Oshawa’s Ontario Tech Ridgebacks men’s soccer squad due for jump in rankings after weekend sweep

The Ontario Tech Ridgebacks men’s soccer teams took both games in a home-and-home series (played a week apart) against fellow nationally ranked Carleton Ravens, completing the sweep against the No. 6 Ravens at home at Vaso’s Field Saturday with a 2-1 victory.

The seventh ranked Ridgebacks opened the scoring in the third minute with Trivine Esprit cleaning up a rebound from OUA scoring leader Chris Campoli’s shot from the side of the box.

Carleton, who were beaten 2-0 by Ontario Tech the week before in Ottawa – thanks to a pair of goals from Campoli – evened the match in the 31st minute and looked to have the advantage after a 72nd minute red card to Luciano Nania. But Ontario Tech had some theatrics left and Campoli, the reigning men’s soccer Player of the Week in the CIS, had an expected role in it.

It was Campoli took the ball into the box in the 88th minute and despite being surrounded by four Ravens, he found a seam and dished off to Carlos Edic who drilled the winner into the top corner.

Kevon Grant made three saves in the win.

The Ridgebacks followed that win with a 2-0 shutout of the RMC Paladins on Sunday, their final home game of 2022 season. Matthew Mattila, who has not allowed a goal this season, earned his ninth career clean sheet with the team.

Campoli, who scored the game’s first goal from the spot in the 67th minute, now has 13 on the season, nearly double his nearest rival. His six assists also lead the league.

Andrew Ferris completed the scoring Sunday, heading home a cross from Justin Irwin.

The Ridgebacks, now 9-1 and due for a jump in national rankings (likely to as high as fifth), will wrap up conference play in North Bay October 22 against the Nipissing Lakers.

MSOC | Field-level angle from today's goals in the 2-1 win over the Carleton Ravens, both OUA firsts for Trivine Esprit and Carlos Edic. pic.twitter.com/yZxaLHJWcB

— Ontario Tech Ridgebacks (@OT_Ridgebacks) October 15, 2022