HAMILTON, Ont. - For the second time in three seasons, the CIS no. 1-ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees are champions of the province, defeating the no. 5 Western Mustangs 1-0 at Ron Joyce Stadium in Hamilton.
Both the Mustangs and Gee-Gees will now advance to next week's CIS Women's Soccer Championship at Laval, as will the OUA bronze medalist UOIT Ridgebacks as the OUA receives three berths into this year's national championship.
Having not lost since their season opener against the UOIT Ridgebacks, Ottawa continued to dominate conference play posting back-to-back 1-0 victories in the OUA Final Four en route to capturing a record eighth OUA title.
"It truly was a team effort," said Ottawa head coach Steve Johnson "We are more of a team this year than perhaps other years. Other years we may have had more individual talent, but collectively this team has really performed well all season."
Pilar Khoury was named Player of the Game in both matches, scoring Ottawa's lone goal in each win.
While she did not start the game against Western, leading some to question whether it was due to an injury or just a tactical decision, Khoury subbed into the game shortly after the midway mark of the first half and provided the strong play that earned an MVP award this season.
The Gee-Gees scoring play came in the game's 57th minute and started with a well-placed kick from defender Maris Barnabe. From 30 yards out, Barnabe delivered a curving boot into the box that Khoury was able to strike with a beautifully-placed header into the right side of the net past Mustangs goalkeeper Tori Edgar.
The Mustangs struggled to create offensive chances in the second half, but nearly tied the game in the 85th minute.
A crossing pass was sent from the side of the field and made its way to just in front the Gee-Gee's six-yard box. A Mustang player lunged forward and headed the ball right on target, but goalkeeper Cynthia LeBlanc made a spectacular diving save that preserved the victory for her team.
Western was able to get the ball back in the scoring area again in the 89th minute, but the opportunity was stopped with a strong clearing attempt by Ottawa's defenders.
The Gee-Gees were without 2013 division MVP Julia Francki after she received a red card in the team's semi-final match against Laurier. Ottawa narrowly escaped the semi-final against Laurier; the Golden Hawks missed a penalty kick in the game's final minutes. Had the penalty kick been successful, the Gee-Gees likely would have been playing for bronze today.
Both Western and Ottawa will now prepare for the CIS Women's Soccer Championship taking place Nov. 6-9 in Quebec City.Â
