University: RMC Paladins v Queen's Gaels quick summary

Yesterday afternoon, the RMC Paladins and Queen's Gaels teams played each other for the second time this season. Previously, Queen's took both games by a 1-0 score in the men's game and 3-1 in the women's. Both games were extremely close and were decided in the very late stages.

Thursday's games were both played out at RMC's campus just across the LaSalle Causeway over the Cataraqui River (a tributary of the Rideau Canal). Unfortunately, I was unable to attend either game, but got a quick summary of the game from one of the assistant coaches of the Queen's women's squad.

The men's game was the early game on this occasion – usually the women play the early game, and the men the second game – and was played under a slight drizzle on the Navy Bay #4 field with a 2pm kickoff. Mac Ojiaku scored at the 28th minute with his second shot of the match, and Queen's went into the half with a 1-0 lead. Almost immediately after the second half began, Eric Cappon double the lead for Queen's. Once they were up 2-0, Queen's began trying to control the possession and keep the scoreline. They were successful as the game finished with a 2-0 score. As usual, the overall play was relatively even between the two teams, with Queen's barely out-chancing RMC 6-4. Overall, the game was free of incident, with no cards being shown.

The women followed the men at 4:15pm with the rain coming down a little more heavily, but only sporadically. Queen's dominated the first half, scoring in the 4th minute behind a goal from Alexis McKinty and an 11th minute goal from Jacqeline Tessier. By the 25th minute, Queen's held a 3-0 lead as Kelli Chamberlain added a goal of her own. During the course of the first half, the ball rarely left the RMC end of the field and the teams went into halftime with a 3-0 scoreline. Soon after the second half began, Breanna Burton scored (tallying in the 49th minute) and then she finished off the scoring in the 77th minute with her second goal of the game for a 5-0 final score. The only card in the game was toStephanie Bengle with a caution for RMC. Sabrina Carew and Chantel Marson from Queen's combined to claim the clean sheet, while Kelly Milliken from RMC was easily RMC's best player as she faced 29 shots in the game.

I was also given an update on Olivia Clarke, RMC's goalkeeper that was injured during the Ryerson game this past Sunday. I was told that her injury was not a tear or ruptured ligament as was initially feared, but was a sprain.

The Queen's Gaels face the Carleton Ravens this Saturday at home with the women kicking off at 1pm and the men at 3:15pm. RMC has their annual alumni (ex-cadet) games at Navy Bay 4 on Saturday at 2pm and 4pm with the women's game leading the way. On Sunday, the women face the University of Ottawa at 5pm, again at Navy Bay 4.