Two goals from third-year defender Kiera Kent lifted the Rams women’s soccer team to a 2-1 win over the Laurentian Voyageurs at Downsview Park on Sunday.
The Rams started the game aggressively, attacking the goal numerous times within the first 10 minutes.
Laurentian would respond with the same aggression but the Rams swarming defence was able to stop goal chances, with Kent sprinting down the field in the 11th minute to deflect a shot from a Voyageur attacker. Another Laurentian shot on goal came seven minutes later, this time hitting the crossbar.
Even with the substitution of second-year forward Skylar Sheehan-Alleyene the Rams still struggled offensively to the point where head coach Natalie Bukovec yelled from the sideline to some of the players that they had five minutes to figure out how to play better.
Bukovec said that she was trying to give her team more motivation to finish the half strong.
“This was a must win game for us in order to continue in the running,” said Bukovec. “We are in the mix of this game, they’re capable of doing it.”
In stoppage time the Rams would score their first goal, as second-year forward Jade Vyfhuis let the ball slip between her legs, confusing Laurentian’s defence. This allowed Kent to curl the ball in the top left corner of the net, sailing it past first-year Voyageur goalkeeper Noemie Bouchard for the 1-0 lead.
Kent said that initially she wasn’t going to shoot the ball but decided to go for it.
“The first goal opened up the game and gave confidence to the team to get it going,” said Kent.
The lead wouldn’t last long, as first-year Laurentian defender Charlie Frew put the ball past Rams fifth-year goalkeeper Elisa Lapadula four minutes into the second half, bringing the game to a 1-1 draw.
The Rams and Voyageurs would trade shot attempts to no effect until the 68th minute, when Vyfhuis found Kent off of the corner kick, giving her another goal in the game and the Rams the lead and eventual win.
Bukovec praised Kent for her versatility as a goal-scorer but as a defender as well.
“She’s a player that we are heavily dependent on this year,” said Bukovec. “I’d love to have the opportunity to play her higher up the field but she’s also so great at the back.”
Kent now leads the Rams in goals this season, with three. She scored her previous goal in the Rams’ 2-1 win over the Algoma Thunderbirds earlier this month.
The Rams also beat Laurentian on Friday, marking not just a weekend sweep, but also the first time the team has beaten an opponent in both of their season games.
With the season wrapping up, the team has turned its attention to the McMaster Marauders, who are in second place in the OUA central division. The Rams are fourth, and will need to win their last two games to have a shot at making it to the divisional round.
Bukovec has personal history with McMaster, having played there for five seasons as a student-athlete. She said with some players slated to return from injury in the middle of the week they will be able to put up a good fight against the Marauders.
McMaster will visit the women’s team at the Rams’ home at Downsview Park on Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled at 5 p.m.
Donald Higney was the Co-Sports Editor & Reporter of On The Record News for the Fall 2021 semester.
