November 4, 2022
Banner Season: Recent conference champions collide for chance at soccer glory once again
Burlington, Ont. - Recent champions collide with another title on the line, as the 2019 victors, the York Lions, travel to Ottawa to take on the 2018 banner-winning Gee-Gees. Owning two of the last three trophies handed out on the provincial stage, and coming off respective nail-biting victories in their semifinal bouts, both sides will look to double down with another OUA Women's Soccer Championship for their program on Saturday (12:00pm) at Matt Anthony Field.
Championship Details
When: Saturday, November 5 (12:00pm)
Where: Matt Anthony Field
Participating Schools (2): Ottawa Gee-Gees (host); York Lions
Stream: oua.tv / cbcsports.ca / CBC Gem
Defending Champions: Queen's Gaels | ALL PAST CHAMPIONS
Student-Athletes to Watch:
Soumaya Bouak, Ottawa Gee-Gees | While the Gee-Gees boast one of the most prolific offensive producers up front, Bouak was proven to be an excellent offensive complement to Provost. With her first OUA all-star nod in tow on the heels of a career-best eight points on the year, including a pair of goals that showcased her ability to finish with her left or right, the Newmarket, Ont. local has been able to help take some of the pressure off of her MVP teammate from the midfield, a role that could prove even more important on the championship stage.
Jotam Chouhan, York Lions | The most valuable player in the West Division headlines her championship hopeful squad and does so as someone who has dominated the field for long periods during the 2022 season. Patrolling the midfield, putting pressure on the opposition, and peppering shots on net, the Caledon, Ont. product is able to put her mark on the game in many different ways, much like she did to help York secure a spot in the finale. One of two tying markers in the Wednesday's semifinal win over Queen's came off the foot of the senior midfielder and that goal-scoring touch remains just one of the many skills that the all-star student-athlete can bring to the table this weekend as well.
Katherine Delev, Ottawa Gee-Gees | A proven performer on the pitch, the now three-time OUA all-star has been a mainstay among the Garnet and Grey standouts over the years. As one of a handful of players who knows what the championship-winning moment is like, having been a part of the Gee-Gees 2018 run, the Chelsea, Que. native will provide valuable experience on the field when the game gets underway. And while she may not show up on the scoresheet, the fifth-year midfielder will remain a steady and reliable presence in the Ottawa midfield come Saturday.
Nia Fleming-Thompson, York Lions | It may be Fleming-Thompson's first time on the banner season stage, but if it goes anything like her first varsity season as a whole, it should be no problem for the Mississauga, Ont. local. The division's top rookie burst onto the scene with a sparkling nine goals in her debut campaign, a scoring touch that put her among the conference's elite therein. With goals in five or her final seven regular season outings, and another in her first postseason outing against Guelph, Fleming Thompson is coming into the finale in fine form and will be a threat to score each time she touches the ball for York.
Bianca Jack, York Lions | With plenty of anchors at every level of the pitch, Jack takes on that accolade on the back end for York. The sophomore defender joined her two aforementioned teammates as first team all-stars this season, and outside of two tough tilts with Guelph, did so as a key figure for a team that allowed just two goals against in their remaining 10 games. It will be no small feat to shut down the potent Gee-Gees offence that scored 41 goals (2nd in OUA) this season, especially for a second straight game, but Jack will be an integral figure for the Lions if they hope to do so this weekend.
Cassandra Provost, Ottawa Gee-Gees | There has been no one as adept at goal-scoring this season as the second-year Ottawa forward, so much so that she set a new single-season mark for the Gee-Gees. And with a string of awards to her name thus far, the program record holder is looking to add an OUA title to her 2022 trophy case on Saturday. With 18 goals during the regular season to go along with another brace in the team's quarterfinal win, the Acton Vale, Que. product will be poised to keep producing as the conference campaign comes to a close and will be a focal point for the York defence whenever the ball comes her way at Matt Anthony Field.
Storylines to Keep an Eye On:
While several new faces have joined the varsity ranks since these teams last took home OUA titles, the proven ability to compete and thrive within the championship setting cannot be ignored. Both teams understand what it takes to come away with the coveted conference trophy, as Ottawa looks to hit double digits in their OUA championship résumé, while York is hoping to find their fifth.
An underdog heading into their semifinal, the Lions pounced on opportunity when it came knocking in the dying minutes of extra time. They were quick to respond both times Queen's took the lead through regulation, but it was their turn to get the go-ahead marker in the 119th minute, and unlike their nationally-ranked foes, they would not relinquish the advantage. Despite not being favoured in their penultimate conference match, the championship-bound York team is by no means out of place against the country's best on the banner season stage. The team reeled off a 7-2-3 record, sitting behind only Western in the divisional ranks, and is just four years removed from tasting triumph with a women's soccer title of their own, proving that not only are they playing well heading into Saturday's final, but have a strong record to go along with it.
No. 4 Ottawa has been one of the top teams in the country all season, finding themselves ranked among the top-five U SPORTS squads from start to finish. In addition to their 9-1-2 conference record, the team also ventured down to Merida, Mexico toward the tail end of the regular season to win the FISU Americas title, proving they are up to the task when the stakes are high. They proved it once again in their semifinal tilt with the Mustangs, and even though it didn't come via their usual offensively-driven vehicle, Ottawa demonstrated that they could come through in a defensive battle as well. After being held off the scoresheet for just the second time all season in that semifinal tilt, the Gee-Gees stepped up to the spot in dominant fashion in the deciding penalties, as Cassidy Joslin shut the door against every Western shooter, while her teammates netted three tallies to collect the win.
