Jenny Wolever and Brittany Almeida confer before a corner kick during Sunday's match between the Queen's Gaels and the Carleton Ravens at the revitalized Richardson Stadium.
Laura Callender of the Queen's Gaels battles past a Carleton Ravens defender to put a cross into the box during Sunday's game at the revitalized Richardson Stadium.- Fans take in one of four games that were offered during Kingston Soccer Day as part of the opening weekend celebration at the revitalized Richardson Stadium.
- The Queen's Gaels celebrate after Brittany Almeida scored the winning goal of their game against the Carleton Ravens at the revitalized Richardson Stadium.
- Andrew Martin of the Queen's Gaels battles for the ball with a Carleton Ravens defender in Sunday's game at Richardson Stadium. The Ravens won 4-2.
- Chris Wellsman of the Queen's Gaels heads the ball clear during Sunday's game at the revitalized Richardson Stadium against the Carleton Ravens.
The Queen’s Gaels soccer teams took to the turf of the revitalized Richardson Stadium on Sunday, the new home field for the men’s and women’s programs.
The newly-opened facility hosted Kingston Community Soccer Day capping a full weekend of events to celebrate the completion of the revitalization project.
The women’s soccer team got the day off to a good start with a 1-0 win over the Carleton Ravens but the men fell to their first defeat of the season, a 4-2 loss to Carleton.
The football Gaels kicked off the celebration on Saturday with a 27-13 loss to the Western Mustangs.
Brittany Almeida scored the game’s only goal in the 76th minute to give the Gaels (4-2-0) the edge over the Ravens (4-2-1) as she put her shot from 20 yards out over the Carleton goalkeeper.
Madison Tyrell made eight saves for the clean sheet.
In the day’s second OUA game, the Gaels men’s team (4-1-1) dropped their first loss after falling behind 2-0 in the first half. Tonko Bacelic struck back after the restart but the Ravens (5-1-1) responded with another pair of goal.s An own goal by Carleton made the final score 4-2.
Along with the Gaels games, soccer fans were able to take in a pair of games featuring the Kingston Clippers League 1 Ontario men’s and women’s teams, who will also play out of Richardson Stadium.
Revitalization plans began in March 2014 with the announcement of a $10 million pledge to the project from Queen’s alumni Stu and Kim Lang. That announcement was followed by news of a $5 million contribution from the Richardson Foundation. Other donors came forward, bringing the total amount raised to more than $17 million, with the university contributing $3 million for infrastructure support. A donor recognition wall will be unveiled at Richardson Stadium as part of homecoming celebrations.
As part of the revitalization of Richardson Stadium the grandstands have been brought closer to the field, improving sightlines of the stadium’s 8,000 seats. Concession carts and other entertainment options surround the upper concourse, adding to the game-day experience.
The construction of the stadium was a priority within Queen’s Initiative Campaign, which concluded this year. It is one of a number of efforts undertaken to enhance the university’s athletics and recreation facilities to promote the health and wellness of all students.