The Carleton Ravens men’s soccer team lost their chance at a national title, after falling 1-0 in the semi-finals against the Université du Quebec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) after extra-time.
With the loss, only their second of the season, Carleton crashed out of the 2019 U Sports men’s soccer championships.
At the kickoff, head coach Kwesi Loney’s side started off strong and were buoyed by the travelling support of a crowd of Carleton alums, who banged drums and waved flares. The Ravens were working on playing their game through the middle, rather than operating out on the wings like they did in the quarter-finals.
Down at the other end of the pitch, the Ravens had some opportunities of their own, as their attack-minded offensive line shifted forward.
The best chance fell to talisman Gaby Bitar. Striker Stefan Karajovanovic picked up the ball up around the 18-yard box and lobbed it to teammate Dante Cobisa, who played in a cross for Bitar. The No. 10’s header, however, went straight to UQTR goalkeeper, Felix-Clapin-Girard.
Both teams stood deadlocked at 0-0. This would be the second game at the tournament where the Ravens couldn’t score in the opening 45 minutes.
Coming back into the match, Loney emphasised during half-time that the team needed to focus on being more confident in their shooting and take all their chances when available.
But UQTR stood strong, clearing away every Carleton cross with their significant height advantage. It wasn’t all comfortable for UQTR, as the Carleton bench stood and appealed for a penalty when Karajovanovic was taken down in the box more than once. But nothing came from them.
Overtime, UQTR became the quicker team on the pitch as the Ravens slowed due to fatigue. It wasn’t until the 72nd-minute that Loney made his first substitution.
As regulation time came to a close, disaster struck for the Ravens. Substitute Danny Assaf, who was booked in the 88th-minute after going in for a slide tackle, earned himself a red card only three minutes later.
After the match, Loney explained he did not agree with the decision to show a second yellow.
“I think he deserved the first one, but I think after that he settled down. I don’t think he deserves a second yellow,” he said. “I think the referee can have a word with him … but you know that’s part of it.”
After the red card, Carleton was clinging on.
“This happened pretty late in the game, so it was just a matter of running off adrenaline,” added Loney. “It was a slight adjustment for us, playing with one striker instead of two, just trying to hold, and counter, then waiting for the next opportunity to break them down.”
However, the team couldn’t adapt enough and only one minute into extra time, UQTR’s Gabriel Wiethaeuper-Balbinotti managed to roof the ball into Jeffs’ net.
The Ravens looked dejected and defeated, but found some energy to keep searching for the tying goal in hopes of pushing it to penalties. Bitar and midfielder Dario Conte each had their own individual opportunities and the team went on to waste countless corners and free-kicks.
At the final whistle from the referee, tears flooded the eyes of the Carleton players, as for the second year running they fell short at the semi-final stage.
“It’s hard, it’s a bad feeling … we were so close, I think.”
“We just have to take tonight, sleep on it … just get our heads right, we know we have another game Sunday so just come back strong for that and rebuild for next season.”
“When you come to nationals, everyone is a good side,” said Loney. “It was just one of those matches where it just went the other way.”
With the loss, the Ravens now play their final match of the tournament against the other semi-final losers, the Cape Breton University Capers, and the history between the two sides will surely create a thrilling match.
At last year’s nationals in Vancouver, B.C., it was the Capers who knocked Carleton out and now the team is looking for revenge.
Senior Ravens Cristopher Malekos and Emad Houache explained that since they know who their rivals are, the team is going to put in a good fight to bring some hardware back to Ottawa.
“[We’re] feeling ready, we have some unfinished business to do because of last year,” said Malekos. “Yes, it is tough not playing in a gold medal game but everyone knows the importance of this game regardless.”
Houache believes there’s still something positive to take away despite not playing for gold.
“It’s a silver lining as well because we get to get revenge from last year, they’re the ones who kicked us out of the tournament,” said Houache.
“If it was any other team, I’d rather play them, Cape Breton.
The two teams face off for the bronze medal on Nov. 10 at 11 a.m.
Feature image by Spencer Colby.
