Tuesday, September 11

The Canaan boys lost their composure and the match against the Alexander Galt Pipers. This heated match featured five yellow cards and three red cards, including two ejections. From the opening whistle, the game was fast and physical. Both sides were quickly called for unnecessary shoving and late hits. The fouls called in the opening minutes were minimal in comparison to the action that took place as the game progressed.

After controlling the ball for a better portion of the first half, the Pipers struck first. Casey Simeon dribbled past the Canaan defense and poked the ball past the goalkeeper for the opening score. Despite having trouble moving the ball, the Eagles were able to find holes in the Piper defense. Midway through the first half, Tony Graves went streaking through the forwardly positioned defense and moved in for the equalizer. As he readied his shot, a Galt defender deliberately tackled Graves from behind. The takedown resulted in an a red-card and an automatic ejection for the defender, and a penalty shot for Canaan. Graves calmly drove the ball into the back of the net to tie the game 1-1. The score would hold until halftime, as both teams looked to cool off after a rough opening half.

Much to the chagrin of the referees, the physical play and unsportsmanlike conduct carried over and continued into the second half. The Pipers were carded several times for inappropriate language directed at both opposing players and referees. The Eagles, playing a man up, seemed to have the advantage as the half progressed. Unfortunately, the extra man advantage would be only temporary. After previously being carded for inappropriate language, Graves was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for charging Galt goalkeeper Eric Phendler. Gameplay steadied as both teams had to cope without one of their starters for the remainder of the game.

With less than five minutes remaining in regulation, it appeared this match was headed for overtime until the cards began to come out again. The unsportsmanlike conduct culminated when Canaan goalkeeper Jake Smith was red-carded and ejected for inappropriate language directed at an opposing player. The ejection forced midfielder Jason Charest into the goal. Playing man-down without their starting striker and goalie left the Canaan defense vulnerable.

Galt would net the game-winning goal minutes later on a blistering shot from Gabriel Ellison-Scoweroft that skipped off the fingertips of a diving Charest. The loss was the first on the season for Canaan, who must now play without Graves or Smith for the next two matches.