The second week of the U Sports fall season is in the books, and the Ryerson Rams men’s teams were full action. Although game play has not begun on the ice; the diamond, pitch and the trail. Baseball was the busiest men’s team this weekend, but the soccer and cross country teams also had packed weekends.
Soccer
The Ram’s men’s soccer team had a very familiar weekend, although in a different location. In week one of OUA regular season action they visited kingston to take on the Queen’s Gaels and Royal Military College Paladins. In week two, the script was flipped, with the Rams hosting both Kingston sides in their home opening weekend at Downsview Park. Week two went even better than week one, not only did the rams again win both games- but they did so in stingy defensive fashion, shutting out both sides over the two games.
The first match of the weekend was a tight affair, with both sides tied up in the midfield for the majority of the day. It was not until the 51st minute was the deadlock broken, when substitute Muaz Saleh cashed in on a breakaway chance to give the Rams the go-ahead, and winning goal.
The offense was extremely quiet throughout the game for the Rams, but with their one goal and outstanding defensive performance they were able to hold on for the victory and their third win of the season.
Following the match, Ryerson head coach Flilip Prostan praised his goaltender Ali Ghazanfari, saying “Most goalies at this level don’t make that save.”
Although the Queens game was a tightly contested affair, the second match against the Paladins was not of the same nature.
In the second game the Ram’s also won, but the contest was never in doubt; with Ryerson being on the front foot right from kickoff. A missing piece for the Ram’s against RMC was saturdays goalscorer Saleh, who was suspended due to yellow card accumulation- although his presence was not sorely missed as the blue and gold continued to dominate the Paladins. Ryerson’s first goal came in the 17th minute and they never looked back, cruising to a 2-0 victory and a season record of 4-0.
“I like the way we played, we have a good group here and we will have a good season” said Ram’s midfielder Cristopher Castillo, who is experiencing his second OUA campaign.
The Rams now sit atop the OUA East standings, with matches against Trent University and Ontario Tech on the horizon.
Baseball
Think two games in a weekend is busy? Well, try four- thats how many games the Ryerson baseball team played this weekend. Although that number is a normality throughout U Sports, four games in one weekend is an amount non-traditional for many of the newer players on the team.
Ryerson traveled north to take on the two schools in Ottawa, facing off against Carleton and the University of Ottawa, and brought home a trio of wins and a single loss.
The Ram’s took on the Ravens of Carleton University on Saturday as their first opponent, and handled them with ease in game one with a 10-1 win. The second game against the Ravens was a different story though, with Carelton prying a victory back into their claws- splitting the two games set with one game each.
On Sunday, it was the University of Ottawa Gee-Gee’s who would fall at the hooves of the rams, surrendering a pair of games to end their weekend on a low note. Losses of 8-2 and 5-2 spelled the death of the Gee-Gee’s on the weekend and sent them tumbling down the OUA baseball standings.
Although the Ram’s weekend can be considered a success, coming back home with three of four wins- it cannot be forgotten that both ottawa programs are new to the IUA conference, and are therefore weaker than many of the other OUA sides.
Nonetheless, the trio of victories are morale boosting and set up the Ram’s for a successful continuation of the OUA season. A common saying in sports is “play the opponent presented to you.” this was of relevance for the Rams this weekend, they were given to lesser teams- and took advantage of them. Job done. Move on.
The Rams baseball team is back in action midweek, taking on York University at home on Wednesday.
Cross Country and Hockey
The cross country team held their open tryouts on Sunday, and that roster is likely to be announced later this week. The marquee men’s hockey team is in deep with their preseason training, playing their first exhibition game on Friday against Ontario Tech.
That’s all for the Ryerson Rams men’s sports roundup for this week! Don’t forget to check in next week for more mens sports, and tomorrow for a recap of all the women’s sports in the Ramily.