October 27, 2009
OUA W-SOCCER ROUNDUP: UNRANKED MARAUDERS UPSET NO. 10 GOLDEN HAWKS TO CONCLUDE REGULAR SEASON
WATERLOO, Ont. - In their final weekend of regular-season play, the visiting McMaster Marauders (6-5-3) upset the No. 10 Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (9-3-2) by a score of 3-2 thanks to an 89th minute goal.
The teams swapped goals throughout the game, beginning with a tally from Laurier's Heather Malizia (Burlington, Ont.) in the 30th minute.
McMaster's Maria Cusimano (North York, Ont.) responded with a goal of her own minutes before the half.
Laurier regained the lead midway throughout the second-half thanks to Ali McKee's (Bracebridge, Ont.) team-leading eighth goal of the season.
The Marauders refused to back down and Hayley Marler (Ancaster, Ont.) tied the match in the 87th minute.
What looked like a sure tie turned into a victory for the Marauders when Chantal Malysa (Calgary, Alta.) found the back of the net in the game's final minute.
By virtue of their regular-season second-place finish, the Golden Hawks have a bye through the first round of playoffs and will host a quarter-final on Oct. 31.
The Marauders host the Western Mustangs in a Wednesday night playoff match.
TORONTO 6, RMC 0
The Toronto Varsity Blues (11-1-4) defeated the RMC Paladins (3-12-1) 6-0 on Saturday at Varsity Stadium.
The Blues wasted no time early in the game as Mel Seabra (Brampton, Ont.) found the net in the third minute. Jessica Fantozzi (Richmond Hill, Ont.) scored her team-leading seventh goal only minutes later and West Vancouver, B.C. native Mel Bowen would make it 3-0 before the half time whistle.
The play would remain the same throughout the second half, as the Blues scored three times in a 10-minute span to cruise to victory. Natalie Law (Unionville, Ont.) tallied a goal in the 72nd minute, while London, Ont. native Jennifer Siu added one in the 74th. Christina Fantozzi (Richmond Hill, Ont.) would round out the scoring in the 77th minute.
Toronto's second-place regular season standing earns them a bye through the first round of playoffs. They will host a quarter-final match on Oct. 31.
The RMC Paladins failed to qualify for the post-season.
LAURENTIAN 4, TRENT 1
The Laurentian Lady Vees (6-8-2) defeated the host Trent Excalibur (1-14-1) 4-1 on Saturday. The visitors were led by Katie Larue of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. who netted a hat-trick. The win clinched a spot in the playoffs for Laurentian.
In a game that was blue-and-gold from the get go, Larue was the stand out. Rookie Cailey Robertson of Milton, Ont. scored the fourth goal for the Lady Vees who had no trouble clinching a playoff berth for the second consecutive year.
Trent's regular-season record failed to earn them a spot in the post-season.
Laurentian faces the Ottawa Gee-Gees in first-round playoff action on Oct. 28.
QUEEN'S 2, CARLETON 0
The No. 3 nationally-ranked Queen's Gaels (13-1-2) wrapped up a dominant regular season as they defeated the Carleton Ravens (6-8-2) by a score of 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.
The Gaels clinch first place in the OUA East division with the victory and receive an automatic bye into the OUA quarter-finals.
Queen's got off to a quick start as they opened the scoring just eight minutes into the contest. Kelli Chamberlain of North Bay, Ont., found the back of the net for her sixth goal of the season to put the Gaels in front.
The Gaels would continue to control possession in the opening half but Carleton keeper Rachel Bedek (St. Thomas, Ont.) kept the Ravens in the match.
The second half saw Queen's backline shutdown any offensive opportunity that the Ravens could muster and eventually, the Gaels put the game out of reach in the 82nd minute. Renee MacLellan of Kingston, Ont., playing in her last regular season game, scored her team-leading 12th goal of the season to ice the victory.
Elena Corry of Hamilton, Ont., picked up the Gaels 10th straight shutout.
The Ravens open their post-season with a visit to North Bay to take on the Nipissing Lakers on Oct. 28.
GUELPH 1, WESTERN 1
Rookies made the difference on Saturday, as the Guelph Gryphons (1-8-5) and the Western Mustangs (6-7-1) played to a 1-1 draw thanks to goals from two first-year players.
Rookie Lauren Hampton (Calgary, Alta.) opened the scoring for the Gryphons in the 30th minute, giving her squad the lead heading into half-time.
