OTTAWA - Congratulations to the Algonquin men's and women's soccer teams - they have both qualified for the OCAA provincials.
In some exciting matches this weekend, both teams prevailed and showed that they are the East Division's toughest competition.
The women defeated provincial host Sheridan College 3-0 on Saturday afternoon. Amy Savage, Jenna Baldree and Julie Paul scored goals.
The women's provincials will take place at Sheridan College, Oct. 25-26.
The men captured a win over Niagara College. Despite a rain delay in the second half, the men's team were able to keep it together and come out on top; 3-1 over Niagara. Algonquin goals were scored by Isaac Johnson, Kenny M'Pindou and Abe Kamara.
The men's soccer provincials will be hosted at Algonquin College Oct. 25-26. Games will be played at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily.
Source: Algonquin College
OTTAWA - When two teams are evenly matched in terms of ability and desire, the difference between them is often distinguished by the smallest of margins.
In the case of the Sheridan Bruins women's soccer team (6-3-1 OCAA) their season came to an abrupt end in the OCAA quarter-final because they couldn't quite get the last touch needed to find the net, while Algonquin did, dropping the 3-0 decision that was not truly indicative of the overall play.
"As the game went on I think we got stronger and stronger," Sheridan head coach Paul Angelini said. "We dominated the second half and the goals that they scored were against the run of play. We hit a crossbar and, of course, it's a game of inches but that could have made all the difference in the world."
It was a tepid start for the Double-Blue, as they struggled to find their balance in the opening 20 minutes while Algonquin tried to impose their will with aggressive and physical play.
Sheridan had their first good scoring opportunity in the 28th minute on a corner kick, with Kaysia Williams winning the ball in the air at the back post, but having the ball sail just high.
Algonquin would score their first goal five minutes later in nearly the same manner off a corner, but with the header finding the target.
Trailing 1-0 at the interval, the Lady Bruins featured a renewed intensity to begin the second half and it nearly paid immediate dividends, with three really close calls.
First was Williams receiving the pass on the run down the left wing and delivering a left-footed strike that beat the keeper but just caught a little too much and rang off the crossbar.
Kendra Cooper also hit the crossbar, albeit from a different angle, while trying to cross the ball into the area off the right wing.
And finally after Ali Palmer swung the ball in from just inside the half on a free kick, Jackie Hart was able to re-direct it towards the target, but it was tipped over the bar.
Algonquin would get their second goal in the 81st minute on another corner kick and it served to deflate the Lady Bruins.
In the second minute of injury time, with the result all but assured, Algonquin would round out their scoring.
While certainly disappointed in the end result, Angelini couldn't have been happier with the actual performance of his team and is hopeful that it serves as a lesson for his players that are returning why it's necessary to maintain their intensity for the entirety of the game.
"I was very proud of the girls in the way they played - with heart and determination and passion," he said. "You never like to end a season on a losing note like this, but I think there's something positive that we can build on."
Source: Sheridan College