Lakers tie RMC - Lose to Queen's

The Nipissing Lakers soccer teams traveled to Kingston in a re-match of last weekend's games however the results were different on the road as both teams earned a tie against RMC and took a loss to Queen's University.

Saturday, the Lady Lakers played a strong first half getting some quality scoring chances unfortunately the team couldn’t find the back of the mesh as the scored remained 0-0 at the half.

RMC’s Samantha Beckett opened the scoring when she stuck a well placed ball that beat Lakers keeper Sam Behm in the top corner.

The Lakers trailed the contest until midway through the second half when Alexandra Instance scored on a set piece allowing the Lakers to tie the match. The final ten minutes of contest was exciting as both teams had some good scoring opportunities and Behm made a great diving save in injury time to preserve the tie.

Sunday the Lady Lakers played a strong first half unfortunately they made one mistake at the 43 minute mark and Queen’s Renee MacLellan made no mistake giving her team the 1-0 lead at half. The second half was a different story as the Lakers came out sluggish and Queen’s pounced on their opportunities building a 4-0 lead before the Lakers responded with their lone goal of the game as Alexandra Instance headed in her second goal of the weekend off a free kick.

“It was really a game of two halves,” said head coach Vito Castiglione. “We played with them and had our chances in the first half but we didn’t play our best in the second half. We came out flat and it cost us the game.”

On the men’s side the Lakers began the match in much the same fashion as a week prior by maintaining most of the ball possession in the first half. Lakers Mohammed Nyangado made a nice run beating two defenders and then crossed a ball that was converted by Jeff Portugues who scored his first goal as a Laker.

The Lakers created some quality chances throughout the match however couldn’t finish their chances and RMC equalized the game when Trevor Guile scored on a counter attack to tie the game at 1-1. The match concluded with both teams gaining a point.

“We stressed the importance of finishing our quality chances unfortunately we didn’t get the results we wanted,’ said Assistant coach Tony D’Agostino. “This is an area in which our practices will focus on over the next week.”

Sunday, the Lakers would face a tough test as Queen’s was looking for revenge as the Lakers handed the Gaels their first loss of the season the week before. The Lakers and Gales shared ball possession for the first half and the Lakers managed to hit the scoreboard first when Alagie Gaye converted a free kick with a header.

The Lakers took the lead into the first half. The second half began in much the same way with both teams creating some chances however Queen’s David Kerr-Vayne tapped in a goal after a collision between Lakers keeper Matt Likuski and a Queen’s player jarred the ball loose in a goal mouth scramble.

Queen’s put the game away in the 76th minute as they countered off a restart and converted on a nice low strike to the bottom corner.

“We were a much improved team then when we faced RMC. We hope to build on this performance when we face Trent next week.” added D’Agostino.

The Lakers are now in third place with 13 points, four points behind Queen’s and nine points the Carleton Ravens who lead the East division.

The Lakers teams will hit the road to play Trent University next Sunday in Peterborough.

Submitted to BayToday.ca