The Mustangs responded early in the second-half as rookie Ginger Basnett (Prince George, B.C.) found the back of the net.
With their regular-season record, the Gryphons did not qualify for the post-season.
The Mustangs visit McMaster on Wednesday to take on the Marauders in first-round playoff action. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.
YORK 4, WINDSOR 2
Ami Otaki (Kanagawa, Japan) turned in yet another multi-goal game as she notched a pair of late markers in the 85th and 90th minutes to propel the No. 9 York Lions to victory.
Windsor jumped out into the lead in the first half, as Candace Garrod (Kingsville, Ont.) struck in the 13th minute and again in the 19th to spot her team to a 2-0 lead before the game went to intermission. But the Lions would not go quietly.
Alicia Brown (Brampton, Ont.) started the comeback in the 57th minute, and fleet-footed Nicole Markowitz (Toronto) knotted things at two in the 75th minute before Otaki's late-game heroics put the Lancers away for good.
The Lancers visit the Brock Badgers in a first-round playoff match-up, while the Lions have a week off before hosting a quarter-final on Oct. 31.
BROCK 1, WATERLOO 0
The Brock Badgers (7-4-3) narrowly defeated the Waterloo Warriors (1-11-2) on Saturday.
The lone goal was scored by veteran Ali Gartley (Camlachie, Ont.) in the 55th minute.
By virtue of their last-place regular-season finish, the Warriors do not qualify for the post-season.
The Badgers host the Windsor Lancers in their first playoff game on Wednesday Oct. 28. Kick-off is slated for 2 p.m.
OTTAWA 2, RYERSON 0
The No. 5 Ottawa Gee-Gees (11-2-3) recorded their 10th shutout of the season Saturday afternoon as they defeated the Ryerson Rams (4-8-4) by a 2-0 score in Toronto in their second-last regular season game.
After a scoreless first half, fourth-year defence Dominique Falardeau (Gatineau, Que.) scored two goals in the second to lead the Gee-Gees to their eleventh victory of the season.
Recording the shutout for the Gee-Gees was second-year goalkeeper Mélissa Pesant (Gatineau, Que.).
While Ryerson's season is over, Ottawa looks to begin a successful playoff run with a match against the Laurentian Lady Vees on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
NIPISSING 3, TRENT 1
After a scoreless first-half, the Nipissing Lakers (6-7-3) put on an offensive show, scoring three consecutive second-half goals to beat the Trent Excalibur (1-14-1).
Standout striker Leesa Church (North Bay, Ont.) notched two goals for the Lakers, while midfielder Amy Laidlaw (Brampton, Ont.) added one.
Trent's Brittany MacIntosh (St. Catherines, Ont.) ruined Nipissing's looming shutout, scoring in the 86th minute.
Trent's regular-season record was not enough to boost them into a playoff spot. Nipissing hosts Carleton on Wednesday in first-round playoff action.
RYERSON 4, RMC 0
The offence exploded for the Ryerson Rams (4-8-4) as it made sure the team finished the season on a high note, defeating the RMC Paladins (3-12-1) by a 4-0 score at BMO Field on Sunday in their final game of the season.
Ryerson controlled play in the first half and had several chances but couldn't find the back of the net until the 44th minute when Alana Marinucci (Richmond Hill, Ont.) found the ball after a scramble in the RMC crease and scored, giving the Rams a one-goal halftime lead.
It only took until the 53rd minute for the Rams to double their lead when Marinucci scored her second of the game. Marinucci picked up the ball in RMC territory and lobbed a hard shot over the Paladins keeper Olivia Clarke (Caledon East, Ont.) and into the net.
Ryerson continued to press offensively, capitalizing for its third goal in the 56th minute when Andrea Raso (Toronto) wired a hard shot from the top of RMC's 18-yard-box and into the back of the net.
The Rams would add to their lead in the 72nd minute when veteran Jassie Hayer (Ajax, Ont.) playing in her last game at Ryerson, went out in style with her first goal of the season. Hayer was taken down by a Paladin defender in the 18-yard-box and the Rams were awarded a free kick. After a short pass on the free kick, Hayer made no mistake finding the back of the net to give the Rams a 4-0 lead.
Ryerson will miss out on the playoffs after finishing seventh in the OUA East, four points behind the fifth and sixth seeds.
YORK 2, WESTERN 1
The York Lions (11-2-1) defeated the Western Mustangs (6-7-1) en route to a first-place OUA West regular-season finish.
