Scheduling mix-up leads to a fierce clash between UTSG’s Red and Blue     
Women’s UTSG Red comfortably beat Blue, while the men’s counterparts managed to eke out a draw.

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On September 27, the Eagles—the University of Toronto Mississauga’s soccer team—prepared to face off against the University of Toronto’s St. George (UTSG) Reds at the Varsity Field. Or, at least they were supposed to, according to the schedule on the official website, but unknown to many, the schedule was altered a week before the season began. The schedule online was not updated. Instead, both the women’s and men’s UTSG soccer teams—Reds and Blues—took place that same day. The women’s match started first, at 12 p.m., followed by the men’s at 2:15 p.m.

Reds: two in two minutes

Both women’s teams were equally matched throughout the opening minutes of the game, but the Blues saw more opportunities to score. As the game went on, the intensity ramped up and the Blues continued to have their efforts hampered by the Reds’ seemingly impenetrable defense. 

Just when it seemed like the first half would go goalless, the Reds were rewarded a corner kick and managed to score: #19 Anna Li at the 42nd minute mark. Down a goal, the Blues were forced to intensify their offense, opening up the game a lot more. This only bit them in the back, when the Reds were awarded another corner and scored again at the 44th minute, shot by #25 Justina Snow. 

A zealous second half

During the second half the Blues were down by two goals but did not seem demoralized and continued their frantic offense. The beginning of the second half took place mostly on the Reds’ side of the pitch: the Blues relentlessly attacked but were unable to put the ball in the net. The Reds eventually managed to retake some possession and assume their offensive tactics, although their attempts on goal were either blocked by the goalkeeper or ended up coasting over the top of the goal posts. 

Both teams tried over and over again to score: the Blues desperately chasing their two equalizers and the Reds attempting to further their lead. Ultimately, the second half went scoreless; the referee blew his whistle and the game came to an end. Many of the fans in the stands were disappointed: they evidently were Blues supporters, but the few happy Reds’ fans cheered on when the team approached the stands. 

Charlotte Burgess, captain of the Blues, stated that they “battled well,” despite their loss. “They really got us on the corners,” she added with a resolution that they “will improve” and do better on the upcoming fixtures.

A three goal thriller

Following up were the men’s teams, both of which seemed riled up, eagerly huddled and chanted loud enough to be heard from the other side of the field. Right from kickoff, the Blues immediately attempted a long range shot that failed when the Reds intercepted the ball and were awarded a goal kick. 

The two teams traded possession back and forth during the opening minutes. In the 10th minute, the Reds scored by #5 Adam Coderniz. The goal helped the Reds pick up momentum and just a few minutes later, in the 18th minute, the Reds scored again, shot by #22 Jerry Duan, bringing the score to a 2-0. However, the goal seemed to be controversial among fans on the stands, for a number of them believed Duan to have been offside. But, no call was given by the referee which left the Blues’ fans a little frustrated.

The match seemed to be heading in the same direction as the women’s second half but the Blues were still determined to rip the script and catch up. At the 28th minute mark, the Blues were awarded a free kick, only for it to be deflected by the Reds’ defense. Just when it seemed hopeless, the Blues managed to score when #29 Julian Silvestry managed to secure a goal at the 31st minute mark. The Blues continued to attack and were awarded another free kick in the 44th minute—which was, once again, blocked.

The Blues look for a draw

Going into the second half, the Blues were down a goal but ready to chase down their equalizer, while the Reds tightened their defense and prepared to hold onto their lead. However, the Reds’ lead did not last long: in the 53rd minute, the Blues found their equalizer through Silvestry once again, when he bagged a brace for himself and his team. 

Following the Blues’ goal, both teams tried desperately to take the lead, growing an intensity in the match and causing both teams to receive yellow cards. The Blues were awarded a few more free kicks but, time and time again, the Reds defense foiled any goal attempts. Eventually the whistle blew and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Following the game’s conclusion, the Reds’ captain, Alex Picanco, let out his frustration at the result. “We played like crap… we could have done better,” he mentioned. He also added that the frustration seemed steeped in their last fixture, which also ended in a 2-2- draw. Picanco stated that the Reds’ focus will be “just winning” their upcoming matches and avoiding any more draws or losses.

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