On Wednesday, September 13, the UTM women’s soccer team had their second game of the season against the George Brown Huskies. UTM faced George Brown four times in the outdoor season over the past two years and has yet to beat them. Their fifth time facing them was no different with the women losing a heartbreaking 2-1.
UTM started off slow during the first half with George Brown gaining control for the first 20 minutes. The game was filled with aggression, which forced lead captain, Christina Rico, to receive a yellow card early in the game. Midway through the first half, UTM gained possession of the game and began playing with high intensity. They were penetrating the back line and frustrating the George Brown defenders. Despite several attempts, UTM could not put one in the back of the net and the whistle blew, ending the first half.
At halftime, the girls were full of energy and encouraging one another to continue playing the way they did when they ended the half. The second half started off strong once again for UTM. They were calm and working very well as a unit. Unfortunately, George Brown broke through UTM’s line of defense in the 57th minute and scored off a deflection that was caused by a collision at the top of the 18-yard box. George Brown was now leading the game 1-0.
Despite this minor setback, UTM was relentless and scored 12 minutes later at the 69th minute mark. Defender Jayde Forde, scored off a low and hard free kick that deflected off a George Brown player. And so, the score was once again tied at 1-1. Both teams were battling back and forth with UTM still having majority of the possession of the ball. However, a defensive breakdown lead to a second goal by George Brown in the 80th minute leaving George Brown to take the game 2-1.
UTM outshot George Brown 20-7 with 15 of their shots on target. Although they did not get the result they hoped for, the players are keeping their heads high and staying positive by continuing to work hard at both games and practices.