York's Alicia Donaldson (Mississauga, Ont.) put the Lions in the lead early in the first half, however, Western's Erin Grand (Toronto) was able to find the equalizer before the half was out.
Looking to finish the season on an eight-game winning streak, the Lions continued to press in the second half, leading to another strike from Donaldson in the 68th minute that found the back of the net.
The tight race with Laurier for top spot in the division fizzled down the stretch and the Lions ended in first by five points.
York hosts a divisional quarter-final on Oct. 31 while Western faces McMaster in a first-round playoff game on Oct. 28.
GUELPH 2, WINDSOR 2
The Windsor Lancers (4-5-5) rounded out their 2009 regular season with a 2-2 tie against the Guelph Gryphons (1-8-5) on Sunday afternoon on Alumni Field.
Candace Garrod (Kingsville, Ont.) scored the game's opening goal to give the Lancers the 1-0 lead.
The Gryphons would respond with a marker of their own in the opening half as Laura Hampton (Calgary, Alta.) scored to tie the game 1-1.
The two teams would trade goals in the second half, as Sarah Kox (Denfield, Ont.) scored for Windsor and Heather Kendall (Newmarket, Ont.) scored for Guelph to make the final score 2-2.
With the tie, Windsor finishes the regular season with a 4-5-2 record and will be the No. 6 seed in the OUA Playoffs.
The Lancers are now set to travel to St. Catherines on Wednesday to battle the No. 3 seeded Brock Badgers in the first round of the playoffs.
BROCK 1, LAURIER 1
The Brock Badgers (7-4-3) ended the 2009 regular season with a 1-1 against the No. 10-ranked Laurier Golden Hawks (9-3-2). With the victory Brock captures third place in the OUA West Division and will host the sixth place Windsor Lancers on Oct. 28 in the first round of the playoffs.
Just one minute into the contest Laurier's Ali McKee (Bracebridge, Ont.) would beat Brock goalkeeper Syreeta Rhoden (Niagara Falls, Ont.) for her team leading ninth goal of the season. McKee finished the 2009 season tied for fourth place in OUA scoring.
In the 69th minute, Brock rookie Lindsay McDonald (Burlington, Ont.) would tie the game 1-1 with her third goal of the campaign.
By virtue of their second-place regular-season finish, the Golden Hawks have a bye through the first-round of playoffs and will start their playoff run by hosting a quarter-final on Oct. 31.
MCMASTER 3, WATERLOO 0
The McMaster Marauders (6-5-3) easily handled the Waterloo Warriors (1-11-2) on Sunday to conclude their regular-season.
Veteran Samantha Batten (Hamilton, Ont.) notched two goals and Chantal Malysa (Calgary, Alta.) added a single.
The Warriors do not qualify for the post-season and the Marauders will host the Western Mustangs in a first-round match-up on Oct. 28.
OTTAWA 1, TORONTO 1
The University of Toronto Varsity Blues (11-1-4) played to a 1-1 draw with the Ottawa Gee-Gees (11-2-3) on Sunday, earning a second-place finish and a first round bye in the OUA playoffs.
Both teams started out the contest tentatively, neither side wanting to give up the first goal. However, after a giveaway by Ottawa keeper Melissa Peasant (Gatineau, Ont.) at the top of the penalty box, Jennifer Siu was left with an open cage. The London, Ont. native made no mistake, steadily placing the ball over the line to give the Blues a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute.
After a scramble in front of the Toronto goal, Tara Condos (Strathroy, Ont.) was left with enough space to get a shot away. She found the high right corner, tying the contest at 1-1 going into half time.
Knowing they needed a win to guarantee a first round bye, Ottawa came out strong early in the second half. Courtney Luscombe (Ottawa, Ont.) was strong in the forward line, consistently keeping the Blues defenders on their toes. Luscombe looked to have a break away as she received the ball in open space with her eye on goal. However, Lashley sprinted back and stripped the ball from the Ottawa native just inside the penalty area.
The Gee-Gees maintained the pressure, and Elise Desjardins (Cumberland, Ont.) nearly put them ahead as she sent a low shot on goal. Mary Anne Barnes (Scarborough, Ont.) was just able to get her fingertips on the ball, tipping it just wide of the right post.
Although the Gee-Gees continuously pressured the Blues, their defence would not break, and they would hold on for a 1-1 draw.
With the tie game, the Blues finish in second place in the OUA East and earn a bye through the first round of the playoffs. Toronto will host their quarter-final match up on Saturday at Varsity Centre.
