After having the Season/Home Opener last week versus Dawson called off at half-time due to a severe lightning storm, the Cavaliers were hungry to get back to work.
They began the match unsettled – lacking focus and exchanging some physical play with the hosts from Ahuntsic. The Cavaliers struggled to generate any clear chances in the offensive third of the field. In the 40th minute the home team managed to capitalize on a mental lapse by the Cavaliers. Ahuntsic lofted the ball deep to the back post on a free kick where it was met unmarked by a player who headed the ball back across into the Cavaliers goal for a 1-0 lead.
The Cavaliers’ coaching staff shared some select words with the team at the half and stressed on certain adjustments that needed to be made and better focus on their part. The players needed some time to settle in, but found their rhythm in the 2nd half. Their hard-work began to pay off with some chances being generated at the Ahuntsic goal. The Cavaliers finally broke through after a foul just outside the 18 yard box, veteran Julio Moncada curled in a free-kick to tie the game at 1-1 in the 65th minute.
As the game progressed the Cavaliers made some substitutions, bringing in some fresh legs. They pressed on and continued to put Ahuntsic on their heels. The Cavaliers’ fresh legs and persistence finally paid off late in the game and with only 4 minutes to go, rookie Mike Romito swung in a second consecutive free-kick into the opposition’s 18 yard box. As Cavaliers players rushed the goal they forced an Ahuntsic defender to clear a ball while facing his own goalkeeper, resulting in an own goal and a 2-1 lead for the visiting Cavaliers. With 6 rookies on the field in the final minutes they managed to impressively close out the game and help earn the team’s first victory of the season, with a character comeback performance in the 2nd half.
The Cavaliers “Hard-worker” of the game was Nicolas Houle with his physical and spirited performance throughout the game. The Cavaliers “Player of the Game” was Alexandre Garceau for his character play in the 2nd half that helped rally his team, put relentless pressure on the opposition and generate scoring chances.
The Cavaliers Men’s team travel next to Lionel-Groulx on Sunday September 14th at 3pm.
