Matteo Polisi’s penalty kick in under four minutes set the stage for SFU’s domination
by Beau Chevalier
Image Credit: SFU Athletics
BURNABY, BC — Having netted 14 goals in their last five games, SFU looked to continue their goal scoring form, and that they did, putting five past the bottom of the GNAC standings Saint Martin’s University Saints in a game dominated from start to finish.
“Regardless of who the opponent is, when we play the way we want to play, teams are not going to have many opportunities” said head coach Clint Schneider.
The Clan dictated the possession and tempo of the match from kick off, looking to expose the Saint Martin’s fullbacks. It only took 3:28 before SFU was awarded a penalty for a foul on Matteo Polisi, who calmly converted the spot kick into the top right hand corner for his fourth goal of the season and the first of the match.
This was a sign of things to come as SFU wingers bombarded down the flanks causing constant trouble for the Saint Martin defenders. In particular, Mamadi Camara’s pace and direct dribbling proved too much for the Saint Martin’s left back, Cayman John, who was subbed off after eight minutes in which Camara got the better of him on numerous occasions down the right wing.
“With Mamadi, there’s still way more left in him, he didn’t play all summer and he’s still not necessarily fully fit and sharp,” said Schneider. “If you’re gonna put a percentage on his sharpness, he’s probably on 70 percent, and you know that’s scary for opposing teams, but also exciting for us.”
SFU worked hard defensively to shut down any hope for a equalizer through their high press which led to many interceptions and turnovers in favour of the Clan. The Saints failed to register a single shot in the first half.
Although SFU had the majority of possession in the first forty five minutes, they had failed to add to their first goal despite registering seven shots on target in the first half.
As the second half started, SFU looked to be more clinical in front of goal and were eager to increase their lead. It only took the Clan ten minutes to do so, as Matteo Polisi converted from inside the box following a smooth lay off from forward Riley Pang increasing SFU’s lead to 2-0.
The Clan wasted no time in scoring a third seven minutes later, as Matteo Polisi played a ball into Camara, who whipped a low cross into Pang, who finished the move with an instinctive shot from six yards making it 3-0.
After making it 3-0, SFU continued to create chances, but a lapse in concentration in the 80th minute led to a goal for the visitors to make it 3-1, meaning SFU have failed to keep a clean sheet in four of the last five games.
But SFU mounted a quick reply scoring only nineteen seconds later to make it 4-1 as the ball was played long to Dzenan Bezdrob who shot the ball across the keeper with the ball nestling in the bottom left corner.
“Credit to the guys for responding that way, that’s what you want,” explained Schneider. “But [I’m] obviously disappointed that we conceded, we never want to concede at home or ever, but especially in that way too, just a bit of a lapse — that’s how it usually happens with us.”
SFU scored their fifth goal in the 88th minute as Connor Glennon scored a penalty by beating the goalkeeper with a low shot into the bottom right corner finishing off the scoring at 5-1.
THURSDAY: SFU will play away at Concordia University this Thursday, and will look to pick up all three points against the Cavaliers, who are without a win in their last five games.
“Concordia are always set up defensively, they’re going to make it difficult for us definitely, they are gonna try to get goals on counter attacks and set pieces,” said Schneider. “I’m hoping that the way we play today will continue to go forward, continue to build, continue to score goals, and we’ll be happy.”
Kickoff is at 4 pm.
CJSF Sports Report 