SARNIA – An early goal was the difference.
On Saturday afternoon, the Lambton Men’s Soccer Program dropped their season opening contest to the Sheridan Bruins at the Lambton College Soccer Field, 1-0.
Sheridan started the game with possession of the ball, and they went to work early, testing Lambton first-year goalkeeper Ben Crombeen in the process. The Bruins looked to seize some early momentum, and they managed to get on the scoreboard early on.
Off a free kick just outside the box, Teshawn Taylor got his head on the ball and sent it past Crombeen and into the back of the net to give the visitors an early one-goal lead.
From that point on, it was a back-and-forth affair for the remaining 80+ minutes of action. Both teams had their chances, but neither team was able to find the back of the net.
After struggling to break away from the Sheridan defenders for most of the game, first-year striker Ochard Campbell had arguably Lambton’s best chance to score late in the second half. On a deep ball from one of the Lions defenders, Campbell got behind the Bruins back line and had a go at the keeper. He didn’t quite get enough on the shot to find the back of the net, but it was a quality chance at getting the game back to all-square for the home side.
Despite the early goal, Crombeen remained rock solid in net. He finished the afternoon with nine saves, keeping the Lions in the contest and giving them a chance to come away with at least a point.
With a healthy mix of first-year and veteran student-athletes, many of which are from the Sarnia-Lambton area, there was a heightened level of optimism coming into the season. Despite Saturday’s result, that level of optimism remains high as the newcomers showed they can compete with one of the provincial’s top teams on an annual basis.
Now, they shift their focus to a pair of games in the week ahead. The Lions take on the Conestoga Condors on Wednesday night in Kitchener.
Kick-off is set for approximately 8:00 p.m., or 20 minutes after the conclusion of the Women’s Game.