Mustangs tie Lions at TD Waterhouse

The Western Mustangs were back where they belong this evening, under the bright lights of TD Waterhouse stadium as they played the York Lions and came away with a 1-1 draw.

Entering tonight’s game the Mustangs were looking at a challenge. Thus far York had been undefeated and they have scored twenty goals and allowed only four.

Western’s Dominic Bell and Pat Mroczek are among the top twenty scorers in the league, but weren’t allowed much of an opportunity to demonstrate their prowess last night.

Rookie Stevie Ray Reid stepped up in lieu of absentee Captain Andrew Walton. Reid played a solid game making smart split-second decisions and he even embarked on a run up the right wing to assist Dominic Bell in an unsuccessful attempt at a goal.

Another standout was Matt Elias. For a smaller player, Matt Elias compensated with fiery determination. When he kicked a ball it sailed from his right foot as if it was charged by a pocket battery. He did some crafty work in the corners, but up against York, the number one team in the pool, his efforts were in vain.

Transfer player Dan Cameira served a purpose as playmaker, flicking ball after ball into the York half, serving as the catalyst for Western goal attempts.

York’s assistant coach was kicked out of the game at 33 minutes.

It was a fast-paced game with a lot of communication that could be heard as high as the media box. Suffice to say, the vernacular was colorful, and the tenacity unmatched by any previous Western game this season.

York scored their first goal at 36 minutes. From that point forward York kept the pressure in the Western half, weaving around the Mustangs, which automatically demanded excellence of goalkeeper, Ivan Skoko. At one point Skoko reached his arms above the goal and at six foot four this was an easy feat. He jumped not once, but a second time for the catch, answering York’s pressure on the Western net with a shutdown. “It’s his year, he’s got terrific range, great hands, and it is his time to shine”, said Goalkeeper coach Gary Gorham.

At the end of the first half York led 1-0.

In an exciting turn of events, Western’s Dan Cameira scored the first goal at 52 minutes. Western and York tied at 1-1.

Thirty-five minutes in, the referee warned York player Charlie Trafford, but no cards were given. York began dominating and the Mustangs used Matt Elias' experience on the defensive side.

Rookie Christian Douglas was unable to break through the Lions defense suggesting that perhaps he’d finally met his match. If there is a rematch that will be one duel to watch, Douglas versus York’s defense. Douglas will certainly play with a vengeance next time.

York player, Arthur Casupanan received a yellow card at 73 minutes.

The last twenty minutes were played in the rain. With the addition of another element, the rain made an already tough game even more complex. Western fared incredibly well, especially because they were up against the first place team in their pool. The game was exciting and the crowd morale remained high.

The next home game for the Mustangs Men's Soccer team is Sunday September 23rd where they will play the Guelph Gryphons at 3:15pm.

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