Julian Orlando Chaves
Student Journalist
The Mountaineers men's soccer team visited the Sheridan Bruins on Saturday for their first OCAA matchup in nearly two years which closed out a wonderful day of soccer and excitement in Oakville.
After losing a pair of exhibition games against Humber and St. Clair, Mohawk gave a blow of authority and demonstrated a high level of compete. While they fell 5-4 at the hands of the Bruins, the Mountaineers showed one of their best versions and fought until the last whistle.
Head coach Jordan Brown says he loved what he saw from his team in the opening 45 minutes.
"The first half the team was organized. We really limited how the rival played the whole game, which sounds silly because Sheridan scored five goals, but most of the goals were balls over the top," says Brown following his first regular season game at Mohawk. " The level was much higher. The intensity was better, the organization was better, and we created a few more chances."
You could see a compact, organized, and dangerous Mohawk team throughout the first half as they controlled play with passing, possession, and quick recovery. The Mountaineers jumped ahead on a beautiful free kick from Aleksa Markovic and continued to control play throughout the half.
Sheridan scored the equalizer later in the first half after a play originated by a controversial foul before the two teams headed to their locker rooms with a 1-1 score.
It didn't take long for the Mountaineers to take control in the second half, burying two early goals to jump ahead 3-1. That score lasted just 15 minutes before a Bruins onslaught which saw them score four unanswered goals and take a two-goal lead in the process.
The Mountaineers intensity dropped as the speed of the game gradually slowed down, but the team continued to push until the end. They found the back of the net with a few minutes remaining and fought hard for the equalizer in the dying moments.
Brown says the team will need to recover from the tough loss quickly with their second regular season game looming on Tuesday.
"It's going to be a tough game because we are on short rest. We are going to get a couple of days between this game and the next," Brown says. "We will keep a similar game and a similar tactic to use today's disappointment to get a good result on Tuesday."
Tuesday marks the home opener for the Mountaineers men's and women's soccer team as they play host to the Niagara Knights at Redeemer University. The women's team will kick off at 6:00 p.m. followed by the men at 8:00 p.m.
Spectators are permitted for home games at Redeemer University and contact tracing will take place.