Source: OUA Communications with files from Toronto Varsity Blues, Laurentian Voyageurs, Queen's Gaels, York Lions, Ottawa Gee-Gees, Ryerson Rams, Windsor Lancers, Brock Badgers
The teams swapped goals throughout the game, beginning with a tally from Laurier's Heather Malizia (Burlington, Ont.) in the 30th minute.
McMaster's Maria Cusimano (North York, Ont.) responded with a goal of her own minutes before the half.
Laurier regained the lead midway throughout the second-half thanks to Ali McKee's (Bracebridge, Ont.) team-leading eighth goal of the season.
The Marauders refused to back down and Hayley Marler (Ancaster, Ont.) tied the match in the 87th minute.
What looked like a sure tie turned into a victory for the Marauders when Chantal Malysa (Calgary, Alta.) found the back of the net in the game's final minute.
By virtue of their regular-season second-place finish, the Golden Hawks have a bye through the first round of playoffs and will host a quarter-final on Oct. 31.
The Marauders host the Western Mustangs in a Wednesday night playoff match.
TORONTO 6, RMC 0
The Toronto Varsity Blues (11-1-4) defeated the RMC Paladins (3-12-1) 6-0 on Saturday at Varsity Stadium.
The Blues wasted no time early in the game as Mel Seabra (Brampton, Ont.) found the net in the third minute. Jessica Fantozzi (Richmond Hill, Ont.) scored her team-leading seventh goal only minutes later and West Vancouver, B.C. native Mel Bowen would make it 3-0 before the half time whistle.
The play would remain the same throughout the second half, as the Blues scored three times in a 10-minute span to cruise to victory. Natalie Law (Unionville, Ont.) tallied a goal in the 72nd minute, while London, Ont. native Jennifer Siu added one in the 74th. Christina Fantozzi (Richmond Hill, Ont.) would round out the scoring in the 77th minute.
Toronto's second-place regular season standing earns them a bye through the first round of playoffs. They will host a quarter-final match on Oct. 31.
The RMC Paladins failed to qualify for the post-season.
LAURENTIAN 4, TRENT 1
The Laurentian Lady Vees (6-8-2) defeated the host Trent Excalibur (1-14-1) 4-1 on Saturday. The visitors were led by Katie Larue of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. who netted a hat-trick. The win clinched a spot in the playoffs for Laurentian.
In a game that was blue-and-gold from the get go, Larue was the stand out. Rookie Cailey Robertson of Milton, Ont. scored the fourth goal for the Lady Vees who had no trouble clinching a playoff berth for the second consecutive year.
Trent's regular-season record failed to earn them a spot in the post-season.
Laurentian faces the Ottawa Gee-Gees in first-round playoff action on Oct. 28.
QUEEN'S 2, CARLETON 0
The No. 3 nationally-ranked Queen's Gaels (13-1-2) wrapped up a dominant regular season as they defeated the Carleton Ravens (6-8-2) by a score of 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.
The Gaels clinch first place in the OUA East division with the victory and receive an automatic bye into the OUA quarter-finals.
Queen's got off to a quick start as they opened the scoring just eight minutes into the contest. Kelli Chamberlain of North Bay, Ont., found the back of the net for her sixth goal of the season to put the Gaels in front.
The Gaels would continue to control possession in the opening half but Carleton keeper Rachel Bedek (St. Thomas, Ont.) kept the Ravens in the match.
The second half saw Queen's backline shutdown any offensive opportunity that the Ravens could muster and eventually, the Gaels put the game out of reach in the 82nd minute. Renee MacLellan of Kingston, Ont., playing in her last regular season game, scored her team-leading 12th goal of the season to ice the victory.
Elena Corry of Hamilton, Ont., picked up the Gaels 10th straight shutout.
The Ravens open their post-season with a visit to North Bay to take on the Nipissing Lakers on Oct. 28.
GUELPH 1, WESTERN 1
Rookies made the difference on Saturday, as the Guelph Gryphons (1-8-5) and the Western Mustangs (6-7-1) played to a 1-1 draw thanks to goals from two first-year players.
Rookie Lauren Hampton (Calgary, Alta.) opened the scoring for the Gryphons in the 30th minute, giving her squad the lead heading into half-time.
The Mustangs responded early in the second-half as rookie Ginger Basnett (Prince George, B.C.) found the back of the net.
With their regular-season record, the Gryphons did not qualify for the post-season.
The Mustangs visit McMaster on Wednesday to take on the Marauders in first-round playoff action. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.
