The senior soccer team overcame a two-goal deficit yesterday to defeat Sutherland 3-2 in penalty kicks. This crucial win has pushed the Cavs into a three-way tie for 4th place in the tough North Shore league. Collingwood can break this tie with a win over Seycove this afternoon.
In yesterday's game, the Cavs dug themselves a big hole with an uninspired first-half performance. Collingwood conceded a penalty kick and then had a defensive breakdown that gifted the Sabres their second goal of the day.
Coach Lake had some choice words for his players at halftime. It was a chastened group that took to field to start the second half. Right away, it was clear that the Cavs were not going to lie down and fade away. Nick Somers put a beautiful through ball in behind the Sabres' defence and Brent Anderson made no mistake stroking the ball firmly into the bottom corner. This was Brent's first goal for the senior team and it could not have come at a better time.
With time running out, the Cavs were still trailing 2-1. With the referee announcing there was only 30 seconds to play, Jack Mathisen took a corner kick. The Sabres goalie watched it sail over his head and then watched in disbelief as Imraan Karmali hammered it into the net.
Collingwood always goes into penalty shoot-outs with great confidence as they feel goalie Tariq Alibhai will always rise to the occasion. As Coach Waterhouse stated, "I'll take Tariq over any other goalie in the league in a shootout". Sure enough, Tariq saved two Sutherland penalties. Derek Punter, Adam Lewis, Duncan Bustos and Brent Anderson all scored to give the Cavs the big victory.
Imraan Karmali scored in the last minute of play to send the game to penalty kicks.