Ravens put an end to #2 Gees’ winning streak, lack of offence slows team
Photo: Marta Kierkus
The second-ranked Gee-Gees women’s soccer team had to settle for a tie against cross-city rival, the Carleton Ravens. The Gees entered the game with two weeks ranked second in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) top ten polls.
The Ravens, who had lost five out of seven games, cut short the Gees’ six-week winning streak.
“Obviously we would’ve liked to get the win,” said team captain, Pilar Khoury. “Teams are very close this year in terms of quality so it’s going to be a little tougher. We know that now. Every game is a battle for points so we are going to take the point given to us today and move on to the next one.”
The lack of scoring didn’t mean there were a lack of opportunities, in fact the fast-paced match saw no end in offensive plays for both teams. However, solid defence and great performances from both goalkeepers kept the ball out of the nets.
Carleton keeper, Elizabeth McDougall, robbed the Gees on a penalty kick in the second half, not even giving up a rebound. Later in the game, a scramble in Carleton’s box led to several collisions, but no scoring.
But don’t write them off just yet. “We’ve scored 23 goals in 7 games,” pointed out Khoury. “I wouldn’t say (scoring’s) an issue. It’s one game. Every team will have trouble in a certain task sometimes and today for us it was scoring. We missed some great opportunities that normally we would capitalize on. Next week we’ll just have to focus on it a bit more. But I’m not worried.”
Captain Julia Francki identified passing, speed of play, and team chemistry as areas the team can improve in. “It wasn’t our best game, but there were some positives of the game. I thought we worked hard and created opportunities,” said Francki.
She said there is added pressure on the team’s veterans, pointing to the young age of the team, while Khoury said rookies and veterans alike have the same expectations.
“Our team is very young so I think there is a lot of responsibility on the veterans of the team, but it is necessary for us to use our experience and lead by example,” said Francki.
“Sometimes when things don’t go well you look for (team leaders) to lift a team up, but everyone is responsible for how well the team plays,” said Khoury. “It’s a team. It’s not or shouldn’t be put on the shoulders of a couple players but rather put on all 30 girls who are in the change room every day.”
The women’s soccer team will be on the road for a match in Kingston against Queen’s on Oct. 2. They return to Matt Anthony Field to take on RMC on Oct. 4.
