Golden Hawks, Gee-Gees to battle for OUA women's soccer supremacy

Laurier 1 - Queen's 0 (5-4 PK)

OTTAWA (November 3, 2012) - The No. 6 Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks women's soccer team advanced to their third consecutive OUA Championship game as they defeated the No. 7 Queen's Gaels 1-0 (5-4 penalty kicks) on Saturday afternoon at Matt Anthony Field.

Laurier, who also punched their ticket to the CIS Championship with the win, won the game in the sixth round of penalty kicks when rookie Kiara Reyes of Kitchener, Ont., connected on her chance followed by a miss from Queen's Breanna Burton of Ottawa.

"It feels awesome, I can't believe it," said Reyes on her winning kick. "She [Queen's keeper Madison Tyrell of White Rock, B.C.] was trying to intimidate me a bit before the kick but I knew exactly where it was going."

"We're so happy," added Laurier keeper Katrina Ward of Surrey, B.C. "We really fought through right to the end of the game. There were a couple of moments where they got some big rushes but we fought back and played hard all the way to the end."

In what was another classic battle between these two rivals, both the Hawks and Gaels took turns in controlling the game throughout the 120 minutes played before the shootout. Laurier controlled play in the first half with Krista Cellucci of Mississauga, Ont., having the best chance to open the scoring just six minutes in when the ball fell to her inside the six yard box but her chance was denied by Tyrell.

Queen's responded in the second half as their midfield, led by Riley Filion of Alexandria, Ont., took control of the game. In the 67th minute, Filion sent a shot in from the left side of the pitch that caught up in the wind but struck the cross bar, keeping the game scoreless.

During the two 15 minute extra time halves, both the Hawks and Gaels had a chance to win it. Lauriers opportunity came off the foot of Julie Maheu of Oakville, Ont., when her attempt just sailed over the bar. Two minutes from time, Burton had a great chance to get the win for Queen's but Ward made the save, sending the game to penalty kicks.

After the first two shooters scored, Maheu had her shot stopped by Tyrell. However, Ward responded for the Hawks and turned away Queen's Mikyla Kay of West Vancouver, B.C.

The remaining six shooters scored, setting the stage for sudden death rounds. Reyes calmly deposited her shot in the bottom left corner of the net but Burton sent her shot high over the bar to send the Hawks through to the championship match.

Laurier will now face the No. 1 Ottawa Gee-Gees in tomorrow's gold medal match. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at Matt Anthony Field and the game will be streamed live on SSN Canada.

NOTES: The game marked the fourth straight season that Laurier and Queen's have met at the OUA Final Four...both teams have now won twice over that stretch...Laurier will now compete in their third straight CIS Championship tournament next week in Victoria, B.C....Cellucci led all players with four shots in the contest

Source: Laurier Sports Info

Ottawa 1 - McMaster 0

Ottawa, Ont. - The McMaster Marauders women's soccer team was in tough with the No. 1 Gee-Gees on Saturday morning in front of Ottawa's home crowd.

It took the host team longer than usual to establish a rhythm in their game, forcing their typically calm and collected passing game early on. The last line of defense was solid once again for the Gee-Gees, limiting any Marauder attack and only allowing one shot on goal all game.

The first half saw both teams struggle to establish any kind of threatening attack. The majority of play took place in the midfield with neither team having a clear possession advantage. In total, only three shots on net were registered in the entire half, all outside strikes by the Gee-Gees.

The half time break clearly ignited the Gee-Gees though, who stormed out of the gate with an offensive flare that the home crowd is used to seeing. Finally, at at 68 minute mark, first year striker Kayla Jones made a pinpoint cross to Krista Draycott who made no mistake on the open net tap in.

Evidently unsatisfied with a one goal cushion, the garnet and grey did not let up in their attack, relentlessly pressuring the Marauder net. Despite the attack though, the uOttawa women only managed to score the lone goal on the afternoon. Marauder goaltender Brittany Duffey played strong for the visiting team, stopping many close Gee-Gees chances and keeping McMaster in the game.

McMaster managed to generate a point blank scoring opportunity in extra time, their first shot of the game. But Gee-Gees goaltender Cynthia Leblanc shut the door in the most crucial moment, guaranteeing the garnet and grey the victory and the shutout.

The Marauders will have a chance to win an OUA medal tomorrow in the Bronze Medal match at 11am against the No. 7 Queen's Gaels.

Source: McMaster Sports Info