VICTORIA - The men's field hockey team lost 3-1 to India Club in their home opener on Oct. 1. #
Matthew Sarmento# was the lone goal scorer for the Vikes and this goal bring's his tally to four in just as many games.
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The Vikes dominated in possession throughout the majority of the first half. Early in the game, Sarmento and #
David Bell# sparked a promising attack down the right side. Senior #
James Kirkpatrick# was on the end of the final pass and with great individual skill, took the base line and played the ball in front of the goal. The final shot went wide but the attack was a good start for the Vikes.
Following, the Vikes generated two additional scoring opportunities, both of which resulted in breakaways. #
Derek Wiggins# and #
Gavin Gentles# each had their opportunity to face the India Club keeper one-on-one but neither were successful.
Midway through the first half India Club was awarded a penalty stroke, which was taken by former national team member
Bindi Kullar. Rookie keeper #
Davis Robertson# wasn't phased and made a game changing save to keep the score locked at 0-0.
The Vikes would get the go ahead goal near the end of the final half when the Vikes earned a penalty corner. #
Sam Jones# flicked the initial shot on net and after the ball was saved, Sarmento was there to clean up. The Vikes would enter the break with a 1-0 edge.
Momentum continued in UVic's favour as several scoring opportunities, including two penalty corners, were generated early in the second half. India Club soon began to turn on their offence turn the tides. India Club succeeded in scoring two unanswered goals close together midway through the second half.
Pushing for the come back head coach #Michael Lee# took a few risks, moving players around. The Vikes would earn a few more penalty corners but unfortunately, India Club would secure their lead with a late third goal to down the Vikes 3-1.
After the game, Lee said, "We competed for about three quarters of the game today. Many of the tactics that we worked on this week in training were implemented well throughout the game. Unfortunately, some brief lapses in our structure cost us the final result in today's match."
The men's field hockey team will have a break in their schedule and will not compete again until Nov. 5 at 2:00 p.m. PDT at the UVic field hockey pitch.
