ConU Can’t Finish

Stingers Miss Opportunities Despite Dominating Possession

SportsKevin Duarte — Published October 25, 2011

Concordia’s women’s soccer team played to a scoreless draw against the Université du Québec à Montréal Citadins last Friday at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex. The Stingers dominated possession throughout the entire match, but couldn’t seem to finish their chances.

Defensively, Con U played with discipline. The defence held their line and shrugged off incoming UQAM long balls. Though the occasional one got through, goalkeeper Brittany O’Rourke had no trouble turning aside the floating shots from outside the penalty area.

The first half provided few chances for both sides. The deadlock was nearly broken in the 29th minute, when the Stingers failed to capitalize on two scoring chances. The best chance came from a run by Stingers striker Jennifer Duff, creating a partial breakaway in which Duff was taken down just outside the 18-yard box.

The referee waved play on, despite protest from the Stingers bench. UQAM could not completely clear their zone, as Stinger Melissa White-Kendro intercepted a pass and went on a run herself. Fending off an opposing defender, White-Kendro’s powerful shot forced UQAM keeper Constance Laroche-Lefebvre to make a terrific save.

“When we had an opportunity to finish, we didn’t and that’s what hurt us,” Stingers head coach Jorge Sanchez

By the time the second half came around, UQAM nearly broke the deadlock. This came five minutes in, when a dangerous low cross rolled untouched through ConU’s goal area.

At this point, both teams seemed to open up in search of the go-ahead goal. The game intensified, as Concordia collected four yellow cards, and UQAM two.

Towards the end of the game, each side had its chances, but neither was able to solve the opposing defense.

“When we had an opportunity to finish, we didn’t, and that’s what hurt us,” said Stingers head coach Jorge Sanchez, reflecting back on the game.

Yet Sanchez was satisfied with his team’s effort.

“Overall, I think the girls played fine,” Sanchez said. “It was just a matter of not being able to put the ball in the back of the net when we had the chance, and that’s been the problem all year.”

The Stingers close out their season with a couple of games next weekend. They’ll head to Sherbrooke to take on the Vert et Or on Oct. 28 before returning home to face the McGill Martlets Oct. 30. Games start at 6:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively.