Stingers 1, Gaiters 0: Vermaire’s penalty gives Concordia the win over Bishop’s
Rachel Vermaire’s penalty kick gave the Stingers the only goal they needed
The Concordia University Stingers women’s soccer team faced early pressure from the Bishop's University Gaiters, but held their ground as both teams struggled to create clear scoring opportunities.
Bishop's dictated much of the play early in the game but quickly met strong resistance from the Stingers, who made sure the game remained scoreless.
Concordia began to create more chances as the first half progressed; however, the game came to a stalemate, with both teams defending well as they dragged their feet to the benches scoreless at halftime.
At the start of the second half, Concordia seemed to have found a second wind as they became the more dominant team, creating more scoring opportunities until their break finally came.
After a great run into the box, a Bishop's player fouled Stingers' forward Ashley Burdick, leading the referee to award Concordia a penalty kick. That’s when Rachel Vermaire scored the first goal of the game, giving the Stingers a 1-0 lead.
“Ashley set me up for the shot,” Vermaire said. “She had a great run, driving into the box and got us the foul.”
Bishop's continued to push after conceding the goal, creating a few potential openings, but Concordia kept its advantage throughout the game.
Juliana Faustini, a key player in Concordia’s game-making, said that the team recognized at halftime that it needed to change its approach.
“I was just doing my job, and I created chances for the team, and my teammates were ready for it, so we won the game,” Faustini said.
After the final whistle, the Stingers gathered to celebrate together.
For Vermaire, the team’s communication helped them regain control after the first half.
“Just like communication within our team, and some energy brought from the coaches and then the girls on the bench to focus back on our game, play to the level we know we can play,” Vermaire said.
Stingers women's soccer head coach Wilfried Monthe said the team needed to simplify its play and put more pressure on Bishop’s defenders.
“The idea was trying to drive the ball to the net,” Monthe said. “You have to go make the defender work on the backside, and it actually worked. That’s how we got the penalty kick.”
The victory was important for Concordia as the team entered the second half of its season looking to move up the standings.
Monthe, however, does not intend for them to stop there.
“We don’t just want to make the playoffs,” Monthe said. “We want to have a good season and finish in the highest ranking possible.”
Concordia travels to the Université de Sherbrooke to take on the Vert et Or on Friday, Oct. 16. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m.
