Lakers soccer weekend recap

Nipissing’s Lady Lakers soccer team got off to a rough start on the weekend, falling 6-0 to Ottawa on Saturday, before rebounding toearn a tie against Carleton on Sunday; while the men’s team fell 4-0 to Carleton.Lady Lakers versus Ottawa Gee GeesIt was not the running of the bulls in Spain at Nipissing University Saturday afternoon however the Gee Gees set the reigns free in a 6-0 victory.
The young Lady Lakers squad battled hard, but was overwhelmed by a seasoned Ottawa team.
Early in the first half, Nipissing was dealt a crushing blow when captain Ashley Poirier suffered a season ending injury. The Lady Lakers persevered and tried to push through the difficult circumstances.
The Lakers first scoring chance came in the 15th minute when midfielder Kim Tait received a pass and fired a shot that sailed just over the cross bar.
The game remained in a scoreless deadlock with both team exchanging good opportunities until Ottawa’s Christine Hardie was sent in all alone on a through ball, firing it past a diving Kelly Van Boxmeer. Hardie would tally her second goal of the game at the 30th minute when she converted a cross from teammate Elizabeth Wong.
The second half started in strong fashion for the Lady Lakers as Justine McNichol made a nice cross; however, the alert Ottawa goalkeeper intercepted the ball to keep it out of harm’s way. Van Boxmeer was then tested several times as the Lady Lakers pressed forward to create pressure while she came through by making several highlight reel saves.
With time pressing, the Lady Lakers applied some pressure trying to create some offence; however, the speedy counterattack from the Gee Gees was in full force and they capitalized on every opportunity.
When the dust settled the Gee Gees scored four answered goals in the second half to put the contest out of reach.Lady Lakers rebound against Ravens
On Sunday, the Nipissing Lady Lakers shook off the lopsided loss to the Gee Gees the previous day and came out with a renewed energy and it showed from the opening whistle.
The Lady Lakers maintained most of the possession early on in the game and applied steady pressure, which yielded two quick corner kicks that were headed by Lakers players but kept out of the net by the Ravens goal keeper.
The Lady Lakers were quick to take time and space away from their opponents and managed a counter attack game that created positive offensive opportunities. The Ravens seemed to find more of an offensive groove midway through the first half, getting some balls through to their forwards; however Lakers goal keeper Kelly Van Boxmeer stood tall.
The Ravens were first to hit the scoreboard when a seemingly harmless throw in at half was received by a midfielder who was unchecked and was able to place a well struck cross on the foot of Nicole Filipow who blasted a shot passed Van Boxmeer at the 45th minute of the first half.
The score remained the same until the Lady Lakers fifth year veteran Kim Tait was able to head home a corner kick in the opening minutes of the second half.
Both teams shared possession for most of the second half until the final 10 minutes, when Carleton was pushing hard to break the deadlock and the Lady Lakers were on their heels. In the end, the Lady Lakers were able to withstand the assault and the game finished in a 1-1 draw.
The Lady Lakers regular season record is now 0-4-3 while Carleton sits at 3-3-1.Men’s action: Ravens blank Lakers
From the opening whistle it was clear why the Carleton Ravens are atop the OUA East division soccer standings. Their physical play combined with their speed and precision passing make them a difficult team to defend.
The Ravens dictated most of the play in the first half by maintaining ball possession. Carleton striker Andrew Latty provided the offence for the Ravens as he scored a pair to close out the half.
The physical play continued in the second half and numerous cautions were awarded by the referee who was trying to maintain some control of the game.
Latty then scored the natural hat trick, putting away a through ball sent in by the Ravens midfield and tucking it passed a diving Andrew Richard.
The Lakers tried to press forward but seemed unable to penetrate the Carleton defence and were kept to the outside for most of the game.
The Ravens final goal came in the 89th minute when Samuel McHugh scored a beauty, burying a shot in the top corner with his left foot to put the game out of reach.
The Lakers record is now 1-4-1 while Carleton improves to 4-2-0.