YORK 4, WINDSOR 2
Ami Otaki (Kanagawa, Japan) turned in yet another multi-goal game as she notched a pair of late markers in the 85th and 90th minutes to propel the No. 9 York Lions to victory.
Windsor jumped out into the lead in the first half, as Candace Garrod (Kingsville, Ont.) struck in the 13th minute and again in the 19th to spot her team to a 2-0 lead before the game went to intermission. But the Lions would not go quietly.
Alicia Brown (Brampton, Ont.) started the comeback in the 57th minute, and fleet-footed Nicole Markowitz (Toronto) knotted things at two in the 75th minute before Otaki's late-game heroics put the Lancers away for good.
The Lancers visit the Brock Badgers in a first-round playoff match-up, while the Lions have a week off before hosting a quarter-final on Oct. 31.
BROCK 1, WATERLOO 0
The Brock Badgers (7-4-3) narrowly defeated the Waterloo Warriors (1-11-2) on Saturday.
The lone goal was scored by veteran Ali Gartley (Camlachie, Ont.) in the 55th minute.
By virtue of their last-place regular-season finish, the Warriors do not qualify for the post-season.
The Badgers host the Windsor Lancers in their first playoff game on Wednesday Oct. 28. Kick-off is slated for 2 p.m.
OTTAWA 2, RYERSON 0
The No. 5 Ottawa Gee-Gees (11-2-3) recorded their 10th shutout of the season Saturday afternoon as they defeated the Ryerson Rams (4-8-4) by a 2-0 score in Toronto in their second-last regular season game.
After a scoreless first half, fourth-year defence Dominique Falardeau (Gatineau, Que.) scored two goals in the second to lead the Gee-Gees to their eleventh victory of the season.
Recording the shutout for the Gee-Gees was second-year goalkeeper Mélissa Pesant (Gatineau, Que.).
While Ryerson's season is over, Ottawa looks to begin a successful playoff run with a match against the Laurentian Lady Vees on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
NIPISSING 3, TRENT 1
After a scoreless first-half, the Nipissing Lakers (6-7-3) put on an offensive show, scoring three consecutive second-half goals to beat the Trent Excalibur (1-14-1).
Standout striker Leesa Church (North Bay, Ont.) notched two goals for the Lakers, while midfielder Amy Laidlaw (Brampton, Ont.) added one.
Trent's Brittany MacIntosh (St. Catherines, Ont.) ruined Nipissing's looming shutout, scoring in the 86th minute.
Trent's regular-season record was not enough to boost them into a playoff spot. Nipissing hosts Carleton on Wednesday in first-round playoff action.
RYERSON 4, RMC 0
The offence exploded for the Ryerson Rams (4-8-4) as it made sure the team finished the season on a high note, defeating the RMC Paladins (3-12-1) by a 4-0 score at BMO Field on Sunday in their final game of the season.
Ryerson controlled play in the first half and had several chances but couldn't find the back of the net until the 44th minute when Alana Marinucci (Richmond Hill, Ont.) found the ball after a scramble in the RMC crease and scored, giving the Rams a one-goal halftime lead.
It only took until the 53rd minute for the Rams to double their lead when Marinucci scored her second of the game. Marinucci picked up the ball in RMC territory and lobbed a hard shot over the Paladins keeper Olivia Clarke (Caledon East, Ont.) and into the net.
Ryerson continued to press offensively, capitalizing for its third goal in the 56th minute when Andrea Raso (Toronto) wired a hard shot from the top of RMC's 18-yard-box and into the back of the net.
The Rams would add to their lead in the 72nd minute when veteran Jassie Hayer (Ajax, Ont.) playing in her last game at Ryerson, went out in style with her first goal of the season. Hayer was taken down by a Paladin defender in the 18-yard-box and the Rams were awarded a free kick. After a short pass on the free kick, Hayer made no mistake finding the back of the net to give the Rams a 4-0 lead.
Ryerson will miss out on the playoffs after finishing seventh in the OUA East, four points behind the fifth and sixth seeds.
YORK 2, WESTERN 1
The York Lions (11-2-1) defeated the Western Mustangs (6-7-1) en route to a first-place OUA West regular-season finish.
York's Alicia Donaldson (Mississauga, Ont.) put the Lions in the lead early in the first half, however, Western's Erin Grand (Toronto) was able to find the equalizer before the half was out.
Looking to finish the season on an eight-game winning streak, the Lions continued to press in the second half, leading to another strike from Donaldson in the 68th minute that found the back of the net.
