Banner Season: Third time's the charm for Ravens, who capture OUA title over host Lions
Toronto, Ont. (via York Lions) - The Carleton Ravens men’s soccer team won the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championship on Saturday evening with a 3-0 victory over the host York Lions at Alumni Field.
Third time was the charm for the Ravens as they finally won their first Blackwood Cup since 2005 following two straight defeats to the Lions in the OUA gold-medal game. The silver medal for the Lions marked the 10th straight year they have reached the conference podium. The loss also ended York’s 52-match unbeaten streak against OUA opponents dating back to the start of the 2017 season.
Earlier in the day, the Guelph Gryphons won the bronze medal with a 1-0 victory over the Toronto Varsity Blues. Peter Zehdee picked up the lone goal in the 39th minute, dribbling through the Blues defence and firing a bullet past OUA East second-team all-star Sebastian Sgarbossa. The Gryphons picked up their first medal in three years after capturing gold in 2016.
In the OUA final, the Ravens came out firing in the opening half, putting up eight shots compared to the Lions four – two of which accounted for crucial goals for the visitors. In the 24th minute, the Ravens were awarded a penalty after forward Gabriel Bitar was fouled in the 18-yard box on a dangerous attempt. Ravens leading scorer Stefan Karajovanovic stepped up to the spot and buried the penalty kick, putting his side up 1-0.
Four minutes later, Quinn Honeyman-Wootten connected on a corner kick delivered by Emad Houache, stunning the defending champion Lions and giving the Ravens a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
In the second frame York upped the ante, taking 11 shots to challenge for the lead. Ultimately, Carleton quelled their foes with their third goal, and Karajonovic’s second, off another corner kick giving the Ravens their long sought after gold medal.
Both the Lions and Ravens aren’t done yet as they will now head to the U SPORTS championships, which will take place at the Universite de Montreal next week.
