By: Teru Ikeda
SCARBOROUGH, ONT. - Despite an aggressive start to this game, two second half goals allowed proved to be fatal for the Centennial Colts as they fell 2-0 to the St. Lawrence Vikings at Progress Turf Field.
The Colts came out of the gates aggressively in the first half, outshooting the Vikings, 9-5. Colts midfielder Jessica Friend had four of her team's nine first half shots. Her teammates made many beautiful thru passes, but both teams went scoreless into the dressing room at halftime.
"If we could put some thru balls to Jessica, maybe she could do some damage," Diarmuid O'Connor, Colts Head Coach said, explaining the logic behind Centennial's offensive tactic.
Immediately after the second half started, however, Vikings forward Kaitlyn Balfour scored the ball in the bottom right corner. The Colts continued firing six shots in the second half, but had difficulty putting in the equalizer.
In the 76th minute, Vikings defender Cassandra Almeida buried a goal past Colts goalkeeper Sabrina Rizzo to end any hopes of a comeback.
"They scored first so we were chasing the game down," O'Connor said. "We've played St. Lawrence before, but (I) felt like they out toughed us."
Despite the loss, O'Connor remained optimistic, highlighting the team's improved defense. Their playmaking ability improved markedly as well, especially in the first half, as numerous thru balls created golden scoring chances.
TOP THREE PERFORMERS OF THE GAME
Centennial Colts
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Fran Robinson (D)
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Faith Anderson (D)
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Jessica Friend (MF)
St. Lawrence Vikings
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Kaitlyn Balfour (D): 1 goal
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Megan Edwards (GK): 8 saves, clean sheet
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Chelsea Cayer (MF)
CATCH OUR NEXT GAME
The women head to Vaso's Field in Oshawa on Thursday Oct. 4 to face off against the Durham Lords. Kickoff is at 6:00pm.