SCOREBOARD

Western 1 @ McMaster 1

Guelph 2 @ Laurier 2

Brock 0 @ Windsor 2

York 8 @ Algoma 0

10-Woman Marauders Battle to Draw Mustangs in Opener

Despite suffering an almost immediate setback in their opening match of 2016, the McMaster Marauders battled to a deserved draw with the Western Mustangs at Ron Joyce Stadium Saturday.

A red card was produced in the very first minute of play, with McMaster's Talia Merino-Sierra the recipient, as her breakaway-saving tackle was adjudged to be a foul on a player with a clear path to goal. The dismissal left Mac with 10 players and nearly the full 90 minutes left to play.

Not deterred by the early catastrophe, the Marauders worked their way back into play, and saw midfielder Jessie Faber force a difficult save from a set piece in the 30th minute. Play remained even and without a goal until the very last minute of regulation in the first half, when a hand ball in the box led to a spot kick in favour of the Marauders. Veteran striker Anne Yeboah stepped up confidently and slotted into the side netting to give the hosts the lead just as the whistle blew for the interval.

It seemed for much of the second half that McMaster may improbably snatch the full three points on the afternoon, but Western turned up the pressure as the game approached its final 15 minutes. After a pair of close calls, the Mustangs found their opening in the 73rd minute, when a well-placed through ball from Amy Lintack sent Vanessa Guglietti in alone on goal, and she stepped past the keeper and rolled in to level the match at a goal apiece.

The Marauders saw one final, quality chance go begging in the 84th minute, before the teams ultimately settled for the draw and split points on the OUA's opening day of competition.

McMaster concludes a two-match weekend with a trip to Windsor on Sunday, where they will play the Lancers at 1:00 p.m.

Source: McMaster Marauders

Golden Hawks play to 2-2 draw in home opener

WATERLOO, Ont. (August 27, 2016) – A late goal from Victoria Hinchcliffe helped the Guelph Gryphons rally to earn a 2-2 draw with the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks women's soccer team on Saturday afternoon at University Stadium.

The Hawks (0-0-1), who had eight rookies dressed for the game, had taken a 2-1 lead at the half thanks to two quick goals from their forwards. First, Maxine Murchie of Kitchener, Ont., finished off a great feed from fifth year midfielder Katie Bishop of Surrey, B.C., in the 31st minute to even the game up at one.

Then, just three minutes later, rookie Mackenzie D'Andrade of Newmarket, Ont., broke in and scored her first career OUA tally to give Laurier the lead.

However, Guelph (0-0-1) would press in the second half and it was Hinchcliffe, a native of Guelph, Ont., who would score in the 82nd minute to earn her team a single point.

Jacqueline Preza of Milton, Ont., also scored for the Gryphons.

Second year keeper Ashley Almeida of Burlington, Ont., played a key role for the Hawks as they earned a point in their season opener. She finished the contest with 10 saves including a number of key stops in the second half to earn the draw.

Elizabeth Brenneman of Baden, Ont., had five saves for the Gryphons.

The Hawks will go searching for their first victory of the year on Sunday, August 28 when they cross University Ave. to take on the Waterloo Warriors (0-0-0). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Warrior Field.

Source: Laurier Golden Hawks

Lancers undefeated to open 2016

The Lancer women's soccer team open the 2016 season undefeated following a shut out victory over the Brock Badgers in their season opener, and a 1-1 tie against McMaster on Sunday.
 
Heading into Labour Day weekend, Windsor is tied for second place with the Western Mustangs with identical 1-0-1 records.
 
In their home opener on Saturday, Windsor's back four played a strong defensive line as the Lancers dominated the first half, only allowing Brock into their area for a minimal amount of time.
 
Becca Fuerth scored the Lancers' first goal of the season after making a move to get away from her Brock defender, sending the ball into the top corner with a shot just inside the 18 yard box.
 
In the second, Keely Baggio was awarded a free kick after Brock was assessed a foul outside the 18 yard box, which led to the Lancers second goal of the afternoon.
 
On Sunday, Abby Hunt created many chances for herself to get the Lancers on the board but wasn't able to find the back of the net.
 
Windsor goaltender Krystin Lawrence was very aggressive and solid in net rejecting each of McMaster's shots.
 
The Marauders got on the board first in the second half when they scored off a deflected shot that landed at the feet of Maila Carboni who found the back of the net.
 
Jazmin Martin scored her first goal of the season in the 85th minute when Cassie Chretien crossed the ball in front of the net to set up the tying goal.
 
The Lancers will now hit the road on Wednesday and travel up to London to take on the Western Mustangs at 6:00pm.

Soure: Windsor Lancers

Thunderbirds shut out by Lions

The 2016-17 season kicked off this past weekend with the Algoma Thunderbirds women's soccer team taking on the red and white York Lions.

York handed Algoma a pair of losses. Algoma fell 8-0 on Saturday and 11-0 on Sunday. Algoma managed four shots on net this weekend, including two from Kristina Richer. Despite being shut out, the Algoma squad improved defensively, allowing three less goals than in the 2015-16 season and nine less than in the 2014-15 season. 

Alexis Trigiani-Kirkwood had her debut in net for the Thunderbirds. Her weekend included 28 saves.

Nour Ghoneim led York with 6 goals and 1 assist last weekend.

Algoma heads to London, Ontario for Labour Day weekend, where they take on the Western Mustangs on Saturday and Sunday. Game times are 1:00pm on Saturday and 12:00pm on Sunday.

Source: Algoma Thunderbirds