OTTAWA - Luca Picciolio scored on a late penalty as the Carleton Ravens won their opening contest of the 2023 season on Sunday afternoon. The Ravens battled through the tight defensive play of the Varsity Blues to secure a 2-1 victory.
First-year forward Amadou Kone (Ottawa, Ont.) centred a cross of a Varsity Blues defender to open the scoring in the 18th minute. The lead would last just over twenty minutes before Michael Maslanka pounced on a missed-placed Ravens ball to tie the game just before the half.
After Kevin Kaba (Ottawa, Ont.) drew a foul inside the box fifteen minutes into the second half, Luca Piccioli (Ottawa, Ont.) stepped up to the penalty spot and made no mistake, finding the bottom right corner for the go-ahead goal.
The Ravens defended well the remainder of the way, turning aside a series of Toronto challenges to hold on for the victory.
The win marks the first at Carleton for head coach Marcelo Plada. Things won't get easier for Plada's crew as they visit Queen's on Friday before hosting the return contest on Sunday afternoon at 3:30 PM.