Stories of the Match: Wanderers drop a 1-0 decision to Ottawa

April 16, 2022

The Halifax Wanderers had their chances but ended up dropping a 1-0 result to Atlético Ottawa at TD Place on Saturday afternoon.

Here are some of the storylines that transpired for the club over the 90 minutes.

Miss the match? Watch the highlights

Wanderers Man of the Match: Mateo Restrepo

On an afternoon where both teams had their fair share of chances, central defender Mateo Restrepo was steady throughout the match. The 24-year-old’s distribution from the back was key to the Wanderers holding possession.

In 86 minutes of action, Restrepo led all defenders in passes (65) and a completion rate of over 95%. He combined with centre-back partner Eriks Santos to make 11 clearances on the defensive side.

Team creates chances, runs into a hot goalkeeper

Despite winning the possession battle (57%) and having more shots on target than Ottawa (5-3), the Wanderers could not solve Nathan Ingham. The eventual man of the match stopped every shot he faced, including a double-save on an excellent chance by Wanderers forwards Samuel Salter and Joao Morelli.

Nathan Ingham with a great double save for @atletiOttawa! keeping the match level against @HFXWanderersFC ⚽#CanPL | 🔴 https://t.co/7JFAUhgjL6 pic.twitter.com/SnCUatB2k8

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) April 16, 2022

Morelli led the match with six shots, four of them finding the target, including a solid left-footed effort that forced another impressive save from Ingham.

Midfield builds off a strong opening match

Both Andre Rampersad and Jeremy Gagnon-Laparé picked up where they left off in the season opener against York. The pair once again showcased their ability to hold possession and distribute the ball around the pitch.

Gagnon-Laparé led the match in touches (86) and passes (75) with a nearly 91% completion percentage. Rampersad was right there with him, completing close to 96% of his passes, the highest rate among starters in the match. And that completion rating comes despite Rampersad having the second-most attempts among all players.

“We thought once we stretched them, we could go through the middle a little bit,” head coach Stephen Hart said. “The pitch kind of slowed that attack down through the middle.”

Pierre Lamothe completed the starting group in the heart of midfield, coming in for Aidan Daniels. Lamothe went 73 minutes and finished among the match leaders in touches and pass attempts with a 92.9 % completion rate.

Take a Gander at another debut

Another new face on the 2022 Wanderers made their debut on Saturday, as left-back Colin Gander entered the match in the 86th minute.

Gander was a 2022 U SPORTS draft pick by the Wanderers and signed a contract with the team earlier in April.

What they had to say

“I thought we were in good control for the opening 30 minutes of the game, and then they had some good moments in the closing of the first half. And then I thought we were in control of the game in the second half and had some very good chances. But all credit (to them), good goalkeeping and they played for that chance that Shaw scored and he took it well.” – head coach Stephen Hart on the team’s performance.

“It was overall a good game for both teams. They played well on the counter-attack; credit to their keeper for making a couple of saves out there. Normally, Morelli gets in that position for sure it’s a goal. We go back home and go back to work, watch some video and prepare for the next game ahead.” – captain Andre Rampersad.

Atletico Ottawa vs HFX Wanderers April 16, 2022 PHOTO: Matt Zambonin/Freestyle Photography/CPL

What’s next?

The Wanderers return to Halifax and prepare for the final match of the season-opening road trip. They visit Pacific FC on Saturday, April 23.