Written by Mason Bugaresti
The Carleton Ravens and University of Toronto Varsity Blues played to a 0-0 draw Sunday at TAAG Park with both sides taking home a point in the table.
The match had a terrific pace from the opening whistle. Both teams came into this one coming off of high-flying offensive performances. Carleton had just beaten the RMC Paladins 5-1 Friday, while the Varsity Blues dismantled the Paladins in their matchup by a lopsided 9-0 score line.
The Varsity Blues nearly found the back of the net in the first minute, but a desperation diving save by Carleton goalkeeper Tyler David (Hawkesbury, Ont.) kept the ball out of the Carleton net.
The Ravens responded with some chances of their own in the first half. After a flurry of Carleton corners, the ball fell to forward Daniel Assaf (Ottawa, Ont.) who attempted a spectacular bicycle kick that nearly beat Toronto’s keeper who just got a touch to the ball.
Minutes later, Scott Mazzotta (Ottawa, Ont.) struck a shot from 25-yards out which beat the goalkeeper, but not the woodwork as the shot came crashing off the post and out. Despite the chances at both ends, the two teams entered halftime locked in a scoreless stalemate.
Carleton continued to generate chances in the second half and was the more aggressive of the two sides in the final 45 minutes. The Ravens nearly took the lead through Danny Assaf (Ottawa, Ont.) after Toronto’s goalkeeper mishandled a cross, but Assaf could not convert on the play.
The Ravens’ best chances to score came in the final 10 minutes of this one, where they had a flurry of shots on target trying to find a late winner. Unfortunately for Carleton, the Ravens’ time ran out and the two teams both collected a point through a 0-0 draw.
Despite the draw, Carleton head coach Kwesi Loney was up-beat in his post-game press conference.
“That hunger and desire is there. Today the actions were right and the opportunities were right, it just didn’t finish for us unfortunately,” Loney said.
The Ravens’ next home game is Saturday, Sep. 17 where they will take on the visiting Nipissing Lakers at 2:15 p.m. live at TAAG Park. Come out early and support the Raven women in the first half of Saturday’s doubleheader which kicks off 12 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are available now!
