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A Rams player battles for possession against a McMaster opponent along the sideline.
Photo by Colin Wouda
3
Winner Ryerson RYERSON (9-1-1, 9-1-1)
1
McMaster MCMASTER (6-3-2, 6-3-2)
Winner
Ryerson RYERSON
(9-1-1, 9-1-1)
3
Final
1
McMaster MCMASTER
(6-3-2, 6-3-2)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Ryerson RYERSON 2 1 3
McMaster MCMASTER 1 0 1

Game Recap: Soccer (M) | | Christina Flores-Chan

Rams win division title with 3-1 win over McMaster

HAMILTON, Ont. - The Rams men's soccer team finished top of the OUA Central division after defeating the McMaster Marauders 3-1 in their last game of the regular season on Sunday. 

The win marks the end of a tight-matched series and a season-long back-and-forth battle for first place between the top two teams of the division.

Following Thursday's tied final score, tension loomed over the pitch even before kickoff and only built throughout the game's first half. 

As they wrestled for ball possession, both teams moved with quick feet and hungry eyes, looking for opportunities at the net whenever possible. They had racked up six fouls collectively within the first 15 minutes of the game.

Rams offensive powerhouses Zakaria Abdi and Abdallah El-Chanti opened the scoring 17 minutes in, with the goal from Abdi and El-Chanti on the assist. 

It wasn't until a half hour into the game that McMaster's Antonio Sereno scored the equalizer, which was quickly followed by a responding goal from El-Chanti only three minutes later.

At the end of the first half, the Rams were leading 2-1 with six shots and four fouls to McMaster's respective five and six.

The remaining 45 minutes saw more of the same aggressiveness on the pitch. While McMaster played catchup, seeking to tie the game, the Rams controlled the game with level heads, staying calm and careful enough to keep the lead.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Abdi scored an insurance goal with an assist from midfielder Jacob Carlos.

And despite McMaster's seven second half shot attempts, two of which were commendable last-ditch efforts made with only one minute left in the game, the Rams maintained their 3-1 lead until the end to take the win.

Finishing the regular season on top with an 8-1-1 record and a .850 winning percentage, the Rams have clinched the No. 3 seed in the playoffs and will look to conquer the rest of the OUA as they head into the postseason. The playoff journey begins this Wednesday, November 3 when the Rams host the Waterloo Warriors at 7:00 p.m. at Downsview Park.
 
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