Proving that it isn’t over until the final whistle blows, the Carleton Ravens men’s soccer team managed to eke out a last minute 2-1 win against the Laurentian Voyageurs on Sept. 28.
Coming off a 3-0 victory against the Nipissing Lakers the day before, the Ravens struggled during the first half against the Voyageurs. Despite having plenty of chances, the Ravens failed to capitalize on the opportunities they created, Ravens head coach Sandy Mackie said.
In the 16th minute the Voyageurs managed to get onto the scoreboard first, after a cross flew over the Carleton defence, and Voyageurs striker Dean Pizolinas buried the ball in the back of the net.
Down 1-0 after 45 minutes, the Ravens started the second half strong, challenging the Voyageurs for possession of the ball and going into tackles hard.
Both Ravens midfielder Theodore Lopez de Castilla and striker Daniel Saladini received yellow cards during the first 20 minutes of the second half for fouls on Voyageurs players.
Then, in the 71st minute, Ravens midfielder Walker Smith scored, putting the ball into the back of the net after a high cross into the six-yard box.
Towards the end, the game got a little frantic, with both teams striving to be the one to break the tie.
After scoring his first career hat-trick for the Ravens during the team’s 3-0 victory over the Lakers, Ravens midfielder Daud Dahir proved he wasn’t done adding to his tally of goals for the weekend.
In what was almost certainly the last minute of play, Dahir managed to slip behind the Voyageurs defence and struck the ball into the net.
“At that moment, I knew that it was all over. I knew we were going to keep the lead and maintain it and get the win,” he said.
Mackie summed up the game by saying his team wasn’t on point despite the win.
“I think we were fortunate to win . . . but it wasn’t a good performance. I mean, by the end of the day you want those three points but it wasn’t a good performance,” he said.
Praising first-year goalkeeper Felix Daigle and the defence for their performances during the game, Mackie said “we just have to keep working.”
In terms of what’s next for the team, Dahir said he has high ambitions.
“From here, we’re on our way to nationals, we have to continue,” he said. “We’re going to start off with [Ontario University Athletics], we’re going to get the gold and then head straight to nationals. That’s our goal.”
The team will be looking to improve its record when they face the Queen’s Gaels at home on Oct. 1.
Mackie said the Ravens have to play better than they have in previous games to beat the Gaels.
“We have a big game Wednesday [against Queen’s], and we’ve got to show up to play and have to perform better, individually and as a team,” he said.
