AROUND OUA: Lancers continue to impress; remain undefeated

SCOREBOARD

Guelph 0 @ Windsor 1

Nipissing 1 @ Carleton 1

Laurier 3 @ Algoma 0

York 0 @ Western 0

McMaster 2 @ Waterloo 0

Laurentian 0 @ Ottawa 2

Toronto 0 @ Queen's 4

Ryerson 3 @ RMC 1

Lancers continue to impress; remain undefeated

The Lancer women's soccer team continues to impress and remains undefeated on the season following two solid home games this weekend at Alumni Field.
 
With a 1-1 tie against the York Lions on Saturday and a 1-0 win over the Guelph Gryphons on Sunday, the Lancers are 5-0-4 on the year and are tied for second place in the OUA west division with the Western Mustangs.
 
Windsor's toughest competition came on Saturday against the No.3 Lions. With both teams entering the game undefeated, the stakes were high and the tension was apparent.
 
Cassie Chretien had a great opportunity for the Lancers in the 16th minute after a great through ball was just intercepted off a York defender's extended foot.
 
York held a slight offensive advantage in the first half as the Lancers struggled with their passing but fortunately for the Blue & Gold, the Lions were unable to capitalize on any opportunities.
 
Just shy of the 50 minute mark, Windsor's Abby Hunt collected the ball 10 yards before the centre line, and on a whim took an ambitious shot from centre field. The ball landed in the back of the net, out of reach of York goaltender Taylor Grant.
 
After two great saves by Lancer goaltender Krystin Lawrence an unfortunate deflection made its way to York's Stephanie Lamanna who finally got it past Lawrence to the game in the 78th minute.
 
The Lancers had the opportunity to win the game in extra time when they were awarded a penalty shot, however, Becca Feurth's shot went wide to keep the game tied at one a piece.
 
On Sunday, Chretien again had the Lancers first scoring opportunity but was able to capitalize on this attempt. After firing a shot at Guelph goaltender Holly Miller, she got her own rebound and put it into the back of the net for the game's only goal.
 
Lawrence recorded both wins in net for the Lancers.
 
Windsor now travels to Brock and McMaster for their second contest against each school this season. The Lancers face the Badgers on Saturday October 1st at 1:00pm in St. Catharine's and the Marauders on Sunday in Hamilton.
 
In their previous meetings, the Lancers shut out the Badgers 2-0 in their season opener and followed that up with a 1-1 tie against the Marauders.

Source: Windsor Lancers

Lakers earn 1-1 draw with Carleton

OTTAWA, ON — The Ravens women's soccer team conceded a late tying goal to Nipissing in a 1-1 draw on Sunday, missing an opportunity to gain a full three points at home.

The two sides grinded out a scoreless draw in the opening forty-five minutes, with Carleton goaltender Rada Mintchev (Ottawa, ON) making a few important stops in the first half.

The Ravens appeared to be heading towards a win as Tori MacFarlane (Kars, ON) put Carleton ahead 1-0 in the 63rd minute, firing in an excellently placed cross from striker Nicole Filipow (Edmonton, AB). The play began from the back when defender Melat Cherent (Ottawa, ON) intercepted a Nipissing pass before delivering a strong 30-yard through ball up to Filipow, who then fed MacFarlane for her second goal in the last two games.

Minutes later, MacFarlane continued to threaten in the offensive zone, nearly setting up a second Carleton goal as she dangled around a Lakers defender before her attempt to centre the ball to two teammates in front of goal was intercepted by Nipissing goalie Mykaela Volpe.

Carleton had put in a solid effort all game, outclassing the Lakers in a physical contest, but Nipissing refused to back down.

In the 78th minute, Laker Brittany Burns saw Rada Mintchev off of her line before blasting a 30-yard cracker at goal where the Ravens keeper tried to parry the ball over the net, but instead it hit the bottom of the crossbar and fell in over the goal line to tie the game.

The final minutes produced opportunities for both sides, but neither could come up with a winner.

Carleton (5-2-2) currently sits in 4th position in the OUA East division following a three-game stretch that has seen the team go 1-1-1. The Ravens remain a comfortable five points clear of 5th place Laurentian with seven games left to play in the regular season.

Next Friday, Carleton travels to RMC to face the Palladins, before hosting the Queen's Gaels on Sunday, September 2.

Source: Carleton Ravens

New faces step up in Golden Hawks win over Algoma

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. (Sunday, September 25, 2016) - Rachael Whiteley scored twice and Sally Marshall had a goal and an assist as the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks' women's soccer team picked up another win in Sault Ste. Marie on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Algoma Thunderbirds by a score of 3-0.

From the opening kick it was apparent that the Thunderbirds (0-10-0) were ready to put up a stronger resistance following a lopsided 8-0 defeat Saturday. This was shown in a scoreless first half-hour of the match.

The Hawks (4-1-4) were up to the task however, and it was Marshall, a native of Waterloo, Ont., who was able to find the all-important breakthrough in the 30th minute to put the Hawks ahead. The goal was not only Marshall's first goal of the season, but also her first goal as a Golden Hawk.

