KINGSTON, Ont. - The Queen's Gaels men's soccer team lost 5-2 in extra time against the McMaster Marauders in the OUA semi-finals on November 3 in Vaughan, Ont. The Gaels came into the tournament as the first place team in the OUA East Division and McMaster was second in the OUA West to the previously-undefeated York Lions.
The Gaels got on the board first in the 20th minute on a gorgeous goal by Nathan Klemencic (Trenton, Ont.), who fired a shot from well outside the box that sailed over the head of McMaster goalkeeper Angelo Cavalluzzo (Hamilton, Ont.). Klemencic celebrated the goal with an impressive back flip at centre field.
The Marauders responded in the 42nd minute on a goal by Paterson Farrell (Oakville, Ont.). Ryan Garnett (Kitchener, Ont.) took the initial shot that Queen's goalkeeper Dylan Maxwell (Vancouver) stopped at the top of the box, but the big rebound went straight to Farrell and he fired it into the back of the net.
The score remained 1-1 at the half.
Queen's took its second lead of the game in the 67th minute on a penalty kick goal by Joe Zupo (Toronto), but again McMaster responded, this time in the 78th minute on a goal by Gersi Xhuti (Etobicoke, Ont.) that was assisted by Nicholas Vecchi (Niagara Falls, Ont.). Xhuti also celebrated his marker with an impressive front flip.
Neither team was able to find the winning goal before time expired, sending the contest into extra time.
The Marauders dominated the final 30 minutes of the game. They took the lead in the 95th minute on a goal by Dan Niksic, and then took advantage of the Gaels trying to pressure offensively by scoring two more against little defence. Muntazir Fadhel (Richmond Hill, Ont.) netted an unassisted goal in the 110th minute, and Mark Reilly (Hamilton, Ont.) followed suit three minutes later with an assist to Xhuti.
Gaels goalie Dylan Maxwell made 6 saves of the 11 shots fired at him.
The Marauders will go on to play Carleton in the OUA Championship November 4 at 2:00 p.m. at McNaughton Park. The Gaels will fight for bronze on November 4 at 11:00 a.m. at McNaughton Park against York.
with files from York University Sports Information
