Golden Hawks stun 'Stangs 3-2 in OUA quarterfinal

Tonight marked an early season wrap for the Western Mustangs men’s soccer team at TD Waterhouse Stadium.

The home team was ousted from the OUA playoff field in shock tonight as close rivals Laurier Golden Hawks took the quarterfinal game 3-2 in a last minute decision. Laurier’s Robert Kardaras scored on a penalty kick in the final minute of the game to propel the Golden Hawks to the OUA semi-final on Sunday.

The Golden Hawks played the majority of the second half down a player after midfielder Don Chumura received a red card 12 minutes in. Following an intense backlash from the rest of the Golden Hawks squad for the tripping and unsportsmanlike call, play continued 11 on 10 in favour of the Mustangs.

The teams started at an even pace and shared ball possession in both ends. Western took back-to-back corner kicks four minutes in, just missing a deflection opportunity on the second attempt. Mustang Luke Todd followed up with an impressive run down the entire left wing, but his lone play was called offside before he could make a centering pass.

Thirty minutes in, Laurier forward Alejandro Diaz found the back of the Mustang net off an unanticipated pass, avoiding a defensive slide right in front of him. Diaz almost repeated the same play several moments later but just missed the left post on an accurate set up from the Laurier front line.

Approaching the final minutes of the first half, Western’s Eric Amato scored off a lengthy free kick, as the Laurier screen distracted the team’s own keeper Brett Harrington as well.

Pat Mroczek played right to the first half buzzer and got a shot through Harrington in the final minute, but the lucky Golden Hawk defense caught the ball before it trickled past the scoring line. The first half drew 1-1.

In the second, Chumura’s red card decision swung the momentum to the Mustangs. The half started with a two on one break for Western but Mroczek tripped and couldn’t deliver the play.

Dominic Bell followed up with an acrobatic bicycle kick off a Laurier corner and beat Harrington 18 minutes into the half. Western looked to secure the 2-1 lead and played conservative, keeping the ball in the neutral zone.

With 2:50 remaining, Golden Hawk Sean Malizia scored off a non-threatening play as Skoko jumped out and missed a loose ball. Western responded with a final chance but went offside at the Laurier eighteen.

The Golden Hawks captured the game’s final moments with Kardaras’ successful penalty kick after he was purposely tripped on a previous chance. Both teams finished with even shots, but Western could not capitalize on more corner kick opportunities to take the game. The Mustangs leave home field with an upset, but will undoubtedly return strong next September as mostly rookies and second year players composed this season’s team.

Laurier will now play York Lions in the OUA semi-final on Sunday, October 28 at 3:15pm. The Guelph Gryphons and McMaster Marauders play the second semi-final in Hamilton at 4:00pm the same day.

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