Hard-fought season ends for menâs soccer
By Michael Sopow, Sports Reporter
On November 5, the Douglas College men’s soccer team began their quest for the CCAA National Championship, facing off against host team, the Sheridan Bruins.
The game started out with equally ambitious movement from both sides of the pitch, each team striving to capitalize early and gain an advantage. Sheridan, known for flashy plays and quick-footed wingers, looked to use the sides of the field to their advantage and create offensive opportunities with their pace of speed.
Throughout the first half, both teamsâ efforts were appropriately stellar and backed with enthusiastic determination, but neither teamsâ offence seemed to find a way to the back of the net. Few open opportunities slipped through both teamsâ defence and shots on the net were limited. There was the occasional chance for both the Royals and the Bruins before the half, but in the end neither could capitalize.
In the 55th minute, the Bruins were awarded a controversial penalty kick which allowed them to take the lead and the first goal of the game making the score 1-0. This seemed to be the needed catalyst for the Bruinsâ offence, and Sheridan only picked up the pace from there.
The Royals were valiant in both their offensive and defensive efforts throughout the remainder of the game, but the Bruins seemed as though they could not be contained, and they proceeded to score two more goals before the final whistle. The Bruins took the game 3-0.
Douglas played their second game against the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Ooks. Although the offensive chances could be deemed proportionate throughout the first half of the game, Douglas definitely showed an edge both physically and mentally on the field at points in the game.
The Royals seemed to demonstrate more of a fluent playing style against the Ooks than the Bruins. More of the field was used to the Royalsâ advantage and they seemed to open up their passes, bringing things to their own style of play.
The first half left both teams without a goal, but it was certainly a hard-fought battle. Going into the second half, the Royals were looking to focus on maintaining their energy and being patient with their offensive chances.
In minute-49, their hard work paid off and they took the lead (1-0) from a rocket by centre-back, Devin Phelan. The Royalsâ offensive pressure seemed relentless throughout the game, but by the 73rd minute, the Ooks managed to bring the game back to even before winning 2-1.
The final game of the tournament for the Royals resulted in a 2-1 win over the Holland Hurricanes in a consolation match.
