By: Jamie Branje

Nailah Rowe scored another outstanding goal but the Centennial Colts were unable to rally from an early deficit as they ultimately fell 3-1 to the Algonquin Thunder Friday night in Scarborough.

Becky Leese was the star for the visiting Thunder, as she scored two goals in the first half.

Sabrina Rizzo faced a flurry of opportunities and was strong in net despite the loss, as Centennial was unable to truly ever take control of the game.

Head Coach Diarmuid O'Connor was proud of the effort put forth by Centennial (2-3-0), despite the negative result. "We gave 100% right to the end, which we talked about before. No matter what happens in the game, never give up."

Shots totalled 34-6 at the end of the game in favour of Algonquin, which was largely indicative of game flow throughout. Centennial scored on an impressive counter-attack opportunity, but real scoring chances eluded them for most of the game.

The game started to get chippy nearing the end point, as Algonquin collected two yellow cards in a span of a minute in the 83rd. Mikaela Gualandris and Leese were each carded after getting aggressive with their defence.

"I'm glad they weren't our yellow cards. It's a sign that in years gone by they would've had all their best players off the field at that point," said O'Connor after the game.

"We knew that they're one of the better teams out there, we gave it our best shot - we gave an early goal away which I thought in years gone by we would've collapsed and conceded eight or nine more but we didn't, which is a credit to the girls and the hard work they've put in."   

In the fourth minute of the game Algonquin got the scoring started early with a scrambling play in the crease. Two point-blank saves by Rizzo were not enough as Leese put back the second rebound off of the right post.

Threatening again at the 10 minute mark, Algonquin's Leese looked for her second early on with a rocket from just outside the crease, but Rizzo was able to make the jumping save. Algonquin's third corner try of the game was unsuccessful.

Centennial found their first life on a counter-attack for Rowe, as she charged down the left wing and fired from just outside the crease. The Algonquin goalkeeper got just enough of the shot to deflect it wide but the Colts got their first shot on goal with the try at 15 minutes.

 In the 21st minute, Leese was able to beat Rizzo yet again on a prolonged play in the crease. Centennial was shaky getting the ball cleared of the danger zone throughout, and Leese was able to squeak the ball past Rizzo for her second of the match.

Centennial found their answer in the 39th minute with just two players deep against four defenders - Brenda Jahshan controlled a deep pass just long enough to get it to Rowe, who came across the crease before burying a perfect shot just inside the left post for her OCAA-leading 8th goal of the young season. 

"I saw an open left side and I thought I'd take the shot." Said Rowe, when asked to reflect on what she saw on the goal.

"The difference between years gone by and this year was she just needs two yards space and she can take off and score against anybody and she showed that tonight with one of the best goals she's scored in a long time for us," said Coach O'Connor of his star striker.

The second half opened roughly the same way the first half did - with Algonquin continuing to dominate. After a 23-to-4 shot favour in the first half, they opened with a great opportunity just a minute into the new half, with a cross beating every defender but the Algonquin attacker just unable to get a foot on it to bury it.

Algonquin pushed the lead back to two on a corner kick at the 64th minute, nicely placed in the crease to allow Samantha Moore-Caesar to score on a header in the left corner of the net. 

Rowe got space with the ball in stoppage time and sent an offer from the edge of the crease just over the crossbar, in a game that Centennial just couldn't claw their way back in.

"There aren't even words to express how proud I am of my team today, not one person on the field stopped, gave up, put their head down, players coming in everyone gave 100% and that's all I can ask for," said Rowe after the game.

Centennial will be back in action tomorrow, in a Saturday afternoon bout with second-ranked St. Lawrence at Progress Campus in Scarborough.