W-Soccer Roundup: Western finishes season undefeated, Ottawa sits atop standings
October 20
Nipissing 2 at Queen’s 2
KINGSTON, Ont. (October 20, 2013) - The Queen’s Gaels finished their regular season with goals from Jennifer Siu (London, Ont.) and Kyra Steer (Surrey, B.C.) in a 2-2 tie against the Nipissing Lakers on Sunday afternoon on West Campus.
Siu's goal put the Gaels ahead in the 6th minute with a shot off the post. Shannon Russell responded for the Lakers in the 7th minute. Steer put the Gaels ahead again in the 20th minute, but Nipissing tied the game in the 60th minute with a goal from Sara Dorval.
The Gaels qualify for the playoffs in 4th spot, and will play their OUA East quarterfinal against the Laurentian Voyageurs on Wednesday at the West Campus Field.
Source: Queen’s Sports Info
Toronto 3 at Ottawa 2
Women's soccer leading scorer and team co-captain Aisha Lewis completed a hat trick, notching the game-winning goal in the 90th minute as the No. 7 Varsity Blues defeated the Carleton Ravens 3-2 on Sunday afternoon in Ottawa.
Toronto finishes the season with a 10-3-3 record and in second place in the OUA East division, and will host an OUA quarter-final match on Sunday, October 27 at 1 p.m. at Varsity Centre. Their opponent will be determined after Wednesday's playoff round.
A native of Mississauga, Ont., Lewis notched the first goal of the match as she booted the ball into the bottom right corner of the net on a breakaway in the 10th minute.
The Ravens responded two minutes later as Sarah Royer sent the ball into the top right corner of the net off a Carleton free kick. The game remained 1-1 at the half.
Carleton scored the go-ahead goal in the 52nd minute, sending a booming shot into the top left corner of the net from 30 yards out.
However, Lewis scored her second of the game as she found herself all alone with the ball in front of the net and slotted it in to even the score at 2-2. The fourth-year urban studies major then came up with a huge goal, receiving a long through ball over the Carleton defender's heads to find the back of the net in the 90th minute.
Blues goalkeeper Sara Petrucci made several key saves in the second half to keep the score even, before Lewis punched Toronto's ticket to the quarter-final round.
The University of Toronto is the proud host of the 2013 CIS women's soccer championship, Nov. 7-10, at Varsity Centre.
Source: Toronto Sports Info
McMaster 1 at Laurier 3
The Marauder women's soccer team slumped to a season-closing loss in Waterloo on Sunday, but is headed to the playoffs nonetheless. McMaster conceded three consecutive goals to the Laurier Golden Hawks before a consolation marker in the 90th minute, and fell 3-1.
The result saw the Marauders (5-6-5) settle for the sixth and final playoff position in the OUA West. McMaster will travel to Oshawa on Wednesday to contest an opening-round match against the UOIT Ridgebacks.
Forward Emily Brown opened the scoring for the Golden Hawks in the 16th minute, before Jessica Craig doubled the home side's advantage in the 35th. McMaster found itself in a considerable hole at the interval, and that deficit would only get deeper in the opening minutes of the second half.
Brown struck for her second goal of the match to extend Laurier's lead in the 52nd minute, and effectively put the result out of reach.
McMaster's Adrienne Harrison clawed one of Laurier's goals back in the final minute, but it was too little, too late for the Marauders.
Game time for the Marauders' first-round playoff tie against UOIT is 3:30 p.m.
Source: McMaster Sports Info
Waterloo 0 at York 4
Nour Ghoneim scored two goals to lift the York University Lions women's soccer team to a 4-0 victory Sunday (Oct. 20) over the Waterloo Warriors in the final game of the regular season at York Stadium.
Ghoneim (Aurora, Ont.) finished with eight goals in just nine games to lead all Lions and rank fifth in the OUA despite playing less games than any other player in the top 30. She also came into the game late in place of goalkeeper Sarah Fiorini (Newmarket, Ont.) and made one save to preserve the shutout.
