Men's soccer continues to take no prisoners

By: Steve Evenden

Posted: 9/23/03

When the first edition of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport's men's soccer national rankings were released last Tuesday, the lowly Ryerson Rams had no illusions of being included in the top ten.

With no reward for their first three games this season, the Rams would be equally disillusioned if they thought they might walk away from Badgertown with any positive result.

Thus, they probably had no hard feelings returning to the team bus after accomplishing a feat that only the Carleton Ravens had done before. They scored a goal against Brock.

That they allowed three was little surprise, though some in attendance would have imagined the six-scoring Badger's of last week pounding a few more past their hapless opponents. However, the Rams have kept a respectable defensive record this season, mostly attributed to luck, allowing a meagre two goals against.

Shane Kerrigan, Phil Hull and Andrew Norton went on the sheet yesterday in the Brock win, as Ryerson could only manage to convert a sparkling free kick near the end of the first half to spoil Vince Lepiane's shut-out aspirations.

Kerrigan got Brock out of the blocks well, as he put a rebound past the Ryerson keeper, leaving the Rams to wonder how bad it could possibly get.

But, a wicked curling free kick by Ryerson's Dante Asasanta put the Rams inexplicably back level with Brock, and the halftime score was 1-1 despite Brock's best efforts.

The physical and occasionally violent contest swerved back into Brock's favour in the second half, compliments of Hull. Hull was on target for the game-winner and the Badgers would not look back.

Some strong pressure eventually led to an insurance marker later on - a nice achievement in a game which was never in doubt after 45 minutes. Norton was the man driving the stake into the Rams potentially thieving hearts, marking for the first time in regular season action at Brock.

Brock, by virtue of the win, are virtually assured of staying atop the national rankings, while Ryerson can take solace in that they are at least tied for last place nationally.

The ranking, Brock's that is, is interesting in that they don't even lead their division. With 10 points, they sit two in arrears of Carleton, only because Carleton has two more games played, both draws. Queen's is also ahead of Brock at 11 points, holding two draws and three wins through five games.

The South-East division is shaping up to be a dandy, and things will heat up drastically next weekend as Brock makes the trek east to wage battle with first the Golden Gaels and the Ravens the next day. Brock's fate in the division is ostensibly on the line on a trip in which they have historically had difficulties.

Brock was also in action on Saturday, taking on Ottawa in a non-conference game.

Coach Bill Millar was more than happy to rest his starting 11, opting for his second choice team instead, while splitting the goaltending duties between Vince Lepiane, Chris Cutaia and Ryan Allington.

Brock opened the scoring when Shane Kerrigan put one home on the half hour. Brock held on for most of the remaining hour, but gave one away in the waning moments to settle for the draw. Ottawa is not an Ontario University Athletics participant in soccer, and thus the record will not show in the table.