Lakers keep playoff hopes alive

OTTAWA, ON – The Nipissing University men’s soccer team kept their faint playoff hopes alive with a tie against Carleton University while the Lady Lakers were officially eliminated from post season play with a pair of losses to Ottawa and Carleton University.

The trip to Ottawa proved to be a challenge even before departing North Bay as the men’s team bus got into an accident on the way out of town. Luckily no one was hurt however the team needed to find alternate arrangements to Ottawa.

Sunday, the Lakers (2-8-2) in desperate need of some points faced the second place team in their division and 10th ranked team in the country the Carleton Ravens (7-1-3). The Lakers got off to a good start as Matt Prikken sent in a perfect strike from thirty yard out to the top right corner to open the scoring at the five minute mark.

The Ravens played a very direct and aggressive style and scored their first of the contest at the 35 minute mark. The half ended with the teams tied at 1-1. In the second half the Lakers regained the lead as Prikken scored his second of the contest finishing from inside the 18 yard box. Play resumed until the 70th minute when Carleton tied the contest after Kofi Llboudo scored his second of the game on a penalty kick. The remaining 15 minute proved to be a test for the Lakers as Cam Culbert received his second caution of the game which the left the Lakers short handed for the remainder of the match. The Ravens pushed hard to break the tie however the Lakers stood their ground earning a well deserved tie.

“The team played extremely well today,” said assistant coach Tony D’Agostino. “We faced some adversity this weekend however we responded well. Our defenders played a very solid match as they faced a constant Ravens attack. The boys played with heart and earned a well deserved tie.”

On the women’s side the Lady Lakers (3-9-2) were facing a daunting task of getting some needed points against top teams in their division. Saturday the Lakers faced a strong Ottawa Gee Gees (8-1-5) club and were defeated 4-2.

The Lady Lakers got off to a strong start as Courtney Cherrett kicked in a ball off a set piece that was mishandled by the Ottawa keeper and Nicole O’Brien was there to pounce on the loose ball to convert for her eight goal of the season. Ottawa responded by applying pressure and added three consecutive goals to close the half with the 3-1 lead. In the second half, the Lady Lakers closed the gap as Nicole O’Brien converted a pass from Alexandra Instance at the 49 minute mark. The Lady Lakers then had a glorious opportunity as the Gee Gees were down a player as Rachael Swetnam received her second caution of the game. The Lakers unfortunately couldn’t capitalize on their chances and Maude Fillion-Collin put the game out-of-reach scoring Ottawa’s fourth goal in the 70th minute.

Sunday, the Lady Lakers facing a must win situation played an aggressive style hoping to get some early offense however the Ravens Melissa Knox opened by blasting a shot past keeper Kristine Snedden who had no chance. The Ravens capitalized five minutes later when Snedden misplayed a ball and was forced to take down the Carleton players resulting in a penalty kick which was converted by Amber Prose.

The Lady Lakers came out strong in the second half and created some scoring chances but couldn’t find the back of the net.

“Carleton played a strong game today,” said head coach Vito Castiglione. “They are a very aggressive club. We played a very good second half unfortunately we just couldn’t capitalize.”

The Lakers teams have two home games remaining to close out the season. Laurentian visits for a pair of games October 18. The men kick things off at 5 p.m. followed by the women at 7 p.m. Trent visits North Bay on October 22. Game times are 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.