The score remained at 1-0 for the majority of the match before the Hawks received offence from another fresh source as midfielder Rachael Whiteley (Toronto, Ont.) scored her first two goals as a Hawk in quick succession in the 71st and 83rd minute. These insurance goals provided Laurier the separation to cruise easily to the finish line and back-to-back wins.

Marshall and Claire Siqueira (Richmond B.C.) picked up the helpers on the late goals.

The final shot tally read 9-3 for the Hawks. Ashley Almeida of Burlington, Ont., picked up her fourth shutout of the season, ranking her second in the OUA in that category. Lauren Moore (Mississauga, Ont.) got the start in goal for Algoma Sunday and stopped six of nine shots that came her way.

The Golden Hawks will look to continue their balanced attack in a pair of upcoming games this week. Laurier has two marquee home games upcoming as they face the Waterloo Warriors (0-7-1) in the Battle of Waterloo Wednesday night at 6 p.m. and clash with the OUA West-leading York Lions (6-0-3) on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Both games will be played at University Stadium.

Tickets for all upcoming games are available online or at the University Stadium box office.

Source: Laurier Golden Hawks

Western remains undefeated after draw with York

LONDON, Ont. – The Western Mustangs kept their undefeated record in tact on Sunday, playing to a 0-0 draw with the York Lions at Mustangs Field.

"It was a good opportunity today for us to get some new faces in the lineup," said Mustangs head coach Martin Painter, commenting on how both teams may be fatigued after playing yesterday as well. "It showed the depth we have, but also showed some of the character we have. It was a tough 90 minute battle".

With both teams earning a point, York remains atop the standings in the West with a 6-0-3 record, while the Mustangs hold down second place at 5-0-4.

Megan Girardi got the start in net for the Mustangs, saving both of York's shots on target to preserve a clean sheet. Four Mustangs players tallied one shot on target, with defender Kym Van Duynhoven and striker Vanessa Guglietti tallying two total shots each.

York goalkeeper Tayor Grant kept the Mustangs offence scoreless with four saves, and forward Ashley Nater accounted for both of York's shots on target.

Both Western and York threatened to score late in the game, with eight combined shot attempts and all four corners occurring in the second half.

Western knew that they were in for a tightly contested game against the West-leading Lions, an opportunity players and coaches alike embraced. "We were pretty pumped," freshman midfielder Nikki Balachorek shared after the game, "they have a big hype around them, so it was really exciting."

The Mustangs will be back in action on Friday, Septepmber 30, for a Reunion Weekend matchup with the McMaster Marauders. Game time is set for 6 p.m. at Mustangs Field.

Source: Western Mustangs

Persico keeps second consecutive clean sheet, Mac shuts out Waterloo 2-0

Having tasted victory for the first time in midweek, the Marauders are beginning to develop something of a habit. McMaster continued their winning ways Sunday with a 2-0 shutout of the Warriors in Waterloo, just days after notching their first victory of 2016 in St. Catharines.

Marisa Bremner and Maila Carboni had goals for the Marauders (2-5-2), who gained ground on the crucial sixth position in the OUA West division with the win.

Mac sits four points back of Guelph for the final playoff spot in the division entering the back half of the OUA schedule.

Keeping her second clean sheet in as many games, rookie goalkeeper Deanna Persico turned away eight Waterloo shots Sunday.

There was nothing to choose between the sides until the late stages, as Bremner broke the deadlock in the 80th minute.

Adding her team-leading fourth goal of the season, Carboni put the game beyond doubt as the teams entered injury time.

UP NEXT: McMaster travels to London to battle the Western Mustangs on Friday, September 30, before returning to Ron Joyce Stadium for a Homecoming weekend clash with the Windsor Lancers on Sunday, October 2.

Source: McMaster Marauders

Successful last weekend at home for the Gee-Gees

The Gee-Gees women's soccer team finished a weekend of matches at home with a 2-0 win over the Laurentian Voyageurs on Sunday afternoon. Laurentian was a challenge offensively and defensively but Ottawa came through with another shutout that was split between goalkeepers Julie-Anne Lamarche and Margot Shore. Both goals came in the second half with midfielder Katherine Bearne assisting on the first and scoring the second.

The Laurentian Voyageurs came out strong on both ends of the field in Sunday's game. They made it difficult for the no. 2 nationally ranked Gee-Gees to score by blocking shots and stopping plays. "I think we have especially been doing well with being under pressure and playing in closer games or, at least, score-wise closer games," explained Katherine Bearne, who was chosen as the Ottawa MVP of the game. "We're doing well not letting the pressure get to us and having belief in our team and our style of play that we'll pull through in the end." The opening goal came off of a corner kick from Bearne early in the second half. 

