OSHAWA, Ont. – After a cancelled season and nearly two years away from Vaso's Fields, the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks men's soccer team is back in action on Sept. 23 against the York Lions.
"Just to be able to train together again and have a common goal together is awesome," said captain
Mateo Marques. "I see it on the field with all the boys, everyone is excited about what's coming."
That common goal is to build on the success the Ridgebacks had when they were last on the field sporting an 8-3-5 record, with a stellar 6-1-1 record at home. The Ridgebacks finished fourth in 2019's regular season and lost to the eventual champion Carleton Ravens in the quarter-finals of the OUA playoffs.
The Ridgebacks run led to leading scorer and Ontario Tech athlete of the year,
Fadi Salback signing with FC Podillya Khmelnytskyi and second-year midfielders
Christopher Campoli and
Danial Rafisamii being selected by York United FC in the Canadian Premier League - U SPORTS Draft. With Campoli and Rafisamii returning to the team this year, Marques says they're expecting big things but it's the return to campus that's got the team locked in and playing together in the preseason.
"Being back on campus and being back on the field is the most amazing feeling and you really realize how special it is when it's taken away from you."
He admits the cancelled season and move to online was "definitely difficult" for the Ridgebacks, but with consistent team meetings and trying to stay in touch the team was able to support each other through the time away from campus.
"Even through school, if people needed help, we kept in touch, that was the main thing," he said. "If we could get together, we would. Depending on the lockdown restrictions we found ways to make it happen."
The return to campus also means they'll have fans in the stands for home games at Vaso's Field. While they're limited to 500 people in the stands, Marques says the team is excited to hear cheers after spending so much time away from the school.
"I'm hoping with the new schedule and having night games and midweek games that we get more fans and we can put on a show for them."
