Box Score The postseason is upon us as the McMaster Marauders hit the road tomorrow to take on the No. 3 nationally ranked Carleton Ravens in Ottawa.
After posting a 6-2-2 record, the Marauders finished second in the OUA Central division, five points behind divisional rivals, the Rams who got the better of the Marauders in the final game of the regular season. After a 2-2 draw on the road last Thursday, the two sides met again to close out the season, but the Rams came away with the victory 3-1.
The Marauders enter the playoffs as the No. 5 seed and are matched up against the fourth seeded Ravens. Carleton ended their regular season with a 7-1-2 record, second in the OUA East division. They've only recorded one loss on the year – they fell to the York Lions 2-0 at home.
The Marauders will be in tough on the road as the Ravens will look to defend their title after winning the Blackwood Cup (the OUA men's soccer trophy) in 2019 for the first time in 14 years. Meanwhile the Marauders will look to make the final four with their last appearance coming in 2017.
Details
#5 seed McMaster Marauders at #4 seed Carleton Ravens
Location: Ravens Perch
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 3rd @ 7pm
McMaster
Record: 6-2-2
Standings: 2nd OUA Central
Steak: Lost One
Carleton
Record: 7-1-1
Standings: 2nd OUA East
Streak: Won Two
Last Meeting
The Last time these two sides met was in the semi-final stage of the OUA championships in 2017, where the Ravens came away with a 3-0 victory. Five yellow cards were handed out in the game that witnessed 26 fouls from both sides. Despite the score, the Marauders were competitive throughout the match, with 11 shots (six on net) in comparison to the Ravens 15 shots (ten on net).
Players to Watch
McMaster
Dusan Kovacevic – Held off the scoresheet in the Marauders last three games, the OUA leader in goals (12) will look to carry his regular season form into the post season.
Tristan Joyce – Potential the key to a Marauders win on Wednesday, Joyce has recorded three shutouts on the season and will be called on again against the defending champions.
Carleton
Gabriel Bitar – 2017 OUA Most Valuable Player. Scored a pair of goals the last time these two teams met and has four goals to his name in seven games played.
Tareq Hamad – Has started in every game he's played in this season, leads the team in assists with four on the season.
