UOIT Ridgebacks win inaugural OUA game against Brock Badgers

photo courtesy of Brock University Sports Information

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – It was an afternoon to remember for the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) as the men’s soccer team defeated Brock 4-2 in the Ridgebacks inaugural OUA regular season game.

”It was a big victory for our program,” said UOIT head coach Vaso Vujanovic. “The coaching staff is proud of the guys as the win was an entire team effort. We cannot celebrate for too long however, as we will have to regroup quickly as we are back at it tomorrow.”

Striker Luke St. John ( Clermont, Barbados) got UOIT on the board scoring the first goal in Ridgebacks history, finding the back of the net off a scramble in the final minute of the first half.

”It was simply amazing,” said St. John. “Our team talked about how big this game was and it was great that I was able to contribute to the win.”

With the Ridgebacks carrying a 2-0 lead (following a goal from Tochukwu Obikili) in the late stages in the game, the fold gates would open up as the teams combined for four goals in the final ten minutes.

Brock’s Kosta Krajisnik scored the Badgers first goal burying a free kick (84’), but UOIT captain Paul Craven (Oshawa, Ont.) would strike back with a strike of his own just two minutes later. Krajisnik narrowed the gap once again as he netted his second goal of the game during the 86th  minute, scoring off a Badgers cross.

Following another wave of pressure from Brock in the final minutes of regulation, UOIT was able to capitalize off of the Badgers offensive attack and push the ball up field. Freshman Justin Gordon (Pickering, Ont.), who had troubled the Badgers defence all game, sealed the victory scoring the Ridgebacks fourth goal.

Craven (Oshawa, Ont.), who scored the game winning goal for UOIT, was thrilled with the final outcome and the team’s performance; ”It was a great feeling to get a win in our first game. We were able fight back every time they made a run at us. We played hard and deserved the win.”

Oliver Lietz (Mississauga, Ont.) was in net for UOIT making seven stops in the victory.

Even though the Ridgebacks picked up the win, it was not all good news for UOIT as freshmen striker Daniel Matthews (Pickering, Ont.) broke his collarbone in the eighth minute and is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season.

The Ridgebacks will not have much time to celebrate their victory as the team will travel to Toronto on Sunday for a match against the CIS sixth ranked York Lions. Game time is at 3:15 p.m.

GAME RECAP

Final Score: UOIT 4 – Brock 2
Half-time Score: UOIT 1 – Brock 0

Scoring Summary
UOIT - 44:30 - Luke St. John (1)
UOIT - 54:06 - Tochukwu Obikili (1)
Brock - 81:04 - Kosta Krajisnik (1)
UOIT - 82:38 - Paul Craven (1)
Brock - 85:38 - Kosta Krajisnik (2)
UOIT - 88:43 - Justin Gordon (1)

Corner Kicks
UOIT – 2
Brock – 13

Penalty Totals
UOIT: 0 red cards, 2 yellow cards, and 4 fouls
Brock: 1 red card, 3 yellow cards, and 8 fouls

A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 1-4-0
Conference Record: 1-0-0

Next Game: Sun. Sept. 5 @ York (3:15 p.m.)
Next Home Game: Thu. Sept. 9 vs. Durham (6 p.m.) *Campus Cup Exhibition Game

Source:

UOIT Sports Info