| OCU
Varsity Sports |
Oaks Second in Tourney OCU 1-2 Bryan After an eventful and ultimately disappointing first game, the Mighty Oaks rallied in the second game to finish the weekend 1-1 and secure second place in the Bryan Invitational Tournament. Opening the tournament against Bryan, the team that beat OCU in the regional final last season, was always going to be a tough ask, but that got much tougher within the first 10 minutes. First, a miscommunication in the OCU penalty area allowed Bryan to open the scoring. Scott Cliff (Sudbury, Ontario) got a good hand to the shot from point blank range but was unable to keep it out. Then, players, bench and crowd alike, were stunned to see Murray Aitken (Haddington, Scotland) red-carded for what was essentially a trip at the half way line. Despite dual set-backs, the Mighty Oaks were playing pretty well and looked to be comfortably holding their opponents. That all changed when Robert Sherrard (Manchester, England)when down under a very heavy challenge from a Bryan player. With Sherrard in agony on the floor the Mighty Oaks appealed for the game to stop so that he could get treatment. The referee allowed the game to continue and Bryan took advantage of the situation to double their lead. The Mighty Oaks refused to lay down, however, and some tricky play by Adem ALi (London, England), inside the box led to him being brought down. He stepped up to take the penalty that he won, but was unable to convert. The second half gave the Mighty Oaks hope as they resumed with equal numbers (a Bryan player was ejected just before half time) and they looked to take advantage of this with some vibrant attacking play. Ernesto Becerra (Lima, Peru) recieved the ball on the edge of the box, chipped a delightful through ball to Jan Weirum (Greve, Denmark) and was on hand to turn in his cross from 6 yards. The Mighty Oaks continued to create chances but the extended time playing short handed, wore tehm down and they were unable to find the equaliser. Just 13 hours later, the Mighty Oaks returned to play Freed-Hardeman University, comfortable winners the night before. The Mighty Oaks started sluggishly, with their opponents holding the majority of possesion. The Oaks looked dangerous on the break however and they didn't have to wait long to get their first. A wide free-kick was whipped into the back post by Craig Barclay (Musselburgh, Scotland) and Darryl Wilson (Haddington, Scotland) rose highest to direct it home. The lead was soon doubled when Weirum broke down the right and pulled the ball back for Ronald Stanislaus (Trinidad and Tobago) to score, side-footed from 12 yards. The third and final goal of the half came from Adem Ali when he dispossessed a defender and broke into the area before finishing neatly between the goalkeeper's legs. The Mighty Oaks began the second half as they ended the first, Gaius Snyder (Jeffersonville, IN) broke past two defenders before unleashing a canon toward the far post. The goalkeeper reacted well to make teh save but was helpless as Becerra was on hand to despatch the rebound. FHU were given hope with a late PK but the game ended with a deserved 4-1 victory for the Mighty Oaks. "This was a great learning experience for the team." Noted Botterill "We faced a lot of adversity this weekend and proved to oursleves that we can play well, when a man down or dead tired. This gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season." |
