Lakers playoff hopes over (new)

Marc Larochelle, sports information officer at Nipissing University, submitted the following article to baytoday
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TORONTO - The Lakers soccer teams were facing an up-hill battle heading to Toronto for a pair of pivotal matches that would determine their playoff fates.

The Lakers were in desperate need of some points and the men’s squad were in tough as they faced the nationally ranked U of T Blues.

The Lakers came out strong playing some of their best soccer of the year and Eric Yung capitalized by scoring a beautiful goal at the six-minute mark on a pass from Pat Mallan.

The Blues responded when Kwaku Yeboah scored at the 23:00 minute mark.

Ivan Lulic the Lakers forward created havoc for the U of T team throughout the game including a shot from 25 yards out that hit the inside post, traveled across the goal line only to hit the other post and deflect out of the net. The Lakers continued to press creating several scoring opportunities but the U of T goalie made several stops to keep the score even and the game finished in a 1-1 draw.

"I think today's game was an indication how much this team has improved,” said Laker head coach Rob Celebre. “Anytime you can get points off a U of T team that is ranked seventh in Canada you have done something great and I thought today we were great. They are the best team that we have seen this year, but today was the best we have seen our team all year."

Mallan was the Lakers player of the game.

On Sunday the Lakers were in a must win situation as they were faced the York Lions. The Lakers not only had to battle several injuries but mother nature also stepped in with high winds which created some difficult playing conditions.

The Lakers pressured York early but several missed opportunities proved costly as the Lions converted on three opportunities in the first half. The Lakers Alagie Gaye responded with his first goal of the season but it wasn’t enough as the Lions took the game 5-1.

"I thought we held most of the possession today, but were very unlucky,” said Laker assistant coach Peter Bitonti. “We were faced with an uphill battle coming into today's must win game with several injuries, but we played decent, I think some guys left everything they had on the field yesterday and were unable to get things going today."

On the women’s side, the Lady Lakers, facing a must win against U of T, played a good first half however a goal by the Blues Ruthann Gairdner at 45 minute mark proved to be the game winner.

Ruthann Gairdner scored her second goal of the contest at the 85 minute and the Blues closed out the contest 2-0.

With the loss the Lakers hopes of a second consecutive playoff appearance was vanquished.

“We played a good first half,” said Lady Lakers head coach Vito Castiglione. “We generated a lot of chances and played possession well but U of T defended well and limited the quality of our chances.”

It was apparent after the match that the Lady Lakers were emotionally disappointed with the loss.

Hillary Jacko was named player of the game.

On Sunday, the Lady Lakers got off to a shaky start. York taking advantage of the wind at their back played the long ball game and moved to ball up-field rather easily.

The Lakers, down 2-0 after the first half, started the second half on a stronger note. The Lakers pressed and attacked for the better part of 15 minutes but the Lakers couldn’t capitalize and York scored two more goals to make the final score 4-0.

“The ladies left everything on the field on Saturday and had nothing left to give on Sunday,” said Castiglione. “The fact that we did not advance to the playoffs may have affected the way we played today. The girls were disappointed on Saturday. It was tough for them to get up for York.”

Stephanie Muldoon was named player of the game.

The Lakers play their final game of the season Saturday as their northern rivals ,the Laurentian Voyageurs of Sudbury, come to town. The men kick things off at 1 p.m. followed by the women at 3 p.m. at the Education Centre Field.