SHERIDAN 1, CONESTOGA 1

KITCHENER, Ont. - They had a sizeable advantage in the number of scoring opportunities generated, but the Sheridan Bruins men's soccer team (1-2-2 OCAA) lacked the necessary touch in the attacking third to finish and it proved costly as an 83rd minute equalizer from the penalty spot pulled Conestoga level for a 1-1 draw.

"It was a good game again, probably one of our better performances this year," head coach Andrew Seuradage said. "We had several chances to score - breakaways, free kicks, corner kicks - and couldn't capitalize enough and then they come down and get a penalty shot and score. I don't know what else to say, but we've just got to finish. That's the bottom line."

It seemed like a near carbon copy of their games against Mohawk and St. Clair, except this time it was the Bruins who dodged early bullets and then were able to stake themselves to an early 1-0 lead.

In the 24th minute Jonathan Rufino received the ball on the right wing and crossed it into the middle of the box where Jonathan Costa re-directed into the goal with his first touch.

The Double-Blue continued to press forward looking for another goal before the first half whistle, but were unable to find one.

In the second half, Sheridan had Conestoga on their heels for the majority and had scoring chances from multiple angles - corner kicks, free kicks outside the area - but none better than the one Kelechi Ebuta had in the 65th minute.

Ebuta received a long ball and got in behind the Conestoga defence and put himself in a one-on-one battle against the keeper.

He dribbled his way around and had a wide open net but was not definitive enough in his strike from inside the six-yard box and a defender was able to run back and clear it off the line.

Sheridan continued to apply pressure - and even hit the crossbar at one point - but could not record another goal.

In the 83rd minute, Conestoga was awarded a penalty and they converted.

With only one day off before they host Redeemer (September 29, 5 p.m.) during Sheridan Homecoming, Seuradge was very direct in his assessment of his team's ability to finish their attacks.

"It's just a mental thing," he said. "It feels like they're passing at the wrong time and shooting at the wrong time. They all want to pass the ball when it's time to shoot and don't want to pass when the situation calls for it. It's ridiculous and doesn't make any sense to me."

Source: Sheridan I.T.