SUDBURY, Ont. - The UOIT Ridgebacks men's soccer team fell 1-0 to the Laurentian Voyageurs on Friday afternoon in the first of two northern road games this weekend.
With the loss UOIT drops out of the sixth and final playoff position in the OUA east as the Voyageurs slip one point ahead in the standings with five games remaining in the schedule for both teams.
The Ridgebacks were under pressure early, falling into foul trouble in the first half with two UOIT defenders picking up yellow cards in the opening half. Taking advantage of the pressure, the Voyageurs broke through for the game winner in the 32nd minute as Dean Pizolinas was able to put the ball past UOIT's standout third-year goalkeeper
Nicholas Miller.
Shifting pressure back to the other side of the pitch following the halftime whistle, UOIT midfielder Quintynn Walcott and striker
George Meditskos totaled three shots apiece, with Walcott sending all three directly on goal. However, Laurentian keeper Connor Vande Weghe turned aside all the Ridgebacks attempts to earn the clean sheet.
The Ridgebacks will need to bounce back immediately as they look to return to the playoff picture versus the Nipissing Lakers tomorrow afternoon in North Bay. Kick off for the road contest is scheduled for 2:15 p.m.
Overall Record: 3-11-0 (W-L-D)
Conference Record: 3-8-0
Next match: Saturday, Oct. 6 vs. Nipissing Lakers • 2:15 p.m. – North Bay, Ont.
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