By Tagwa Moyo
The aim of the game is simple: to score more goals than your opponent. That is exactly what the Ryerson men’s soccer team did, beating up on the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Ridgebacks 5-2 on Wednesday evening.
From the early stages of the game the Rams were able to keep possession over UOIT, connecting on most through balls and keeping strategic formation throughout the field. This style of play is relatively new to the Rams and it’s something that they hope to master over the season.
“We have a huge focus on keeping the ball, and growing every game in every possession,” said striker Nick Lambis. “ Doesn’t matter who we’re playing, keep the ball and the chances will come.”
That’s exactly what happened for the Rams early, when they were able to capitalize off a cross-field pass into the box and sophomore Raheem Roose scored the first goal of the game for the Rams.
After scoring the first goal, the Rams were able to maintain possession and looked to be poised to get on the board once more. That momentum was quickly stopped after a Ryerson handball late in the first half gave UOIT a penalty kick, where they scored and evened the game at one.
The late goal seemed to startle the Rams squad going into halftime. However, they started the second half strong, maintaining ball possession and creating multiple offensive opportunities, scoring three unanswered goals in the second half.
Despite the offensive domination in the second half, the Rams still conceded another penalty kick goal, allowing the Ridgebacks to get on the score sheet to make it 4-2.
Coach Filip Prostran is proud of the job that the team did on the offensive end, but is aware that there is still work to be done on the defensive end.
“In the pre-season we spent 99 per cent on defensive principles, we have gone away from it and it showed. We were poor defensively tonight, we let them back in the game twice when I think that we shouldn’t have,” coach Prostran said. “ That rest on the [shoulders of the] good-looking coach.”
Although this game was filled with offensive highs, it was a reminder that defense is still key to the team’s success. With the 5-2 win, the rams improve to a 5-0-1 record and are still leading the OUA East Division.
You can catch the Rams next Saturday afternoon as they take on the Royal Military College of Canada with a start time of 3:15 p.m.
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