with several rushes into the offensive zone, but most went out of bounds behind the net, turning possession over to the Lions. They did get six corners in the opening 45 minutes, but none were dangerous.
Momentum shifted in the second half as the Lions took control of the ball, but they were not able to get the ball past Carleton goalkeeper Mark Krocko (Ashton, Ont.). Their best chance came on a shot by Adrian Pena (Woodbridge, Ont.) that Krocko pushed just over the top of the net, and the Lions had another strong opportunity on a cross by Shaun MacDonald (Mississauga, Ont.) that Pena hit just wide.
The contest was vastly different than the opening semifinal earlier in the day, which was a thrilling affair that featured plenty of offence and multiple lead changes.
The Gaels got on the board first in the 20th minute on a gorgeous goal by Nathan Klemencic (Trenton, Ont.), who fired a shot from well outside the box that sailed over the head of McMaster goalkeeper Angelo Cavalluzzo (Hamilton, Ont.). Klemencic celebrated the goal with an impressive back flip at centre field.
The Marauders responded in the 42nd minute on a goal by Paterson Farrell (Oakville, Ont.). Ryan Garnett (Kitchener, Ont.) took the initial shot that Queen’s goalkeeper Dylan Maxwell (Vancouver) stopped at the top of the box, but the big rebound went straight to Farrell and he fired it into the back of the net.
The score remained 1-1 at the half.
Queen’s took its second lead of the game in the 67th minute on a penalty kick goal by Joe Zupo (Toronto), but again McMaster responded, this time in the 78th minute on a goal by Gersi Xhuti (Etobicoke, Ont.) that was assisted by Nicholas Vecchi (Niagara Falls, Ont.). Xhuti also celebrated his marker with an impressive front flip.
Neither team was able to find the winning goal before time expired, sending the contest into extra time.
The Marauders dominated the final 30 minutes of the game. They took the lead in the 95th minute on a goal by Dan Niksic, and then took advantage of the Gaels trying to pressure offensively by scoring two more against little defence. Muntazir Fadhel (Richmond Hill, Ont.) netted an unassisted goal in the 110th minute, and Mark Reilly (Hamilton, Ont.) followed suit three minutes later with an assist to Xhuti.
With their wins, both the Marauders and Ravens also clinched a berth at the CIS championships next week in Quebec City, and will face off in the gold medal game at 2pm at McNaughton Park on Sunday afternoon. The Gaels and Lions will battle for bronze at 11am.
Source: York Sports Info
