OSHAWA, Ont. – The UOIT Ridgebacks men's soccer team dropped their final preseason contest 2-1 to the visiting UQTR Patriotes on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 21) at the Oshawa Civic.
In the midst of a late summer downpour, the Ridgebacks were on fire to open the match, holding possession in the Patriotes end for the first 20 minutes of action. Fifth-year striker
George Meditskos and second-year forward
Taidgh Burton displayed high-motors, consistently pressuring the UQTR defence into turnovers in the midfield. Meditskos was able to take advantage of one such turnover in the 20th minute. With the Patriotes losing possession on an errant pass, Meditskos was immediately sprung free with a long through ball, depositing the perfect pass into the back of the net to put UOIT ahead 1-0.
Following the go-ahead goal, UQTR slowed the pace of the game to remedy their early passing struggles. The shift in momentum proved worthwhile, as on a slow developing play up the field, Patriotes forward Adam Tait evened the game after some miscommunication from the Ridgebacks back line. The game was all square 1-1 after 45 minutes.
With a host of substitutions at the half, UQTR continued to control the pace of play. Ridgebacks third-year goalkeeper
Nicholas Miller was under duress for much of the second half, but proved to be up to the task with several spectacular efforts including a touch of the hand that sent a near goal off the crossbar and out of play. Miller played the full 90 minutes, picking up seven saves.
The Patriotes broke through in the 65th minute with a tally from Jeremie Nathaniel Tothad to secure the exhibition victory.
UOIT now looks forward to the beginning of the OUA regular season, set to start this Saturday, Aug. 25 in Toronto. The Ridgebacks will challenge the Ryerson Rams with kick off scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Downsview Park, before taking on the Toronto Varsity Blues the following afternoon at Varsity Stadium.
Overall Record: 0-3-0 (W-L-D)
Conference Record: 0-0-0
Next match: Saturday, Aug. 25 @ Ryerson Rams (3:30 p.m. – Toronto, Ont.)
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