Ottawa seems to thrive in the second half and it was no different in the match on Sunday. Although they had more shots on goal in the first, the Gee-Gees made them count after halftime. "I was happy with our performance," commented head coach Steve Johnson, "The second half has been a good half for us most of the season." The Gee-Gees have scored 19 of their total 26 goals this season in the last 45 minutes of play.

Sunday's first goal was scored by striker Sophie Curtis, assisted by Katherine Bearne. Bearne also scored the second goal off a pass from Kayla Da Costa-Pacheco.

The Gee-Gees (9-0-0) will face off against the Queen's Gaels (6-2-0) on Friday night at the Richardson Stadium in Kingston.

Source: Ottawa Gee-Gees

Almeida and Wolever carry Gaels to 4-0 win over Toronto

KINGSTON Ont. (September 25, 2016) – The Queen's Gaels (6-2-0) came out on top in a 4-0 game against the Toronto Varsity Blues (3-4-2) at Richardson Stadium to pick up their second win of the weekend and move to 2-0 at their new home.

GAME FLOW 
Beginning the first half, the Queen's started off strong with a shot from the right of the goal by Lauren Winquist (London, Ont.) only a minute into the game. As the match progressed Madison Tyrell (White Rock) showed her skill as a keeper with four saves, all within the first 20 minutes of the half. The Varsity Blues kept the pressure on but the Queen's maintained their composure and demonstrated their skill as the game continued.

The Gaels had many scoring opportunities with 10 shots in the first half mainly coming off the feet of Jenny Wolever (Toronto), Rachel Radu (Ottawa), Lidia Bradau (Woodbridge, Ont.) and Sarah Nixon (Oakville, Ont.). It took until the 40th minute of the first half, but it was Laura Callender (Ottawa) who placed a goal into the top left corner of the net with an assist from Rachel Radu (Ottawa, Ont.).
 
In the second half the Gaels stepped up their game, creating more offensive pressure on the Varsity Blues. Only four minutes into the half, Brittany Almeida (Kingston, Ont.) put the ball into the back of the net after a cross from Claudia Glasspoole (Calgary), making the score 2-0 for the Gaels. Keeping up the intensity Tyrell made a great save from a hard shot from the inside right of the 18 yard box. Wolever stepped up to the plate in the 75th minute, just missing the wide open net after the Toronto goalie fumbled the ball in front of her. To make up for her unfortunate miss, she came back with a goal placed in the bottom left corner of the net, bringing a momentum to the Gaels that could not be stopped. Only a minute after Wolever's goal, Almeida notched her second goal of the game, sending the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net with an assist by Wolever. To end off the game Tyrell made another great save to preserve the clean sheet, holding the score at 4-0 Gaels.

BY THE NUMBERS
14 – fourteen shots on goal for the Gaels
7 – seven saves for Madison Tyrell
4 – four goals for the Gaels
1 - One yellow card for the Toronto Varsity Blues
 
FINAL SAY
"They[Almeida and Wolever] have terrific talent, obviously they are tremendous one-v-one players and players that can beat you in a variety of different ways. We look for more good things from them coming up. I thought in the first 20 minutes the ladies struggled a bit, but after that in the second half they played excellent. They found wide players and pockets of space to sit in and get plays going and do a lot of good things."  – Dave McDowell

UP NEXT
The Gaels take on the Ottawa Gee-Gees (8-0-1) on home turf at Richardson Stadium on Friday September 30^th at 7pm

Source: Queen's Gaels

Rams back in win column with road victory over RMC

KINGSTON, Ont. - The Ryerson Rams women's soccer team put forth a strong second half Sunday afternoon to record their third win of the season in a 3-1 final over the RMC Paladins. The three points keeps the Rams even alongside the Nipissing Lakers and Toronto Varsity Blues for sixth place in the East, with all three teams sporting a 3-5-1 record on the season. 

BOXSCORE

Both squads rolled into Sunday's match with a strong emphasis on offensive production.  The Rams and the Paladins had failed to register a single goal in four straight games coming into the contest.

Sophomore Alessia Carvalho put the scoreless streak to rest rather early for the Rams in this one, after an 11th minute strike found the twine for the game's opening goal. 

The Paladins answered just 20 minutes later with some long-awaited offense of their own. Forward Reina Cho evened things at one in the 34th minute and sent the game into halftime deadlocked in a 1-1 draw. 

After an even first half, the Rams asserted their dominance in the final 45. In the 56th minute, Sidnee Richardson took the ball off the corner and deflected it in with her body.  Junior Soraya El-houni then joined the party in the 76th minute with her first goal of the 2016 season, to lead the Rams to the 3-1 victory over the Paladins. 

Rams goalkeeper Britney Clendenan made a number of key saves in her 90 minutes of action and finished the game with five saves for the win.

With the loss, the Paladins move to a dismal 0-8 on the season and remain in search for their first points of 2016.

The Rams kick things off mid-week with a Wednesday evening contest against Trent University in Peterborough, Ont.  The women then travel to Oshawa, Ont. the following evening for a clash with the UOIT Ridgebacks. Both games are scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. first touch.

Source: Ryerson Rams