October 28, 2010
W-SOCCER ROUNDUP: Three upsets take teams to quarter-finals
Nipissing Lakers @ Toronto Varsity Blues
Third-year midfielder Amy Laidlaw scored in the 90th minute as the sixth-seeded Nipissing Lakers upset the Varsity Blues women’s soccer team in OUA playoff action on Wednesday, October 27 at Varsity Centre.
The loss eliminates the Varsity Blues from post-season contention one year after they finished fifth at the CIS national championships in Toronto. Nipissing will move on to face the first-place Queen’s Gaels on Saturday afternoon in Kingston, Ont.
The match started out fairly slow through the first 25 minutes, as neither team created a significant scoring opportunity. The Lakers were awarded a corner kick at the 35-minute mark, but couldn’t make much of it as Toronto keeper Katarina Vulic easily caught the cross in from the left flag.
Kate Crowley managed the midfield well, slipping a couple of passes behind the Nippising backline that were just out of reach for Toronto’s forwards. The London, Ont. native managed to get a quick shot away that sailed well over the crossbar.
The best chance of the half came in injury time when second-year Blues defender Diana Estereiro lobbed a ball over the heads of the Lakers defence. First-year striker Aisha Lewis leaped to get her head on the ball but could not manage to re-direct the cross as it slipped past the left post.
The Lakers opened the second half with an excellent scoring opportunity. After Ashley Poirier of Thunder Bay, Ont., threaded the ball through the Toronto defence, it was picked up North Bay, Ont., native Leesa Church on the right side of the penalty area. She touched the ball across the net to Shannon McLeod (Port Dover, Ont.), who one-timed a low hard shot that forced Vulic into a difficult diving save.
Calgary native Shirley Ho nearly put the Blues ahead in the 55th minute when she grabbed a loose ball in front of the net, only to have her shot blocked by a Lakers defender.
The Blues continued to carry the momentum, as Crowley sent Melanie Seabra down the right wing, but couldn’t manage to get a shot away at goal.
The Lakers weathered the storm and started controlling the play more leading into the final few minutes. A great defensive play by U of T veteran Alicia Lashley stopped a sure goal from Krista Dermott, who had an open shot after a solid cross over the Blues defensive line.
However, Nipissing continued to pressure, leading to a free ball in front of the Toronto goal. Amy Laidlaw picked up the ball and smoothly slid it underneath a sliding Vulic, giving the Lakers a 1-0 lead with only moments left in the contest.
The Blues tried to come back quickly; however, before they could come up with a strong attack the final whistle sounded, giving the sixth-seeded Lakers an upset victory over Toronto.
The loss eliminates the Varsity Blues from post-season contention one year after they finished fifth at the CIS national championships in Toronto. Nipissing will move on to face the first-place Queen’s Gaels on Saturday afternoon in Kingston, Ont.
The match started out fairly slow through the first 25 minutes, as neither team created a significant scoring opportunity. The Lakers were awarded a corner kick at the 35-minute mark, but couldn’t make much of it as Toronto keeper Katarina Vulic easily caught the cross in from the left flag.
Kate Crowley managed the midfield well, slipping a couple of passes behind the Nippising backline that were just out of reach for Toronto’s forwards. The London, Ont. native managed to get a quick shot away that sailed well over the crossbar.
The best chance of the half came in injury time when second-year Blues defender Diana Estereiro lobbed a ball over the heads of the Lakers defence. First-year striker Aisha Lewis leaped to get her head on the ball but could not manage to re-direct the cross as it slipped past the left post.
The Lakers opened the second half with an excellent scoring opportunity. After Ashley Poirier of Thunder Bay, Ont., threaded the ball through the Toronto defence, it was picked up North Bay, Ont., native Leesa Church on the right side of the penalty area. She touched the ball across the net to Shannon McLeod (Port Dover, Ont.), who one-timed a low hard shot that forced Vulic into a difficult diving save.
Calgary native Shirley Ho nearly put the Blues ahead in the 55th minute when she grabbed a loose ball in front of the net, only to have her shot blocked by a Lakers defender.
The Blues continued to carry the momentum, as Crowley sent Melanie Seabra down the right wing, but couldn’t manage to get a shot away at goal.
The Lakers weathered the storm and started controlling the play more leading into the final few minutes. A great defensive play by U of T veteran Alicia Lashley stopped a sure goal from Krista Dermott, who had an open shot after a solid cross over the Blues defensive line.
However, Nipissing continued to pressure, leading to a free ball in front of the Toronto goal. Amy Laidlaw picked up the ball and smoothly slid it underneath a sliding Vulic, giving the Lakers a 1-0 lead with only moments left in the contest.
The Blues tried to come back quickly; however, before they could come up with a strong attack the final whistle sounded, giving the sixth-seeded Lakers an upset victory over Toronto.
