The Ravens women’s soccer team had a successful opening weekend, with a 3-1 win against the Trent University Excalibur Aug. 30 and a 1-1 tie with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Ridgebacks Aug. 31.
In their first game, the Excalibur’s Katie Steffler scored the team’s lone goal early on. The Ravens soon caught up and surpassed Trent with unassisted scores from Adroanna Ruggiero, Sarah Royer, and Nicole Filipow. Ravens goalkeeper Rada Mitchey stopped eight out of nine shots on net. In the Aug. 31 game at UOIT, both teams scored within the first 12 minutes. The highlight of the game was the header—scored just five minutes in by Royer with the assisting kick by team captain Veronica Mazzella.
Trent scored an equalizer later in the game, but neither team was able to put up the go-ahead. Mitchev made eight saves out of nine shots on target from the Ridgebacks.
Ravens head coach Raz El-Asmar said he feels confident about the Ravens’ position coming out of this opening weekend.
“I would say it was a fairly successful weekend,” he said. “Especially the starting weekend, there are always questions when you take on the new season, not knowing the opponents. So it’s a good sign for us.”He added it gave him a positive outlook for the rest of the season.
“It’s a new season. Everything starts from zero, and the first weekend gives you a little bit of a measurement of what to expect. But it’s always good to start with a win. And a tie the second day was tough . . . but good to come away with.”
This is El-Asmar’s first year as head coach for the Ravens, although he held the position of assistant coach since 2012.
“I wouldn’t say there have been any significant challenges,” he said about the change in position. “The department has been very supportive. And the team, the girls I’ve known for a bit now, and they have been great. I’ve seen some expected challenges in the training camp, but they’ve always had the will to succeed. Overall, it’s been very positive. It’s a great sign, going forward.”
The Ravens will host a match against the Ryerson University Rams on Sept. 6. El-Asmar said he has high hopes for the upcoming match.
“The girls are quite focused to continue. Spirit is quite good after this weekend. I’m looking forward to that match this weekend, definitely,” he said. “I’m looking forward to continued success on the girls’ part.”
