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Varsity Sports |
Oaks Edged in Opener OCU 0-1 USI
The Men's Soccer team went down to a 4th minute penalty, and despite out-shooting, out-cornering and Ernesto Becerra (Lima, Peru) hitting a post, could not find a way back into the game. The game began as it would continue, at a frenetic pace. OCU trying to move the ball quickly through midfield. USI using their physical superiority to win long balls in the air. It was from one of these USI long balls that the first (and only) goal came. With the OCU defence standing appealing for offside, a USI midfielder was able to run onto the ball in the box. Craig Barclay (Milnathort, Scotland) got back in time to make the challenge but was harshly adjudged to have committed a foul. Michael Dugger made no mistake for the home team. The Mighty Oaks had to weather the storm for a few minutes after the goal but were soon back, creating at the other end. The best chance falling to Murray Aitken (Haddington, Scotland) whose left footed volley was well turned away by the USI keeper. The second half saw the Mighty Oaks step their game up further, asking more and more questions of the USI defence. Brandon Gengelbach (Evanston, IN) had a goal bound shot blocked, Jason Morgan (Brampton, Ontario) put a couple just wide from the edge of the box, and Becerra ran on to a Gaius Snyder (Jeffersonville, IN) through ball before seeing his shot rebound of the near post. With time against them, though, the Oaks just couldn't find a way through. Botterill had this to say after the game "This was a good performance against a good team. With a little bit of luck we could have come away from here as worthy winners. That's soccer, though, and we need to learn how to win these games. This was a very promising performance and should stand us in good stead for the remainder of the season." |
