Men's Soccer Rolls on With Big Win

Champlain Cavaliers > Cavaliers News > Men's Soccer Rolls on With Big Win

The Cavaliers Men’s Soccer team were back at it again completing a demanding stretch of 4 games in 7 days. After winning on the road in Quebec City the Cavaliers were home at Seaway Park under some gale force winds. They were hosting Dawson College Blues and looking build on their 1st place position in RSEQ standings.

Champlain started strong and played a high tempo game. They nearly opened the scoring early when veteran Charles Carrier-Cote  connected on a onetime shot inside the box only to see his chance skip just wide of the goal. The Cavaliers didn’t let up and kept pressing forward looking to open the scoring. Later in the half substitute Nicolas Houle nearly broke the ice with a screamer that tested Dawson’s goalkeeper who made a point blank save. As halftime approached veteran defender Ilyes Ait Slimane drove in a  free-kick from close to the half-line that got carried by the heavy winds and curled its’ way deep and into the far post of the visitors goal to break the deadlock.

Champlain made some changes at the half and brought in some fresh bodies to maintain their pace of play. The winds slightly calmed down but the Cavaliers kept pushing down the field generating more opportunities at goal. Their efforts were rewarded in the 71st minute of play after a series of shots, saves, and rebounds. Rookie midfielder Charles DeSantis pounced on a loose ball just outside the box and chipped it back in, Houle took down the ball and fired a quick shot that was parried by the Dawson keeper only to be quickly knocked into the goal by Houle for the 2-0 lead. Champlain defended well throughout the game and closed out things out with a solid team effort for the big win.

The “Hard-Hat” Hardworker of the Game was veteran Olivier Marchand who contributed a stellar performance at right back; intercepting several through ball opportunities and lively play going forward.

The “Player of the Game” was veteran defender Ilyes Ait Slimane who steadied his team’s backline and was a force throughout the game. His 1-on1 defending was near perfect and his 1st goal of the season was a memorable game winner.

The Cavaliers take a short break for Thanksgiving and return to the field next week in preparation for their last 2 games of the regular season. They host Garneau on Friday October 17th at 9:00 PM at Seaway Park and then finish off their regular season against Vanier College on Sunday, October 19th at Seaway Park with a 6:00 PM kickoff.