Marauders take Mustangs' final regular season game in overtime play

Today the Western Mustangs women's soccer team played the McMaster Marauders in the final game of the regular season. The Mustangs took the game to overtime minutes but lost 0-1 to the Marauders in a last minute decision.

The crowd was much larger than usual and it was full of proud parents, younger siblings in oversized western apparel, and casualties of the season’s regular play. So far into the season, the camaraderie was at an all-time high.

Sabrina DeNard was awarded a direct free kick at the top of the McMaster eighteen yard box, but she shot just high at the 20 second minute mark.

Mustang Jenna Schroeder made her presence known, ponytail flicking behind her as she exhausted McMaster opponent Melanie Van Der Hoop, outrunning her up and down the field.

Jenn Spinozzi played solid in the midfield, and McMaster players often bounced off of her tackle.

At 40 minutes McMaster keeper Brittany Duffey made an impressive reaching save with a catch directly from the corner kick. The score tied 0-0 at the end of the half.

With no goals, the heat turned up and the teams became feisty. Marauder Samantha McLaren and Mustang Annabel Chan had a small tiff on the left line, elbows jostled, and the girls not-so amicably walked away. Marauder Natalie Kollars broke out on a run, but in doing so put Mustang Audriana Guiffre in a slight headlock because of their height difference. Guiffre stayed strong, outplaying the Mauraders in stride with her Mustang teammates.

McMaster’s Melanie Van Der Hoop also retaliated, neck-and-neck with Mustang Jenna Schroeder who expertly controlled the ball whenever provided with an opportunity and she delivered flawless balls to her teammates.

At 68 minutes Mustang Jessica Couto took a corner for the Mustangs. Using her left foot, she kicked from the right corner and the ball sailed toward the upper left corner of the net. It was an incredible ball and a sad miss.

Another opportunity shortly followed and gave light to the Mustangs. Marauder keeper, Brittany Duffey was too far out of her net. The Mustangs were able to connect with the ball, but shot shy of a goal.

At 75 minutes Marauder Natalie Kollars received a yellow card for verbal misconduct to the referee.

In the extra play McMaster scored the only goal of the game and consequently snagged the victory in this last minute decision. The Mustangs outplayed the Marauders for most of the game and the loss is an upset.

Western retains a secure playoff standing in the OUA and start their postseason next week. Stay tuned for game and standing details.

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