M-SOCCER ROUNDUP: Laurier takes it to overtime to defeat Guelph
Zupo, who was the best player on the field for both teams and was named Queen's MVP, converted a Gaels corner in the 20th minute that fell into the box and was easily deposited by the rookie defender into a gaping Laurentian net.
The center back was also instrumental in the Gaels first goal of the match as his free kick caused havoc for the Voyageurs defenders and a loose ball was eventually put away by Eric Koskins of Richmond Hill, Ont.
Zupo was also a key member of a strong defensive effort by the Gaels that allowed just two shots in the second half and prevented Laurentian from tying the match after Issiaka Sidibe of Sudbury, Ont., pulled the Voyageurs to within one late in the first half.
Queen's secured the victory in the 88th minute when Michael Arnold of London, Ont., broke in alone and fired the ball into the bottom corner of the net past Voyageurs keeper David Szczepaniak of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
Maxfield Materne of Toronto, earned the win for Queen's as he made seven saves on the afternoon.
The win is the Gaels first in OUA playoff action since 2007 when they defeated Carleton to claim the OUA Bronze Medal.
The fourth year forward broke down the left side of the field and fired a shot that picked the top right corner of the net and beat Burlington, Ont. native Chad Paparoni.
“I’m happy any time we win,” said head coach Mario Halapir. “We made some tactical errors throughout the game, but the one thing I’m really pleased about is that we didn’t give up.”
To move the match into extra time, Ben Clifford of Milton, Ont. scored from just inside the top of the 18-yard box in the 89th minute off a Christopher Walker throw in. The fifth year team captain fired the shot with his left foot between two defenders and past a frozen netminder.
“We knew it was going to be a battle today and Guelph scored an early goal,” said Clifford following the match. “The guys showed a lot of heart, with non-stop battling and getting the late goal.”
The Gryphons got on the scoreboard early in the first half when their leading scorer Robbie Murphy of Ottawa, Ont. shot the ball over Laurier netminder Martyn Hooker of Brantford, Ont. and the wind knocked it down and into the net.
The Golden Hawks outshot the visitors 17-8 with Donald Chmura of Waterloo, Ont. leading all players with four shots.
The Warriors controlled much of the game but were on the wrong end of some unfortunate calls and were eliminated from the playoffs under the lights at Ron Joyce Stadium in Hamilton.
After narrowly making the post-season, the Warriors expected to make some noise in the OUA west playoff picture but were halted as McMaster scored the winning goal off of a free kick in the 80th minute.
Waterloo opened the scoring late in the first half (40th minute) as rookie midfielder Arman Grewal (Mississauga, Ont.) notched his second of the season to put the Warriors up 1-0. McMaster responded as defender Anthony Costa (Stoney Creek, Ont.) evened the score in the 58th minute of the second half.
The winning goal would come off the foot of Aaron Boothe (Whitby, Ont.) who made no mistake on the free kick as the Marauders would move ahead and not look back sealing a 2-1 victory.
Waterloo netminder Rob McMillian (Newburgh, Ont.) was spectacular in the loss making nine big stops throughout the game in the losing effort. Marauder keeper Matt Grant (Brampton, Ont.) stopped eight of nine shots faced to pick up the win.