U of T fought hard for their 2-1 victory over the Ravens on Oct. 9 (Photo: Greg Mason)

Two close games at Keith Harris Stadium over the Thanksgiving weekend saw Carleton fall to the University of Toronto Varsity Blues 2-1 on Oct. 9, but rebound for a narrow win against the Trent University Excalibur 3-2 the next day. Their tight victory came with the winning goal being struck home by Caki Simrooglu in the 73rd minute.

The Ravens have a penchant for close games this season, winning three games and losing three by only one goal.

The most recent matches gives Carleton a record of 5-4-2 with 17 points, good enough to hold down the crucial fourth-place spot in the tight Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East playoff race.

On Oct. 9, the visiting Varsity Blues came in with a seven-game unbeaten streak, and pressed Carleton looking to make it eight.

Both teams failed to generate many scoring chances early. Corners by each team saw the ball sail above and wide of the net.

It was not until the 35th minute that U of T got a chance off the cross and was able to beat Raven keeper Sam Hincks with a header.

The Varsity Blues maintained that 1-0 lead going into the second half.

In the 54th minute, the Blues struck again with a powerful kick from outside the 18-yard box.

Facing a two-goal deficit, Carleton finally managed to muster some offense in the 68th minute. A corner kick pass found Sam McHugh, who shuffled the ball to rookie Jonni Okai, who then buried the ball to the back of the net with a header, notching his fifth goal of the season.

The rally proved to be short-lived, however, and U of T took the game by a final score of 2-1.

The game against Trent on Oct. 10 saw the two teams exchange goals and head into halftime tied 2–2.

Second-year striker Simrooglu, in his first game back from the injured reserve, proved to be the hero. In the 73rd minute, he scored his first of the season.

His goal was the decisive one in the 3–2 Carleton victory.

With three games remaining, including two against Queen’s University, every point is crucial in the race for playoff seeding.

Carleton’s next game is Oct. 16 at Queen’s.