The win would be bittersweet for the Lions, however, as they were eliminated from the playoffs after Saturday's loss to the Windsor Lancers. The Lions finish the season with a record of 4-5-7 and in seventh place in the OUA West.
But the Lions aimed to finish strong regardless, as the graduating players were looking to leave York Stadium for the last time with a win. Playing with an immediate sense of urgency, the Lions threatened early and often.
Taking a corner kick in the 22nd minute, fifth-year forward Navneet Aujla (Brampton, Ont.) would find teammate Shannon Wood (Brampton, Ont.) in front of the net with a beautiful pass to open the scoring and give the Lions an early 1-0 lead.
York would continue to use superb passing to create scoring chances in the Warriors' zone. Five minutes after Wood's goal, Sarah Wong (Toronto) set up Ghoneim in front of Waterloo's net with a perfect lob pass. Ghoneim would get airborne to receive the pass, kicking the ball in mid-air for her first goal of the game.
The Warriors were gasping for air as York looked to be on an all-out attack. Wood and Ghoneim continued to impress, with Wood feeding Ghoneim on another beautiful Lions pass behind the defence. Ghoneim would convert again for her second goal of the contest.
The Lions carried the 3-0 lead into halftime.
The Lions were in control throughout the majority of the second, never coming close to losing their advantage. York would begin to cycle in their bench later into the half, honouring their senior players and rookies.
In the 72nd minute, rookie Ashley Bent (Markham, Ont.) took advantage of the opportunity. Breaking through the Waterloo defence with a beautiful spinning move, Bent rocketed a shot into the back of the net to give the Lions a four-goal lead.
Fiorini, playing in her final game with the Lions after a stellar five-year career, was perfect on the day with two saves.
Source: York Sports Info
Ryerson 0 at Ottawa 3
OTTAWA, Ont. – The Ryerson Rams women’s soccer team wrapped up their 2013 season on Sunday afternoon with a 3-0 loss at the hands of the No. 1 nationally ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees.
Ottawa’s Pilar Khoury (Ottawa, Ont.) opened the scoring in the 12th minute then added an insurance marker early in the second half.
Krista Draycott (Ottawa, Ont.) scored the other Gee-Gees goal in the 21st minute.
Battling against one of the top defensive teams in the OUA, Ryerson was able to generate more chances than the boxscore may reflect. The Rams officially registered just two shots on target but were able to play their game.
Despite missing the playoffs, Ryerson has a bright future ahead of them with a solid core of talented players poised to return next season.
Source: Ryerson Sports Info
Guelph 1 at Western 2
London, Ont. - The Guelph Gryphons women's soccer team dropped a 2-1 final Sunday afternoon to the Western Mustangs in London to close out the regular season. The Gryphons finish the season with a 7-6-3 record, good for fourth place in the OUA West and a spot in the post season. Meanwhile the Mustangs remained undefeated with a 11-0-5 record and are first going into the playoffs.
The Gryphons finish the season fourth in the OUA West and will host a playoff game against the fifth place Windsor Lancers (6-7-3) on Wednesday (Oct. 23) at 6:00 p.m. at the Gryphon Soccer Complex.
Today, the Gryphons opened the scoring with a goal by fifth year Alexandra Harriss (Dundas, Ont.) in the 33rd minute of the first half. The high powered Mustangs scored five minutes later and added to the score in the second half with another goal to close out the game with a 2-1 final. Third year goaltender Megan Klimas (Russell, Ont.) was in net for the Gryphons, with one save in the loss.
The Gryphons will now host the Lancers on October 23rd at 6:00 p.m. at the Gryphon Soccer Complex in Guelph. These two teams met twice this season and hold a 1-1 record. Guelph dropped a 3-1 final in Windsor (Sept. 21) and then bounced back in their next meeting to hold the Lancers scoreless with a 7-0 win in Guelph on October 5.
