For the first time this season, both the men’s and women’s Ryerson soccer teams won on the same day. The men’s team remains undefeated, while the women’s team captured its first victory of the season.
Both of Saturday’s matches at Monarch Park Stadium were tough tests for Ryerson. Playing Queen’s University meant both the men and the women had to play teams that were previously nationally ranked.
In the first game of the day, the Ryerson women’s team overcame its obstacles to earn a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory. A penalty just six minutes into the match and an own goal saw Ryerson down 2-1 in the 67th minute, but Alex Rodkin would play the hero as she scored in the 89th and 90th minutes to secure a late victory.
“We knew we were playing well, and we knew we had the potential to come back,” Rodkin said of the team’s mentality after going down 2-1. “We were all positive and still in the game.”
Nicole Paiva scored the other goal for Ryerson, a curler from outside the box in the eighth minute.
The men’s team required a victory in order to stay in first place in the Ontario University Athletics East Division.
After Queen’s went down to 10 men because of a red card in the 53rd minute, the Rams achieved that needed victory courtesy of Jamie Baker, whose 83rd minute header hit the underside of the bar before finding the back of the net.
The goal had added meaning for Baker, whose hard work comes after a major knee injury.
“Today was the first day I actually felt like I contributed on the field,” Baker said of his play. “It’s a big step for me.”
By Mitchell Tierney
This is a joint byline.
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