Women’s Soccer: Another Setback

Stingers Drop 2-1 Game to McGill Martlets, Now 11 Points Out of Final Playoff Spot

The Concordia Stingers dropped their second game of the season against the McGill Martlets on Friday, Oct. 16, losing 2-1. Archive Evgenia Choros

McGill vs. Concordia is a fixture that always seems to be something more than just another league match, it’s one neither team wants to lose. Despite the Martlets being clear-cut favourites going into the game, Stingers head coach, Jorge Sanchez, was adamant for a win at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium this past Friday night.

“I’m always looking for an upset.” said Sanchez. “The reality is you approach the game with a game plan that gives you the best chance and then it’s up to the players to step on the field and execute.”

Unfortunately for the Concordia Stingers, they dropped their second game of the season against the Martlets, this time by a 2-1 score.

Sanchez claimed his Stingers team wasn’t the same one that lost 4-0 at the hands of McGill at the beginning of the season, and rightfully so, as the Martlets succumbed to
Concordia’s pressing early on in the first half, playing risky, executing debatable passes.

“We started well,” said Sanchez. “I think we should’ve had two goals.”

The Stingers would rue their missed opportunities mid-way through the first half, as McGill grabbed the lead thanks to a goal from of Martlets striker, Audrey-Ann Coughlan.

Later in the first half, Concordia forward Laura Lamontagne would tie the game after chipping the ball over the Martlets keeper, sending both teams tied at one goal apiece at halftime.

In the second half however, despite Concordia’s efforts, Coughlan would strike again for the Martlets, scoring a goal after receiving a low cross in the penalty area. It was her second goal of the game and, more importantly, the game winning goal, extending McGill’s winning streak to four games.

“I definitely think we deserved more, I mean we did well,” said Stingers captain Alyssa Ruscio. “Our effort was definitely there, and we were dangerous too.”

“I mean we weren’t able to score the goals that mattered and in the end that’s what happens, they ended up winning,” said Stinger center-back, Elisa Spadafino. “We put in the effort and it just sucks that it didn’t come out the way we wanted to.” she added.

The Stingers have now fallen from fifth to sixth place in their conference and are now 11 points out of the fourth and final playoff spot with five games left to play. Concordia will play their next game on Sunday afternoon against the UQTR Patriotes at Concordia Stadium.