Weekend split

After losing to Ryerson, Queen’s responds with a victory over Toronto

Four different Gaels contributed goals this weekend
Four different Gaels contributed goals this weekend

Men’s soccer’s fortunes mirrored the weather this weekend at West Campus.

Playing in a downpour on Saturday, Queen’s (3-2-1) was unable to get any momentum going, falling 2-1 to the Ryerson Rams (6-0-1).

The squad recovered quickly, though, defeating the visiting Toronto Varsity Blues (1-3-2) 3-1 on Sunday in more favourable conditions.

Head coach Chris Gencarelli said the team didn’t make many adjustments between games.

“We played more of a 90-minute game,” Gencarelli said after the Toronto game. “[Against Ryerson], we played a great second half, but today we played 60 or 70 minutes really well.”

The Gaels’ struggles in the first half against Ryerson cost them, as the Rams took an early advantage by netting a goal in the sixth minute from midfielder Alexander Braletic.

Though Queen’s defender David Tom tied things up later in the first half, the Gaels still trailed at the half, as Ryerson midfielder Martin Dabrowski put one past keeper Dylan Maxwell in the 32nd minute.

Despite an increase in urgency and pressure, the Gaels were unable to tie the game in the second half.

“We can’t concede two goals against good teams,” Gencarelli said. “Ryerson’s a good team.”

The Gaels dictated tempo much better in Sunday’s clash against Toronto, a major reason for the team’s victory.

“We showed we wanted it more today,” Gencarelli said. “We were much more physical. We weren’t letting the opposition impose their style of play on us.”

The Gaels took the lead in the 31st minute when William Twardek took a long pass from Oliver Coren and put it past the Toronto keeper. This was followed up by a tally by Chris Michael as the half pulled to a close.

Gencarelli said the team focused on keeping up the attack after they took the lead.

“It’s important for us not to sit back after we’re up one-nil or two-nil,” he said. “I was happy the guys were still pushing forward.”

After coming in as a substitute, forward Lucas Lobo made an impact by heading in a Kristian Zanette cross for the Gaels’ final goal of the game.

Gencarelli said a big part of scoring a late goal is already having the lead.

“Once you have the lead, the game opens up a bit because they start pressing, which allows us to counter a bit more,” Gencarelli said. “That’s what happened today.”

A late Toronto goal spoiled Maxwell’s clean sheet bid, but the goalkeeper was otherwise solid, stopping six of the seven shots he faced.

Gencarelli said the Toronto match was the culmination of several solid games by the Gaels.

“We’ve been playing really well the past couple of weeks – we just haven’t got the result,” he said. “Today, we got the result finally, so it’s nice.”

Tags

Gaels, Gencarelli, Men’s Soccer, Ryerson, Toronto

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