Source: Guelph Sports Info
Laurentian 1 at RMC 0
The Laurentian Voyageurs women’s soccer team was coming off a strong performance on Saturday, and was looking to increase their winning streak to seven games with a victory on Sunday, Oct. 20. Facing off against the RMC Paladins in Kingston, the Voyageurs were able to do just that, and earned three points in a 1-0 contest.
The Voyageurs’ first 15 minutes of play in the first half were terrific, as they were able to play the ball around the field, and spread out RMC’s midfield and defenders. Laurentian was able to create early opportunities when both first year outside defenders, Sydney Emmanuel (Brampton, ON) and Megan Gallo (Sudbury, ON) made runs up the wings and sent crosses into the box toward their forwards. The Voyageurs possessed the ball throughout the first half, and were eventually able to find the back of the net off a corner kick around the 37th minute mark. First year Melissa Ayotte (Barrie, ON) buried an open ball in the back of the net off a corner kick, earning her first OUA goal, and what would end up being the game winner. Neither team was able to score any goals for the remainder of the half, and the Voyageurs lead the Paladins by one heading into the second.
The second half of the game showed much less of a possession game for both teams, as they were both much less settled on the ball and increased the physicality of the play. The Paladins were able to put Laurentian under pressure on quick breaks from their end, and earned ## corners in the second half. They were unable to capitalize as Laurentian goaltender Dina Mandolesi (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) stopped all shots that came her way, and earned her second shutout in as many games. The second half ended without any goals, and the Voyageurs closed their regular season with a 1-0 win over the RMC Paladins, completing their 7 game undefeated streak with a well earned victory.
The women will be returning to Kingston to face off against the Queen’s Gaels on Wednesday evening in their first round playoff game. Continue to follow your Voyagers at www.luvoyageurs.com for up-to-date news and results.
Source: Laurentian Sports Info
Windsor 1 at UOIT 1
OSHAWA, Ont. – The UOIT Ridgebacks women's soccer team earned a 1-1 draw against the University of Windsor in their regular season finale on Sunday. With the point, UOIT clinched third place in the OUA western conference standings.
UOIT (7-5-4) will host McMaster (5-6-5) in the opening round of the playoffs, which is scheduled to take place on Wed. Oct. 23 at Oshawa Civic Fields. Kick-off for the Ridgebacks’ first-ever home playoff game is 3:30 p.m.
After a scoreless first half, Windsor would take advantage of their lone shot on goal in the 59th minute when freshman midfielder Becca Fuerth beat Laura Whelan (St. John's, N.F.) to put the Lancers up 1-0.
The score stayed that way until injury time. With the Ridgebacks pushing everyone forward, defender Kylie Bordeleau (Cambridge, Ont.) deked around a Lancer defender and rang her shot off the post and in the back of the net. The late goal was a little bit of redemption for the second year defender as she was stopped in a first half on a penalty kick.
Windsor goalkeeper Tara Benard-Rae was named the player of the game as she stopped five of six Ridgeback shots on target.
This marked the second consecutive game where UOIT scored a late goal to earn a tie as Shannon Lucas (Oshawa, Ont.) scored in the 89th minute in a 2-2 draw against York on Wednesday night.
This week’s match will be a rematch from one year ago, as McMaster defeated UOIT 2-1 in the first round of the playoffs in Hamilton. The Ridgebacks earned back-to-back wins over McMaster this year, defeating the Marauders by scores of 1-0 (Oct. 6) and 3-1 (Oct. 11).
With 25 points this season, UOIT topped their point total from one season ago where they posted 21 with a 6-7-3 record.
Source: UOIT Sports Info
October 19
Western 4 at Waterloo 0
The Waterloo women's soccer team gave up a goal in the opening minute of the first half as well as the second half in a lopsided 4-0 loss to the Western Mustangs on Saturday afternoon.
Four different Mustangs found the net as Western remained undefeated on the season (10-0-5). Scoring for Western was Jaynie Vandewalle (1'), Sam Taylor (46'), Anna Keller (60') and Becca Jefferson (87').
The Waterloo soccer program would like to thank their graduating seniors for their dedication and commitment to the Warriors.
