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Coming off a 5-4 loss to Simcoe a week earlier there was no doubt this Columbia team could score, but how was their defense?  In their first four games of the season Columbia had allowed a division leading 15 goals against - and St. Mary's was sporting a respectable 2-1-1 record coming into London this time around.  Although maintaining a general advantage in size and age, Columbia, although with fair speed up front, was generally outworked by St. Mary's very communicative and co-operative style of play.  Both teams could indeed move the ball well up through the mid-field areas, yet it was for the most part St. Mary's that would generate the higher quality scoring opportunities.  At 9 minutes in it was St. Mary's Kevin Thompson (#19 in black and white) who opened up the scoring as he eluded a diving Columbia keeper and swiftly sent the ball rolling into the bottom of the net past the two remaining defenders.  Play remained very back and forth after this point, with relatively few whistles, and the Columbia squad showed no signs of slowing.  At 21 minutes it was Columbia's speedy #19 converting directly from an accurately placed corner originating from the left side with a fine header into the top of the St. Mary's goal to tie the game.  It was clear from this point that Columbia could indeed score and put the pressure on the St. Mary's defenders for significant periods of time, yet St. Mary's somehow maintained an advantage in terms of overall execution, and if they could continue to capitalize on Columbia's defensive breakdowns, it was apparent that they would have the game.  At 37 minutes into the first half St. Mary's #14 (who put in a fine effort throughout the game) converting on a similar play with a strong diving header made directly from a corner on the right side making it 2-1.  Both sides traded shots on goal of varying quality for the remainder of the half.
With the opening of the second period of play it was evident that Columbia felt very strongly that their first win (or tie and single point) was within their reach.  To their advantage, and although play became somewhat rougher and more intermittent, St. Mary's took a more defensive stance and kept only perhaps one or two strikers up field.  For the larger part of the half play remained in the St. Mary's end, as Columbia strikers worked their way in for attack after offensive attack.  Columbia was getting the shots off, yet the front of the St. Mary's goal was often so crowded with defenders that the ball would rarely reach the keeper.  And although this strategy was not completely advantageous to St. Mary's - as one high shot nearly eluded their keeper from some thirty metres out with about 20 minutes remaining - it was in the end effective.  Although there would be no more scoring in the game - it was interesting to note that although Columbia's "Achilles Heel" was the relative regularity of their defensive errors, St. Mary's, through most part of the second half chose not to exploit the opportunity and instead retreat back into a defensive shell trying to protect a one-goal lead against a capable offense.  With the closing whistle, and for no lack of effort, Columbia would be handed their fifth straight loss, and St. Mary's would travel home with another three points.  JHS

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