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A Rams player celebrates his goal against Nipissing.
Photo by Josh Kim
2
Nipissing NIPISSIN ()
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Winner Ryerson RYERSON ()
Nipissing NIPISSIN
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2
Final
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Ryerson RYERSON
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Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Nipissing NIPISSIN 0 2 2
Ryerson RYERSON 3 0 3

Game Recap: Soccer (M) | | Joe Mastromatteo

Offence leads the way to 3-2 win over Nipissing

TORONTO - The Rams men's soccer forwards paved the way to a 3-2 win over the Nipissing Lakers on Sunday afternoon. In a game that saw three penalties awarded, it was the Rams' offence which prevailed. 

Justin Santos had another dynamic performance on home pitch, netting a pair of goals for the Rams in the first half. Abdallah El-Chanti also slotted one in from the spot after earning the game's first penalty. 

After heavy possession in the opening 20 minutes, forward Zakaria Abdi believed he had opened the scoring. However, it was called offside. 

Santos soon took over, using his pace to create chances and score his first OUA goal in the 30th minute. The goal caused a roar from the Rams' bench and saw El-Chanti give Santos a lengthy hug as they walked back up field. 

"Always good to get that first one down. Now we put that past us and worry about the next game," said Santos.

Minutes later, El-Chanti seemed to chip another ball in, but it was saved near the goalline by a Laker defender. However, El-Chanti was fouled moments later, and finished his awarded penalty with composure to make it 2-0.

In the 41st minute, Santos was left alone with the last man back. The Ram quickly stripped the defender of the ball and walked in alone towards the keeper. He had no trouble curling the ball past him to send the Rams up 3-0 into the half.

Momentum swayed in the second half. Laker Jacob Collins found himself in the box with Tomas Castaldo and Collins quickly went down. Despite protests from the Rams, Nipissing quickly converted the penalty.

"Literally the slightest touch (from me) and he just drops, like nothing," said Castaldo. "Life goes on. It was hit or miss," he commented about the fouls called in the second half. 

In stoppage time, Faisal Ghaffur had another penalty saved after going down in the Nipissing box. Ghaffur was involved in many physical plays throughout the 90 minutes.

Moments later, Nipissing capitalized on the shift in momentum by tapping a volley in from near the goal line. It ended up being the last play of the game as the final whistle blew shortly after the ball crossed the line.

Despite debating referee decisions from the sideline throughout the game, the Rams only called on themselves to be better.

"We got a bit complacent with our score. We thought we had the game in the bag," said Castaldo. 

"To be honest I blame myself the most," said coach Filip Prostran. "I took the foot off the gas pedal and I made it more interesting than it needed to be."

Either way, the Rams have improved to 3-1 on the season after sweeping this week's doubleheader against Nipissing. 

Next week, they take on Algoma on the road, with the next Rams home game coming on October 24.
 
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