The following players wore the black and gold for the final time on Warrior Field:
Melody Lee (Ajax) (71 games played)
Natalia Velasquez (Brampton) (42 games played)
Amy Brunetta (Kitchener) (45 games played)
Kaitlyn Barnett (Kitchener) (67 games played)
Anna Antczak (Waterloo) (47 games played)
Source: Waterloo Sports Info
Laurentian 0 at Queen’s 0
KINGSTON, Ont (October 19, 2013) - The Queen's women's soccer team tied the Laurentian Lady Vees (5-3-6) 0-0 on Saturday afternoon. That puts the Gaels to a 7-2-6 record on the season.
Both teams came into the game looking for a win as the OUA playoffs commence next week. The Gaels out shot the Lady Vees 7-3, with Riley Filion having three chances on net. Despite good opportunities, Queen's could not get it past Laurentian's Richele Greenwood, and the same went for the Lady Vees against the Gael's goaltender Michaila Frawley.
The Gaels are up against the Nipissing Lakers (3-7-4) Sunday October 19th at 12pm on West Campus Field.
Source: Queen’s Sports Info
Ryerson 1 at Carleton 3
Despite the dreary playing conditions and a rain soaked turf, the Carleton Ravens had several bright spots in their OUA East soccer game against the Ryerson Rams on Saturday night.
Carleton knocked off the visiting Rams 3-1 at Ravens Field and improved their overall record to (9-2-4) and 31 points.
The point total surpasses last year’s mark of 28.
The Ravens had a bit of a scare when Ryerson took a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute of play.
Carleton regrouped with goals by Veronica Mazzella (Sudbury, ON) 35th, Rozlyn Boutin (Edmonton, AB) 69th and Nicole Filipow (Edmonton, AB) 88th.
“In the first half our offensive play was a bit off but we focused on our passing accuracy in the final frame and it paid off with some quality chances and goals,” said Alex McNutt, Ravens head coach.
The Ravens close out their regular season on Sunday, October 20 against Toronto. Game time at Ravens Field is 1:00 p.m.
Source: Carleton Sports Info
Toronto 0 at Ottawa 1
The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's soccer team fell 1-0 to the No. 1 Ottawa Gee-Gees on Saturday night (Oct. 19) at Matt Anthony Field.
The loss marks Toronto's first since opening weekend and drops the Blues into third place, one point behind the Carleton Ravens.
U of T takes on the Ravens tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. The Blues need a win over Carleton to secure second place and a bye into the OUA quarter-final round.
Ottawa's Faythe Lou scored the game's lone goal in the 20th minute. Toronto goalkeeper Sara Petrucci made four saves in the loss.
Source: Toronto Sports Info
Brock 2 at McMaster 3
The Marauders staged a dramatic, second-half comeback to secure three crucial points and ensure a playoff berth. McMaster's women's soccer team scored three goals in the second half en route to a 3-2 victory over the Brock Badgers on Saturday.
First-year forward Anne Yeboah converted on a spot kick in the 80th minute to seal the result for the Marauders (5-5-5), who moved into a tie for fifth position in the OUA West standings with one game remaining. York's loss to Windsor ensured that the Lions cannot catch the Marauders for the sixth and final playoff seed in the division, as they now sit four points back.
The outlook was less sunny for McMaster in the first half of Saturday's game, as Brock midfielder Kara Ross struck to open the scoring in the 15th minute. Ross doubled her total -- and that of her team -- on the half hour, leaving the Marauders reeling in the face of the early onslaught.
But McMaster successfully regrouped at the interval, and struck back in the opening minute of the second half to cut the deficit in half. Maureen Mai headed across the box, and Stephanie Davis connected on a diving header of her own that beat the stunned Brock goalkeeper.
Rookie midfielder Cassidy Davis added a goal of her own in the 70th minute to level the match, and set the scene for Saturday's dramatic conclusion. A sloppy Badger challenge in the penalty box was immediately whistled, and Yeboah stepped up and calmly converted from the spot in the 80th minute to put McMaster ahead for the first time in the match.
