Four points for third place

Gaels draw with Laurentian, beat Nipissing

Queen’s will face Nipissing in the first round of the OUA playoffs
Image by: Nicolaas Smith
Queen’s will face Nipissing in the first round of the OUA playoffs

Men’s soccer enters the post-season in search of consistent scoring.

The Gaels played their final two games of the regular season this past weekend, tying the Laurentian Voyageurs 0-0 on Saturday at home before going on to skunk the Nipissing Lakers 7-0 Sunday afternoon.

Queen’s was unable to score against the strong Laurentian squad (5-4-5). The Voyageurs allowed just 14 goals in 14 regular season games, boasting one of the OUA’s stingiest defences.

Spirits were bolstered on Homecoming weekend by a strong alumni presence, including many former players. At the half, Queen’s led the shots 4-0.

Head coach Chris Gencarelli said his team played well despite their inability to score.

“It was just like a brick wall in front of the net,” he said.

The Gaels threatened early in the second half, outmuscling the Voyageurs for the rest of the game, but couldn’t register a score. Despite being able to control throw-ins and corner kicks, the Gaels were held scoreless.

Goaltender Dylan Maxwell was challenged by two shots in the second half.

In the season’s final test, the Gaels easily handled Nipissing (5-8-1). Will Twardek and Chris Wellsman each scored twice for Queen’s, while the defence rallied to allow zero shots on net. The glut of scores contrasted the previous day’s drought.

“This game will hopefully instill confidence in them,” Gencarelli said.

The team’s scoring concerns were epitomized by striker Tommy Hong during Sunday’s game.

In the 31st minute, Hong missed a great setup, only to receive another opportunity one minute later which was stopped by the keeper. He attacked the net relentlessly for the rest of the game, but failed to put a score on the board.

Coach Gencarelli wants to build on these efforts.

“That was the good thing this weekend – we created a lot of scoring opportunities and we didn’t concede,” he said. “That’s important going into the playoffs.”

The Gaels finished their season with a record of 6-5-3, finishing third in the OUA East division. They’ll have home-field advantage tomorrow for their first post-season match against Nipissing.

If they win that, they’ll advance to an OUA quarterfinal matchup against the second-place Carleton Ravens (8-3-3), slated for next Sunday in Ottawa.

Tags

Gaels, Gencarelli, Laurentian, Maxwell, Men’s Soccer, Nipissing

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