Paulo Kastrup
SPORTS WRITER


The Lancers Women Soccer team is still looking for its first win after another tough weekend. They lost Saturday to Guelph, 2-0, and fell short Sunday against York, 3-1.

Sunday’s game against York University was by far the Lancers toughest loss of the weekend.
“I think York has the best team on our league,” coach Angelo Verardi said.

After 20 minutes of a tight battle, York started to control the match. A beautiful overlapping pass executed by the Lions’ Rita Keimakh found teammate Shannon Wood right in front of the post. Wood scored the game’s first goal in the 26th minute of the first half.

Keimakh kept on creating opportunities for her teammates and York maintained the upper hand. A Keimakh corner kick was by found Elaine Kereakou, who scored the Lions’ second goal in the 41st minute.

Coach Verardi made some substitutions for the second half and the game evened up. Keimakh was literally hunted in the field by Lancer Bridget Jeffray resulting in York unable to create plays. With the Lancers gaining the upper hand, Gadeer Sobh started creating plays for her teammates.

Keimakh was substituted after suffering a wrist injury in the 71st minute of the game. The Lancers added pressure against the Lions’ defense, but were unable to finish Gadeer’s plays.

Gadeer went on to score the Lancers’ lone goal in the 72nd minute-mark of the game on a penalty shot. The Lions’ Colleen Beesley replied in the 90th minute, sealing the fate of the match.

“I was happy with the substitutions and half time talk,” Verardi said. “The girls stepped into the game with a different attitude playing much better in the second half. It is good to know that we can count on our subs to make fresh starts during the game.”

Saturday, Windsor fought a good battle but could not create opportunities to score goals in its loss to Guelph.

“It was one of these days in which our girls really did not play well,” coach Verardi said.

Name of the Match

York’s Rita Keimakh, reminiscent of Brazilian national star Marta, gets the award. Keimakh is a very intelligent, fast, skillful midfielder capable of finding the plays before anyone else in the field. She was responsible for the two first goals York scored.

Coach Verardi saw that and neutralized her after York’s second goal, changing the game completely. Without Rita’s passes, the Lions lost their soul. Unfortunately for the Lancers, the change was just a bit too late.