TORONTO - The Seneca Sting battled the Algonquin Thunder to a 1-1 draw in their home opener at Newnham Campus Field Saturday afternoon.
Fresh off a dominating 5-0 defeat of the Cambrian Golden Shield in their opening game of the 2013 season, the Seneca Sting knew they would be tested against the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association's (CCAA) 14th ranked team.
The Sting battled the unbeaten Thunder, holding their own against the nationally ranked opponent. Seneca came out strong early, getting their first chance of the match in just the second minute on a shot by second year Cassandra Nicolodi (Toronto) which forced the Thunder keeper to come up with a save.
In the 18th minute, the Sting struck on a goal by first year Sting, Rita Keimakh (Maple). Keimakh shot came from just inside the 18-yard box and found the back of the net through a crowd of defenders. It was Keimakh's first goal of the season.
Less than a minute later in the 19th minute, the Thunder evened the match. Algonquin's Amy Savage sent a pass right through the six-yard box to a streaking Jaymie Baldree who casually directed the ball into the back of the Sting goal.
Not to be deflated by the equalizer, Seneca pushed back in the 23rd minute on a chance by Andrea Runco (Newmarket). Runco broke past a Thunder defender to the outside and struck a high-rising shot which narrowly missed high and wide.
Just before the half was over, the Thunder looked for the go-ahead marker. Ginny Cass sent a shot from just inside the left side of the 18-yard box, but Sting goalkeeper Rachel Dorland (Richmond Hill) made a diving save to thwart the offensive chance.
The second half saw the two teams battle for field position with few scoring chances due to defensive tactics employed. The Thunder looked for a late goal when they were awarded a corner kick in the 87th minute after Dorland made a save, but rolled out of bounds. Algonquin was whistled for a foul on the corner kick and the game finished as a draw.
The Sting get right back into action Sunday at home against La Cité Coyotes at 2 p.m. at Newnham Campus Field. The Thunder are off until next Saturday as they welcome George Brown Huskies at 1 p.m.
Source: Seneca College