The Western Mustangs women’s soccer team got the 2012 regular season off to a good start Friday, defeating the University of Ontario Institute of Technology 1-0 in Oshawa.
Coming off a second-place finish at the annual Old Four Tournament, including shutting out defending CIS Champion Queen’s, it was another low-scoring contest for the Mustang women on Friday.
It was a scoreless affair for the majority of the match before first-year striker Lauren Winquist scored in the 88th minute, making her first game as a Mustang a memorable one. Another rookie, Oakville’s Tori Edgar, got the win in net backstopping Western to a shut out victory.
"It was a tough game and a well earned 3 points," said Western head coach Martin Painter. "UOIT were a well organized and determined team. We defended well and moved the ball well at times; we showed some nerves though and our execution and organization offensively will need to improve. The team showed great perseverance and character to find a way to win. We look forward to building on the result with a tough trip to Windsor."
Friday’s win was the first as head coach for Painter, who returned to Western in December 2011 after leading the Fanshawe College women’s team for the past five seasons. This past summer Painter also led FC London to the first Premier Development League title in team history.
Prior to his coaching career Painter played four years in the purple and white and was a member of Rock Basacco’s 1999 National Championship team.
The Mustangs are back in action on Labour Day, traveling to Windsor to take on the Lancers. Start time is 6:00 p.m.
