LONDON, Ont. - The Mustangs men's soccer team suffered their first defeat of the 2014 season this afternoon as the CIS No.2 York Lions downed the Mustangs 1-0 on Saturday afternoon at Mustangs Field.
"I thought our boys played really, really well today. The first half I thought that we sort of took control. Unfortunately we gave up that little goal at the end of the first half," said Mustangs head coach
Rock Basacco.
With Saturday's loss the Mustangs now hold a 4-1-1 record in the OUA West Division standings, while the Lions move to 4-0-1 on the season.
The Mustangs and the Lions are certainly no strangers on the field, and in the 2013 regular season the Mustangs met up with York twice, losing both matches. These past encounters certainly gave the Mustangs a reason to up their aggressiveness on the field this afternoon, and the play was pretty evenly matched throughout the first half. Despite being able to match the Lions offensive pressure, the Mustangs found themselves deep in their own end with the Lions in control of the ball late in the first half. Mustangs goaltender
Ben Cowman blocked a shot heading towards the bottom right corner of the net, and continued to make what seemed to be a save on the rebound. Unfortunately for the purple and white, the ball was already over the goal line putting the Lions onto the scoreboard with a 1-0 lead with the goal credited to Jarek Whiteman.
In the second half the Mustangs worked hard to pressure the Lions and tie things up. Competition between the two teams intensified as the final minutes wound down but despite a strong effort, the Mustangs were unable to put themselves on the scoreboard and the Lions walked away with the shutout victory.
"We are struggling a little bit in the attacking third trying to get that finish. Hopefully tomorrow we can create a little bit more in that attacking third and get some combination plays or crosses from the flank. Something that will give us a chance on goal," stated Basacco.
The Mustangs will be back in action Sunday afternoon as they go head-to-head against the Guelph Gryphons. Kick-off is set for 3:15 p.m.
