MSOC | Voyageurs Pick up Result on the Road in North Bay

After a strong road trip last weekend in Kingston, the Laurentian Voyageurs Men's Soccer team began their third weekend of the season with a trip down Highway 17 to North Bay, facing off against the Nipissing Lakers in game two of the Riley Gallo Cup.

As the game began, both teams struggled to find any sights at goal in the first half hour as neither side seemed to have that cutting edge on the offensive end. Then, a beautiful passing move that began and ended with Voyageurs midfielder Joseph Martins, gave Laurentian a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute. A few small chances came the way of each team but the Voyageurs goal ended up being the only one of the first half giving Laurentian a half time lead.

In the second half Laurentian was awarded an early free kick on the left hand side of the Lakers 18-yard box. Voyageurs midfielder Daniel Alexa stood over it and whipped a dangerous ball into the box that seemed to have eyes as it rolled through the Nipissing goalkeeper. Moments into the second half, it was 2-0 Voyageurs.

As the game wore on, the home team began to ramp up pressure and in the 68th minute a cross in from the Lakers right hand side found its way onto the head of forward Caelen Walraven who was able to cut the lead to 2-1. Then, just ten minutes later, a loose ball was pounced upon by Josiah Estephane, who was able to get it past Laurentian keeper, Lucas Cidade, to tie the game at 2-2.

With time winding down, one final chance fell the way of Diego Molina Chaves as an outstanding passing move between he and Jaiden Santo was steered aside by the Nipissing keeper and, as the final whistle blew, the game ended in a deadlock at 2-2.

Laurentian will wrap up the Riley Gallo Cup Sunday at home as they cap off their home and home weekend with the Lakers with kick-off set for 1pm at The Rock.

- Andrew Lemieux