Controversial calls hurt men’s soccer

Three-game winning streak closes with Tigers loss

Evraire in last Saturday's game. Photo by Martina Marien.

The Dalhousie men’s soccer team fought valiantly last Saturday against the highest scoring team in the AUS, the Cape Breton Capers, but lost 3 – 1 on a soaked Wickwire Field. The game’s result, however, was marred by a few controversial moments.

The first half began simply enough with the Tigers executing their game plan to prevent the potent Cape Breton scorers from taking the middle of the field. Dal opened the scoring with a corner kick midway through the first half when Jordan Mannix had the final touch on a scramble in front of the net.

With nine minutes remaining in the half, the head referee changed the course of the game by ordering Dal midfielder Phillip Parsons off the field to tape up his socks.

“I’ve never seen that before,” said Tigers head coach Pat Nearing.

With the Tigers temporarily down a man, Keishen Bean brought his Capers back into it, scoring the tying goal.

At the 54th minute, the referee handed a red card to Nick Persichino for a handball inside the box. The Capers scored on the ensuing penalty kick.

“We’ve got 10 men on the field. They’ve got a 2 – 1 lead and momentum is in their favour,” said Nearing on the red card. “It was difficult to come back after that.”

While Nearing considered the call “a little weak,” what ensued was more contentious.

After putting home the penalty kick, Cape Breton goal scorer Silvano Rajkovic ran to the corner flag, knelt on all fours and raised a leg, mimicking a urinating dog. The sideline referee immediately called over his counterpart to let him know of the act, which was undoubtedly a cardable offence. The referee chose not to issue a penalty, however, which would have removed Rajkovic from the game. The midfielder was already handed a yellow card in the first half. Shayne Hollis had the Capers final tally in the 67th minute.

Discussing their upcoming game against St. Francis Xavier, Nearing notes his team will need to make some adjustments as they continue playing without injured captain Kerry Weymann and the now-suspended Persichino.

“We’re still good in that position with Nathan Rogers and Wes [Hawley], so we’ll just have to adjust our midfield a little bit.”

The men’s soccer team has two crucial contests this weekend against the league’s finest. On Friday, Sept. 30 they battle St. FX, which is tied with Cape Breton atop the AUS standing at 4-0-1. The Tigers have a rematch against CBU the day after.