By Steve Petrick
Betting that the Ryerson men’s soccer team makes the playoffs this year is a bit like wagering the Trix Rabbit will outsmart those pesky kids for a bowl of cereal.
Two losses last weekend and injuries to several players has resulted in a devastating first half of the season for the Rams.
Both weekend losses came on the road. Ryerson fell first to Laurentian 3-0 last Saturday, and then lost to Nipissing 1-0 the following day.
One win on the weekend would have put Ryerson alone in sixth spot in the Ontario University Athletics east division, two places back of a playoff spot. Now, however, they find themselves tied for last, with a record of 16.
“Every game is a must-win now,” Rams head coach Stuart Miller said.
This is especially true when the Rams travel to Peterborough this Sunday to take on Trent University. Trent is one of the teams Ryerson is battling with at the bottom of the standings.
This battle-for-the-basement game follows a home game against Carleton University’s Raven on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Birchmount Stadium in Scarborough.
For the Rams to have a decent chance in either game, Miller knows the health of some of his players will have to improve.
Goalkeeper Julian Angelone had to play through a minor concussion Sunday, which he received Saturday, and striker Ivano DeLuca played through a sore back.
The Rams have already lost captain Tim Clarke due to a severe concussion.
Ryerson will be underdogs tis weekend while facing Carleton, which leads the OUA-east with a record of 5-1, but the Rams will be motivated by revenge.
Earlier this month, Ryerson was crying foul at the quality of officiating in Ottawa and feel the Ravens are a beatable team.
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