The tight race with Laurier for top spot in the division fizzled down the stretch and the Lions ended in first by five points.
York hosts a divisional quarter-final on Oct. 31 while Western faces McMaster in a first-round playoff game on Oct. 28.
GUELPH 2, WINDSOR 2
The Windsor Lancers (4-5-5) rounded out their 2009 regular season with a 2-2 tie against the Guelph Gryphons (1-8-5) on Sunday afternoon on Alumni Field.
Candace Garrod (Kingsville, Ont.) scored the game's opening goal to give the Lancers the 1-0 lead.
The Gryphons would respond with a marker of their own in the opening half as Laura Hampton (Calgary, Alta.) scored to tie the game 1-1.
The two teams would trade goals in the second half, as Sarah Kox (Denfield, Ont.) scored for Windsor and Heather Kendall (Newmarket, Ont.) scored for Guelph to make the final score 2-2.
With the tie, Windsor finishes the regular season with a 4-5-2 record and will be the No. 6 seed in the OUA Playoffs.
The Lancers are now set to travel to St. Catherines on Wednesday to battle the No. 3 seeded Brock Badgers in the first round of the playoffs.
BROCK 1, LAURIER 1
The Brock Badgers (7-4-3) ended the 2009 regular season with a 1-1 against the No. 10-ranked Laurier Golden Hawks (9-3-2). With the victory Brock captures third place in the OUA West Division and will host the sixth place Windsor Lancers on Oct. 28 in the first round of the playoffs.
Just one minute into the contest Laurier's Ali McKee (Bracebridge, Ont.) would beat Brock goalkeeper Syreeta Rhoden (Niagara Falls, Ont.) for her team leading ninth goal of the season. McKee finished the 2009 season tied for fourth place in OUA scoring.
In the 69th minute, Brock rookie Lindsay McDonald (Burlington, Ont.) would tie the game 1-1 with her third goal of the campaign.
By virtue of their second-place regular-season finish, the Golden Hawks have a bye through the first-round of playoffs and will start their playoff run by hosting a quarter-final on Oct. 31.
MCMASTER 3, WATERLOO 0
The McMaster Marauders (6-5-3) easily handled the Waterloo Warriors (1-11-2) on Sunday to conclude their regular-season.
Veteran Samantha Batten (Hamilton, Ont.) notched two goals and Chantal Malysa (Calgary, Alta.) added a single.
The Warriors do not qualify for the post-season and the Marauders will host the Western Mustangs in a first-round match-up on Oct. 28.
OTTAWA 1, TORONTO 1
The University of Toronto Varsity Blues (11-1-4) played to a 1-1 draw with the Ottawa Gee-Gees (11-2-3) on Sunday, earning a second-place finish and a first round bye in the OUA playoffs.
Both teams started out the contest tentatively, neither side wanting to give up the first goal. However, after a giveaway by Ottawa keeper Melissa Peasant (Gatineau, Ont.) at the top of the penalty box, Jennifer Siu was left with an open cage. The London, Ont. native made no mistake, steadily placing the ball over the line to give the Blues a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute.
After a scramble in front of the Toronto goal, Tara Condos (Strathroy, Ont.) was left with enough space to get a shot away. She found the high right corner, tying the contest at 1-1 going into half time.
Knowing they needed a win to guarantee a first round bye, Ottawa came out strong early in the second half. Courtney Luscombe (Ottawa, Ont.) was strong in the forward line, consistently keeping the Blues defenders on their toes. Luscombe looked to have a break away as she received the ball in open space with her eye on goal. However, Lashley sprinted back and stripped the ball from the Ottawa native just inside the penalty area.
The Gee-Gees maintained the pressure, and Elise Desjardins (Cumberland, Ont.) nearly put them ahead as she sent a low shot on goal. Mary Anne Barnes (Scarborough, Ont.) was just able to get her fingertips on the ball, tipping it just wide of the right post.
Although the Gee-Gees continuously pressured the Blues, their defence would not break, and they would hold on for a 1-1 draw.
With the tie game, the Blues finish in second place in the OUA East and earn a bye through the first round of the playoffs. Toronto will host their quarter-final match up on Saturday at Varsity Centre.
Source: OUA Communications with files from Toronto Varsity Blues, Laurentian Voyageurs, Queen's Gaels, York Lions, Ottawa Gee-Gees, Ryerson Rams, Windsor Lancers, Brock Badgers