Source: Blues Athletics
Western Mustangs @ York Lions
Erin Grand of London, Ont., scored in the 82nd minute to net the game's only goal as Western blanked the York Lions 1-0 in the OUA West quarter-final on Wednesday afternoon at York Stadium in North York, Ont.
With the win the Mustangs advance to the OUA West semifinal at either Laurier or McMaster on Saturday.
The last time the Mustangs won an OUA playoff game in women's soccer was in five seasons ago when they defeated Brock 1-0 on Oct. 28, 2006, after defeating Laurier 2-1 in overtime earlier that post season on Oct. 25, 2006. They lost in the OUA semifinal and OUA bronze medal game that season.
Today, Western battled the wind and physical nature of the game to earn the victory over the Lions.
Grand's goal came from 10 yards out, converting on a great cross from Jenna Schroeder, finishing it with a beautiful kick past the outstretched hands of Lions goalkeeper and London, Ont., native Samira Sarvian-Somer.
Goalkeeper Melanie Oberholzer of Kitchener, Ont., earned the cleansheet, making one great save late in the game with York pressing.
With the win the Mustangs advance to the OUA West semifinal at either Laurier or McMaster on Saturday.
The last time the Mustangs won an OUA playoff game in women's soccer was in five seasons ago when they defeated Brock 1-0 on Oct. 28, 2006, after defeating Laurier 2-1 in overtime earlier that post season on Oct. 25, 2006. They lost in the OUA semifinal and OUA bronze medal game that season.
Today, Western battled the wind and physical nature of the game to earn the victory over the Lions.
Grand's goal came from 10 yards out, converting on a great cross from Jenna Schroeder, finishing it with a beautiful kick past the outstretched hands of Lions goalkeeper and London, Ont., native Samira Sarvian-Somer.
Goalkeeper Melanie Oberholzer of Kitchener, Ont., earned the cleansheet, making one great save late in the game with York pressing.
Source: Mustangs Athletics
Brock Badgers @ Windsor Lancers
The Lancer women's soccer team earned a thrilling 1-0 overtime victory over Brock in OUA playoff action Wednesday night on Alumni Field.
Second year midfielder Emilie Glanz subbed into the game in the dying minutes of the overtime, and scored off a corner kick on the Brock goaltender to give Windsor the one goal lead.
Stay tuned to goLancers.ca for more game details as they become available.
With the win, the Lancers will advance to the OUA quarter finals on Saturday October 30th. They will travel to Hamilton and face the McMaster Marauders at 6:00pm.
In their previous meetings this season, Windsor has drew a 1-1 tie and 1-0 loss against the Marauders. McMaster finished the season just above the Lancers in second place, and had a first round bye Wednesday night.
Second year midfielder Emilie Glanz subbed into the game in the dying minutes of the overtime, and scored off a corner kick on the Brock goaltender to give Windsor the one goal lead.
Stay tuned to goLancers.ca for more game details as they become available.
With the win, the Lancers will advance to the OUA quarter finals on Saturday October 30th. They will travel to Hamilton and face the McMaster Marauders at 6:00pm.
In their previous meetings this season, Windsor has drew a 1-1 tie and 1-0 loss against the Marauders. McMaster finished the season just above the Lancers in second place, and had a first round bye Wednesday night.
Source: Lancers Athletics
Laurentian Voyageurs @ Carleton Ravens
The fifth ranked Laurentian Lady Vees upset the favoured Carleton Ravens by a score of 2-1 in the first round of OUA playoff action.
The Lady Vees domination of the first half was a sheer omen towards the outcome of the game. The girls jumped to an early lead just 3 minutes in, as Alana Brady (Cornwall, ON) put away her first of the game off a cross from Leanne Adams (Mississauga, ON). In the 35th minute, Alana touched the ball past the Carleton keeper, Anna Morsky (Saskatoon, SK) to bring Laurentian up by a score of 2-0.
In second half action, the Ravens had little choice but to push up against the Vees in an offensive effort. In the 57th minute, Melissa Baynes (Ottawa, ON) credited Carleton with a goal of a strong strike, cutting the Laurentian lead in half. After the second half goal from Carleton, Captain Amy-Lynn Pitton (Brampton, ON) led the Vees defence in stopping Carleton's offensive push in its tracks. Michelle Philp (Toronto, ON) held the team together from the net, and was successful in denying the Ravens any attempt at tying the match.
Source: Voyageurs Athletics
OUA SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
October 27
Nipissing, 1 @ Toronto, 0
Western, 1 @ York, 0
Brock, 0 @ Windsor, 1 OT
Laurentian, 2 @ Carleton, 1
October 30 - Quarterfinals
1:00pm – Western @ Laurier
1:00pm – Nipissing @ Queen’s
1:00pm – Laurentian @ Ottawa
6:00pm – Windsor @ McMaster
