OTTAWA, Ont. – Since their victory over Carleton in the opening round of the 2014 playoffs, the UOIT men's soccer team has struggled against the Ravens. The Ridgebacks tough times continued to open up the 2017 OUA season as they dropped a 2-0 decision in Ottawa.
With the victory, Carleton is 5-0-0 against UOIT over the past three years.
Despite being dominated in time of possession in the opening half hour, UOIT managed to stay level with the Ravens and have one of the better scoring opportunities with
Mateo Marques (Burlington, Ont.) putting a free kick just over the bar.
Carleton would finally break the deadline 32 minutes in as Davon Graeves (Ajax, Ont.) had the ball bounce off him for an own goal while hustling back in defence.
UOIT would respond with more ball control to end the first half but Carleton's Emad Houache would break their hearts as he scored his first of the year to go up 2-0 in the 42
nd minute.
The teams would be more physical in the second half with four cards being issued including Marques getting his second card of the day in the 65
th minute.
Playing a man down, UOIT managed to get two shots on target but Carleton goalkeeper Nick Jeffs stopped them both. At the other end,
Nicholas Miller (Oshawa, Ont.) saw 14 shots on target, stopping 12 of them in the loss.
The Ridgebacks will make the trip back to Vaso's Field for a 1 p.m. kickoff against the Queen's Gaels for their 2017 home opener on Sunday, Aug. 27. Queen's was idle on Saturday and will make their season debut against the Ridgebacks.
NOTES: UOIT coaches
Peyvand Mossavat and
Farzad Yousefian were not available at the game because they are representing Canada at the 29th Summer Universiade in Taipei.
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 0-3-0
Conference Record: 0-1-0
Next Game: Sunday, Aug. 27 vs. Queen's (1 p.m.)
