The Gaels returned this weekend with lessons, but they would’ve preferred some wins.
Queen’s men’s soccer team couldn’t find points in a challenging weekend, falling 2–0 on the road to Ontario Tech University Ridgebacks on Sept. 25 before dropping a 3-2 decision to the Trent University Excalibur on Sept. 28 at Richardson Stadium.
Thursday’s game in Oshawa slipped away despite Queen’s carrying much of the play. Ontario Tech struck in the 14th minute and added a second goal in the 57th to secure the win. The Gaels outshot the Ridgebacks 15-10 and held a 7-6 edge in shots on target, but couldn’t find a way past Ontario Tech goalkeeper Peter Sheberstov.
Back in Kingston on Sunday, the Gaels honoured the 1995 OUA championship team with a pre-game ceremony. The Excalibur crashed the party early, though, scoring 10 minutes in and capitalizing on two penalty kicks to build a 3-1 lead at halftime.
Queen’s fought back in the second half. Jacob Ball, ArtSci ’29, scored early to spark momentum, and Nathan Baker, ArtSci ’29, scored with seconds left after being set up by Ian Ferguson, ArtSci ’26. Goalkeeper Connor Adams, ArtSci ’26, made four crucial saves to keep his team in reach, but the Gaels couldn’t complete the comeback.
Head Coach Kasy Kiarash told The Journal in an interview that the weekend underscored the competitiveness of OUA East. “Anyone can beat anyone on any day,” he said. “We were the ones celebrating a 99th-minute winner the week before, and this time we were on the other end. If we don’t work as hard—or harder—than the opponent, teams will come in and steal points.”
He acknowledged that discipline was also a factor in Sunday’s result. “Two penalties really hurt us,” Kiarash said, referring to two Trent goals scored through penalty kicks. “Some calls felt harsh, but we can only control what we can control. The challenge is to stay level-headed and not let frustration snowball.”
While the losses sting, Kiarash said he’s encouraged by the depth in a roster featuring 15 new players. He pointed to the “next-man-up mentality” within the squad, noting that substitutes and transfers have been kept ready to contribute.
This was especially notable when star Andrea Gortana, MBA ’26, was forced out of the Trent match midway through the first half. “We’ve had some key injuries, but the guys who aren’t starting have worked hard behind the scenes,” he said. “When their number’s called, they’ve stepped up and made an impact.”
Kiarash added that the group’s resilience has been positive through the first half of the season. “From minute one to 90, you get full throttle from this team,” he said. “Even when we’re down two goals, the guys keep pushing until the final whistle. As a coach, that makes me proud.” At the same time, he knows his team has room for improvement. “Starting slow has been an issue. That’s the big lesson: we need to bring that fight from the very first minute.”
The Gaels now sit at 3-4-1 in the OUA East, in the middle of the table with four matches to play, and every game going forward will have to contribute to their playoff push.
Queen’s faces Nipissing University at home on Oct. 4, at 3:15 p.m., before taking on Carleton University less than 24 hours later in a turnaround Kiarash said will test the team’s character.
“Everyone will have a part to play this weekend,” he said. “It’s going to be about leaning on our depth and showing how strong we are as a unit.”
Tags
Connor Adams, Ian Ferguson, Jacob Ball, Kasy Kiarash, Men’s Soccer, Nathan Baker, Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, Trent Excalibur
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