Men’s Soccer

After leading in both games this weekend that eventually led to draws, the Gaels will go into practice this week looking to make tweaks to their games.

On Saturday against the UOIT Ridgebacks, the Gaels scored the first goal of the match just before halftime, with senior forward Patrick Van Belleghan being the beneficiary of a Rory McParland assist. The Gaels maintained their 1-0 lead and appeared in control until the dying minutes of the game. A Ridgeback missed penalty in the 90th minute would be as far and lucky as Queen’s would get, because the visitors tied the game right before the final whistle, resulting in a 1-1 final score.

Sunday’s game against Trent followed a similar trend. With three total penalties taken — two for Trent and one for Queen’s — the back-and-forth between both sides would result in a 2-2 draw. Captain Jacob Schroeter had nine shots throughout the affair and scored Queen’s second goal of the match, his team-leading fifth of the season.

Next for the Gaels is a home bout versus the Ryerson Rams in what will be the teams’ first meeting since the Rams knocked Queen’s out of last year’s playoffs.

Women’s Soccer

After heading into the weekend ranked eighth nationally, Women’s soccer lost 2-1 to the undefeated and second-ranked Ridgebacks on Saturday afternoon.

With Alexandra Doane’s goal in the 76th minute for Queen’s, the game seemed all but heading towards a draw. However in the 90th minute, a Ridgebacks strike from 35 yards out put the Gaels on their back heels. The visitors would take the game 2-1.

The Gaels found a little more luck on Saturday versus Trent. Two quick goals to open the first half by the home side put the game away early. Although Trent scored a goal with a minute left before halftime, Queen’s kept their opponents at bay for the second half. They would eventually win the game 2-1.

The women also host the Rams next weekend where they’ll be looking for their sixth win.

Football

Things kept getting worse for Queen’s football on Saturday night.

The winless Gaels played away to the nationally ranked number-four Western Mustangs and struggled from the outset.

Heading out of halftime trailing 29-10, Queen’s couldn’t find their footing in the last two quarters and were shut out for the second game in a row. Western kept piling on the pressure, though, scoring a total of 19 points in the third and fourth quarters and closing the game out 48-10.

If the Gaels want any shot of securing a playoff spot, they’ll have to win next weekend in a pivotal matchup against the Windsor Lancers.