Written by Mason Bugaresti
It was a dramatic end to an emotional season for the 2021 Carleton Ravens men’s soccer team. From finishing third in the OUA to a disappointing playoff exit against the Guelph Gryphons, the team rode its many highs and few lows all the way to a penalty shootout in the National Championship game. After dramatic wins against the UBC Thunderbirds and Cape Breton Capers, the Ravens came up just short in the U Sports National Men’s Soccer Championship game falling to the University of Montreal Carabins. Now, a fully re-stocked Ravens team looks to complete last year’s unfinished business and bring an OUA and U Sports title to TAAG Park.
Several key players from last year’s national finalists return for another season under head coach Kwesi Loney. Captain Ricky Comba (Ottawa, Ont.) is back at TAAG Park after a great 2021 campaign. The midfielder ended last season by scoring a dramatic goal against the CBU Capers to send Carleton to the Men’s Soccer National title game. Defender Raphael Garcia (Ottawa, Ont.) is back for another season, coming off of a fantastic season that saw him be one of just six players named to the 2021 U Sports Men’s Soccer All-Canadian First Team.
Scott Mazzotta (Ottawa, Ont.) also rejoins this 2022 edition of Carleton men’s soccer after surprisingly going undrafted in the 2022 Canadian Premier League draft. Mazzotta’s speed is his greatest asset and his pace helped him contribute three goals and two assists in ten matches for the Ravens last season. Veteran defender Quinn Honeyman-Wootton (Chelsea, QC.) returns to help stabilize the Carleton defence after his role greatly increased down the stretch of the 2021 season.
The Ravens have brought in a pair of new players to this year’s team, including one familiar face. Defender Cristopher Malekos (Saint-Hippolyte, QC.) returns to the pitch this season after a lengthy hiatus. Malekos was an instrumental part of the Ravens’ 2018 OUA-winning team, being named an OUA First Team All-Star. Carleton also added former Cape Breton Caper Daniel Williams (Pierrefonds, QC.) to this year’s team. Williams is a lightning-quick forward who started in ten of CBU’s twelve matches in 2021, scoring twice in the final four matches.
The new-look Ravens will play twelve matches this season in the OUA, hoping to improve on their impressive 7-1-2 record from last year’s ten-match schedule.
Carleton will kick off their 2022 regular season on the road, taking on the Queen’s Gaels at 3:15 p.m. on September 2nd. On September 11th, the Ravens return to Carleton for their first match of the season at TAAG Park, where they will take on the Toronto Varsity Blues at 3:15 p.m. Tickets are available now at goravens.ca/tickets.
