KAMLOOPS, B.C. - After hitting their stride over the past two weeks, the Marauders looked to secure their seventh consecutive win of the season at the U SPORTS Men's Soccer Championship, presented by RBC against some tough competition in the host TRU Wolfpack.
In a game that needed a shootout to decide a winner, the Wolfpack edged the Marauders 5-4 to advance to the semi-final.
Neither team came out of the gates quickly and took some time to warm-up in sub zero conditions. After a back and forth battle to start the game, it was the Marauders who got on the scoreboard first. In the 27th minute of play, McMaster was awarded a free kick 20 yards out from the TRU net and veteran goal scorer,
Miles Green (Toronto, Ont.) made no mistake, striking the ball perfectly to bear the Wolfpack's goalkeeper and go up 1-0.
With the home crowd on their side, the hosts responded putting six shots on net in the final 18 minutes of the half. The Wolfpack had a free kick of their own from midfield and, after driving the ball into the box, Jan Pirretas Glasmacher evened the scoreline just minutes before the halftime whistle. TRU recorded eight shots in the first half while the Marauders managed just two.
After returning to the field, the two teams were balanced in possession but, once again, the Wolfpack dominated the shots category putting an impressive 10 shots at goal. The Marauders' rookie goalkeeper, Ethan Cagalj (Stoney Creek, Ont.) was up to the task, ensuring not one found the back of the net but needed assistance from veteran defender, Ahmad Mansour (Waterdown, Ont.), on a goal line clearance. In the 80th minute, TRU had the best opportunity to take the lead but hit the crossbar. At the end of the full 90 minutes, the game was still deadlocked at 1-1.
The Marauders and Wolfpack had clear opportunities to get the go ahead goal in the additional 30 minutes of play but none beat the two goalkeepers, sending this game to a shootout where TRU keeper,Jackson Gardner, made a key stop to send the fans at Hilltop Stadium into a frenzy.
TRU outshot McMaster 25-7 throughout the 120 minutes of play.
Miles Green and Jordan Baker (Hamilton, Ont.) combined for five of the Marauders' shots. Ethan Cagalj made fourteen saves for the maroon and grey.
Next Up
The quarterfinal loss now pushes the Marauders into the consolation bracket where they'll face either the CBU Capers or UQTR Patriotes at 1:30 pm PT Friday with a spot in Saturday's fifth-place game on the line.