One lead proved to be all that the Marauders needed, as they held on for three much-needed points on their home field.
McMaster will conclude its conference schedule and confirm its playoff seeding tomorrow afternoon, when the Marauders travel to Waterloo to take on the Laurier Golden Hawks. That game is slated for a 1:00 p.m. start.
Source: McMaster Sports Info
Windsor 1 at York 0
The York University Lions women's soccer team was unable to find the scoreboard on Saturday (Oct. 19) despite a multitude of opportunities, dropping a close 1-0 game to the Windsor Lancers at York Stadium.
The loss was costly in the race for the final playoff spots in the OUA West standings, as the Lancers secured their place and the Lions have officially been eliminated. At 3-5-7 for 16 points on the year, the Lions are four points back with just one game remaining and cannot catch the Lancers and McMaster Marauders.
A mild rain would persist throughout the game, creating slick conditions on the turf. But the weather wouldn't slow York's pace, as the team looked to be a step ahead of the Lancers in the early going. Relying on their speed up the sideline, Adeife Adekusibe (Nobleton, Ont.) kept Windsor goaltender Tara Benard-Rae (Mississauga, Ont.) busy with several early scoring chances. But Adekusibe would be unable to capitalize.
As the rush pushed the opposite way, York goalkeeper Sarah Fiorini (Newmarket, Ont.) would equally be up to the task, making an amazing leaping save in the 17th minute to preserve the draw.
The fast-break action continued for the majority of the first half, with both teams unable to convert. But in the 36th minute the Lancers were awarded a penalty kick on a questionable takedown inside the box, and Giulia Barile (Tecumseh, Ont.) sent her kick far right, just passed the outstretched arms of Fiorini, for the goal to put the Lancers up 1-0.
Adekusibe would break free again before half, feeding Nour Ghoneim (Aurora, Ont.) with a beautiful cross over the middle, but Ghoneim's shot sailed wide. The 1-0 score remained at the break.
The second would see the resurgence of the back and forth pace of the first, as both offences continued to test the goalies. The result was a highly contested 45 minutes. York would come close to erasing their deficit on multiple opportunities, compiling 15 shots in the game compared to just seven for Windsor.
As the final moments ticked away, the Lions continued to explode with a flurry of offence, almost scoring on three different opportunities. But ultimately they would be unable to solve Benard-Rae in net before time expired. Benard-Rae finished with eight saves, while Fiorini stopped five of the six shots she faced.
The Lions return to York Stadium on Sunday (Oct. 20) for the last game of the regular season against the Waterloo Warriors, at 1pm.
Source: York Sports Info
Laurier 0 at Guelph 0
Guelph, Ont. - The Guelph Gryphon's women's soccer team tied the Laurier Golden Hawks 0-0 at the Gryphon Soccer Complex on Saturday. The tie pushes the Gryphon's to 7-5-3 on the season while the Golden Hawks move to 8-3-4.
The weather was not very cooperative today. It was cold and raining out which made for pretty poor conditions for soccer. Players were slipping and falling to the ground. The game was closely contested with both teams playing an even first half.
Guelph's best chances came thanks to Victoria Cadman In the 13th minute Cadman crossed the ball over to Courtney Whiteside who put the ball just over the bar and out of play. Later in the 38th minute Cadman beat the Laurier defender to the ball and launched a shot jut wide of the net. The game was tied 0-0 at the half.
The second half was very similar to the first. The poor playing conditions made it a defensive stalemate. There were few offensive chances overall and neither team was able to capitalize on their rare chances. Goalie Alexandra King made several saves for the shut out. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
The Gryphons look to close out their regular season on a positive note tomorrow as they travel to London to face the Western Mustangs for a 1:00 p.m. start.
The Gryphons currently hold a home playoff game berth in the OUA West, sitting fourth in the division with a 7-5-3 record.
Source: Guelph Sports Info
Nipissing 3 at RMC 0