Marquee Matchup: Defending OUA champions top divisional rivals to open 2019 season
Oshawa, Ont. (via Ontario Tech Ridgebacks) – With the past five OUA east division titles going to the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks (2) and Ottawa Gee-Gees (3), the first soccer OUA Marquee Matchup of the season was slated to be one that didn’t disappoint.
The two squads’ performance lived up to the pre-match hype, but in the end, it was an 83rd minute PK goal by Gee-Gees Théa Nour that was the difference in the 1-0 victory for the Gee-Gees.
The host Ridgebacks were on their heels in the first half, being outshot 4-2, but made positive adjustments at the half to outshoot Ottawa 6-4 in the second. Even with the opportunities on both sides, neither team was able to break through until the dying minutes in the opener.
With numerous rookies on the pitch against the defending champions, head coach Peyvand Mossavat knew it would be a challenge, but felt his team had a positive start to conference play.
“I’m happy with the girls performance as it could’ve gone either way,” said Mossavat. “They’re (Ottawa) a great team and have always been. I think we had a little bit of nervousness for five or six kids playing for the first time in the OUA – we did well considering. I’m proud of them, but now it’s time to bounce back and go from there.”
In goal, rookie Alicia Chisholm (Woodbridge, Ont.) made eight saves in the loss for the Ridgebacks, while Margot Shore earned the clean sheet victory for the Gee-Gees to get the inaugural FISU University World Cup (Football) representatives off to a winning start in 2019.
