RECAP: Undefeated #5 Gee-Gees down Laurentian in Home Opener
Gee-Gees continue strong start to season, adding to their undefeated record
September 15, 2018
Early offensive pressure was the difference for the Gee-Gees women's soccer team as they extended their undefeated start to the season with a 2-0 win over Laurentian on Saturday.
All season, the combination of stifling defence and attacking forwards have been keys to victory for the U SPORTS fifth-ranked Gee-Gees. In their Home Opener at Gee-Gees Field, the same recipe worked again.
Limiting the Voyageurs to only one shot in the match, the Garnet and Grey attack was potent enough to set themselves apart in the latter part of the first half.
A goal from third-year striker Emma Lefebvre opened the scoring for the Gee-Gees. Lefebvre sits atop the nation in scoring and in points as she netted her 10th goal of the regular season.
Shortly after, fourth-year midfielder Katherine Bearne broke away from a defender, and fired a shot directly at the Laurentian keeper. The ball bounced back into her possession and Bearne laid it up and over the keeper's head for the second goal of the game.
Gee-Gees head coach Steve Johnson was able to use the second half to cycle though his lineup and spread around playing time. Despite a handful of chances, the Gee-Gees were unable to find the back of the net again in the match.
Goalkeepers Margot Shore and Hillary Damman split playing time evenly in the match, each not allowing the visitors a chance to find their way on the score sheet.
"I've been happy with how we've played defensively all season," said Johnson. "I thought Laurentian came out really strong in the beginning. Up until the water break, they were playing at higher rate than we were. From then on, for the last three-quarters of the game, I was very happy with how we played defensively."
The match's two goal scorers are no stranger to having the offense run though them, however, this season, their work is translating to more points than ever before.
"As a team we're very possession based," said Lefebvre. "I think that we play calmly though the back, and that helps us build towards the front to create a lot of opportunities. We practice finishing a lot, and it helps when we're converting them to goals."
Bearne explained that much of the team's success breaks down to great communication. The team has begun to mesh so deeply in practice that it is carrying over to the field in game situations.
"I think so much of me being open or Emma scoring that great goal is because of what we know we need to do to get the job done," she said.
Next up, the Gee-Gees will take on the Nipissing Lakers at Gee-Gees Field on Sunday. A draw against the Lakers in the first game of the season is the only non-win the team has this season. Carrying momentum into the match, the Gee-Gees will look to make up for that early season game.
Action is underway at 2 p.m., tickets can be purchased at tickets.geegees.ca and the game will be streamed live on OUA.tv.