Matsukubo, Piccioli named OUA athletes of the week
Burlington, Ont. – Jenna Matsukubo and Luca Piccioli have been named OUA athletes of the week for the period ending November 5, 2023.
Jenna Matsukubo, Soccer, Ottawa Gee-Gees
Running into championship weekend against her former team, Jenna Matsukubo helped the Ottawa Gee-Gees claim victory over the Queen’s Gaels at the 2023 OUA Women’s Soccer Championship.
The senior forward stepped up for her Garnet and Grey squad as they defended home turf on Saturday afternoon against her former team from Kingston. After taking an early lead in the first half in an intense battle, Matsukubo then took centre stage with a beautiful individual effort that doubled her team’s lead early in the second half.
She later showcased her top-flight speed by racing down the edge and drawing a foul in the box, setting up her teammate’s goal via the ensuring penalty, before wrapping up the game with her second of the match to seal the team’s win.
Selected as the Gee-Gees game MVP, Matsukubo’s brace and her overall performance played a pivotal role in bringing home the team’s 11th OUA crown.
Luca Piccioli, Soccer, Carleton Ravens
With a championship on the line, Luca Piccioli proved to be a game-changer for the Ravens en route them bring home a Blackwood Cup victory.
The Ottawa, Ont. midfielder helped defend his home turf against the York Lions, taking on a starring role in the conference’s final game. After helping carry Carleton through their semifinal against Brock, Piccioli stepped up with two goals and an assist for his team in the finale. His first helped the black birds get back on even ground after York opened the scoring, coming via a 34-yard free kick strike.
Further etching his name into the game’s final scoresheet, the junior next set up his teammate on the game-winning goal in the 67th minute, before sending the crowd into a frenzy with a sure-footed finish for the 89th minute insurance marker.
The first team all-star proved why he was honored as such, anchoring Carleton’s first banner win since 2019.