Championship Details
When: Saturday, November 5 (12:00pm)
Where: Matt Anthony Field
Participating Schools (2): Ottawa Gee-Gees (host); York Lions
Stream: oua.tv / cbcsports.ca / CBC Gem
Defending Champions: Queen's Gaels | ALL PAST CHAMPIONS
Student-Athletes to Watch:
Soumaya Bouak, Ottawa Gee-Gees | While the Gee-Gees boast one of the most prolific offensive producers up front, Bouak was proven to be an excellent offensive complement to Provost. With her first OUA all-star nod in tow on the heels of a career-best eight points on the year, including a pair of goals that showcased her ability to finish with her left or right, the Newmarket, Ont. local has been able to help take some of the pressure off of her MVP teammate from the midfield, a role that could prove even more important on the championship stage.
Jotam Chouhan, York Lions | The most valuable player in the West Division headlines her championship hopeful squad and does so as someone who has dominated the field for long periods during the 2022 season. Patrolling the midfield, putting pressure on the opposition, and peppering shots on net, the Caledon, Ont. product is able to put her mark on the game in many different ways, much like she did to help York secure a spot in the finale. One of two tying markers in the Wednesday's semifinal win over Queen's came off the foot of the senior midfielder and that goal-scoring touch remains just one of the many skills that the all-star student-athlete can bring to the table this weekend as well.
Katherine Delev, Ottawa Gee-Gees | A proven performer on the pitch, the now three-time OUA all-star has been a mainstay among the Garnet and Grey standouts over the years. As one of a handful of players who knows what the championship-winning moment is like, having been a part of the Gee-Gees 2018 run, the Chelsea, Que. native will provide valuable experience on the field when the game gets underway. And while she may not show up on the scoresheet, the fifth-year midfielder will remain a steady and reliable presence in the Ottawa midfield come Saturday.
Nia Fleming-Thompson, York Lions | It may be Fleming-Thompson's first time on the banner season stage, but if it goes anything like her first varsity season as a whole, it should be no problem for the Mississauga, Ont. local. The division's top rookie burst onto the scene with a sparkling nine goals in her debut campaign, a scoring touch that put her among the conference's elite therein. With goals in five or her final seven regular season outings, and another in her first postseason outing against Guelph, Fleming Thompson is coming into the finale in fine form and will be a threat to score each time she touches the ball for York.
Bianca Jack, York Lions | With plenty of anchors at every level of the pitch, Jack takes on that accolade on the back end for York. The sophomore defender joined her two aforementioned teammates as first team all-stars this season, and outside of two tough tilts with Guelph, did so as a key figure for a team that allowed just two goals against in their remaining 10 games. It will be no small feat to shut down the potent Gee-Gees offence that scored 41 goals (2nd in OUA) this season, especially for a second straight game, but Jack will be an integral figure for the Lions if they hope to do so this weekend.
Cassandra Provost, Ottawa Gee-Gees | There has been no one as adept at goal-scoring this season as the second-year Ottawa forward, so much so that she set a new single-season mark for the Gee-Gees. And with a string of awards to her name thus far, the program record holder is looking to add an OUA title to her 2022 trophy case on Saturday. With 18 goals during the regular season to go along with another brace in the team's quarterfinal win, the Acton Vale, Que. product will be poised to keep producing as the conference campaign comes to a close and will be a focal point for the York defence whenever the ball comes her way at Matt Anthony Field.
Storylines to Keep an Eye On:
While several new faces have joined the varsity ranks since these teams last took home OUA titles, the proven ability to compete and thrive within the championship setting cannot be ignored. Both teams understand what it takes to come away with the coveted conference trophy, as Ottawa looks to hit double digits in their OUA championship résumé, while York is hoping to find their fifth.
An underdog heading into their semifinal, the Lions pounced on opportunity when it came knocking in the dying minutes of extra time. They were quick to respond both times Queen's took the lead through regulation, but it was their turn to get the go-ahead marker in the 119th minute, and unlike their nationally-ranked foes, they would not relinquish the advantage. Despite not being favoured in their penultimate conference match, the championship-bound York team is by no means out of place against the country's best on the banner season stage. The team reeled off a 7-2-3 record, sitting behind only Western in the divisional ranks, and is just four years removed from tasting triumph with a women's soccer title of their own, proving that not only are they playing well heading into Saturday's final, but have a strong record to go along with it.
No. 4 Ottawa has been one of the top teams in the country all season, finding themselves ranked among the top-five U SPORTS squads from start to finish. In addition to their 9-1-2 conference record, the team also ventured down to Merida, Mexico toward the tail end of the regular season to win the FISU Americas title, proving they are up to the task when the stakes are high. They proved it once again in their semifinal tilt with the Mustangs, and even though it didn't come via their usual offensively-driven vehicle, Ottawa demonstrated that they could come through in a defensive battle as well. After being held off the scoresheet for just the second time all season in that semifinal tilt, the Gee-Gees stepped up to the spot in dominant fashion in the deciding penalties, as Cassidy Joslin shut the door against every Western shooter, while her teammates netted three tallies to collect the win.
