View from the 18: Week 7

Game Played on June 29 2026

Game was to be played on June 30 2026

This match will be rescheduled at a later date.

Game Played on July 03 2026

Game Played on July 03 2026

The heat was already intense before the match even kicked off, with thick, heavy air hanging over the pitch, and its effects early. Our team found themselves down 2-0 within the opening minutes against the Ottawa Bears Green, who currently sits atop the table. But our boys refused to fold, clawing one back before the break with a beautifully struck free kick to head into halftime within reach.

The second half was a different story. Our team came out with intent, firing home two unanswered goals to flip the scoreline and take a 3-2 lead. For a stretch, it looked like the comeback was complete.

But futball has a way of testing a lead right to the final whistle. In the last quarter, the Bears Green dug deep and found three more goals, while our team could only add one more in response. The match ended 5-4, with the league leaders surviving a frantic, last gasp push in the dying minutes to hold on for the win.

It was a heart breaker given how hard our team fought back from 2-0 down, but plenty to be proud of.

Game Played on July 03 2026

Our OT5 Wolves played against Carleton Place Rangers on our home field. This was the last game of the first round of the season. Following O.C.S.L. guidelines, both teams and the referee agreed on having 2 water breaks per half to mitigate the impact of the heat wave hitting our city.

The game started with both teams looking to control the possession of the ball. Within the first few minutes of the match, Carleton Place scored. Despite the setback, we kept our cool and tied the game shortly after, following a breakthrough from Ada K.. The game continued with good scoring chances for both teams, but towards the end of the half, Luca R. scored, following a good cross in the box. For the first time in a while, we had a lead.

At the start of the second half, a miscommunication between our lines led Carleton Place to score two goals within the first 10 minutes. Again, we kept our composure and just before the first hydration break, our Jamie H. scored to tie the game at 3-3.

This tying goal gave us the confidence and motivation to continue attacking and shortly after, Chris S. gave us the lead with a great kick from outside the box. It was 4-3, with 18 minutes to go. Carleton Place changed its formation to increase pressure and in a cross towards the box, they tied the game. Shortly after, a great attacking play led Ada sprinting towards the goal. He was fouled inside the box. I converted the penalty kick, making it 5-4 for our squad. This proved to be the winning goal. A hard-fought win against a solid team.

Those who read this blog know that in the past few weeks, we’ve emphasized that this is a new squad, with people playing together for the first time. Despite the previous losses, we have seen an improvement in our play. This game felt that we played as a team, supporting each other and understanding where and how our teammates play. This is a work in progress, and lots still needs to be done, but we always choose to see the glass half full.

As mentioned, this win was a team effort, so the whole squad were the 'Men of the Match'. Great job Rafal, Drew, Kevin, Grant, Greg, Andrew A., Fuad, Faisal, Luca, Chris A, Chris S, Jamie, Ada, and Ali. It is a pleasure to play with you.

Our next game will be against the White Eagles, on their home field.

Forza Wolves!

Game Played on July 03 2026

Our own Liam Smithies scored 3 goals, and Timon Garreau added another as we doubled the Ottawa Bears.

Game Played on July 03 2026

While technically within the O.C.S.L. regulations as a playable night, the high temperatures and heavy air made for challenging conditions and left me largely a puddle by the end.

Despite the heat and humidity (and the trek into the deepest part of Gatineau), the team showed up in numbers, no doubt tempted by the promise of Mark's BBQ at the end of our game. While we had good numbers, we still got off to a slow start and despite dominating positional play in the early going, we gave up a goal less than 10 minutes into the game. I would say this shook us into action, but if we are being honest, we continued to find ourselves out of sorts and struggling to string passes together. This is not to say we were without chances. In fact, we hit the woodwork and kept their keeper active, but it was not until quite late in the first half that Neal H. finally managed to bundle one home. From there, the first half was a fair amount of huffing and puffing, but very little end-product.

The second half saw more of the same. While we did not give up many chances, the team from Gatineau was well organized and enjoyed more possession than was comfortable. Fitting for a night like this, the telling play came midway through the half, when Oscar A. pressured their keeper after a pass back, forcing an error in possession and ultimately finding the back of the net. Another goal that was far from pretty, but well deserved for Oscar, who put in a shift all night.

The other team would have one more gilt-edged chance off a partial break, but our onrushing keeper, Rocky C., did enough to throw them off and otherwise we managed to shut down any real danger. Suffice to say, the sound of the final whistle was welcomed by all.

Now back to the air conditioning!

Game Played on July 05 2026