Box Score LONDON, Ont. – Strong performances from Sabrina De Nard and Megan Girardi helped lead the Mustangs to a 1-0 win over the Guelph Gryphons on Sunday afternoon, with the OUA Quarterfinal matchup being decided via penalty kicks.
 
"I'm just really happy and excited for the girls. They worked really hard all season," said Western head coach Martin Painter. "Credit to Guelph, they're a tough team and it was a tough game, but I think overall we deserved the win."
 
Western's win means that the Mustangs will host the OUA Final Four, which will take place next week, beginning on Friday at Mustangs Field.
 
After their second place finish during the regular season, the Mustangs found themselves having a bye through the first round of the playoffs earlier this week, and looked to continue their winning ways against the Gryphons in the quarterfinals.
 
The defences for both sides stood out in the match, as both teams were held scoreless for not only the first ninety minutes, but for extra time as well, leading to the game being decided via penalty kicks. Fifth-year defender Sabrina De Nard led Western for the entire game with constant energy, battling for every ball, and eventually scoring in the shootout to keep Western alive.
 
"She was just incredible," said Painter, praising De Nard's performance and versatility on the field. "She was the best player on the field today, with her toughness, her leadership, her qualities on both sides of the ball. Offensively and defensively, she was just fantastic."
 
"[De Nard] covers for me a lot. She saved the game there, so I can thank her for that. She's always been strong back there," remarked Girardi, referencing an amazing play by De Nard where she kicked the ball off of the Mustangs' goal line in overtime to save the game.
 
In the shootout, Guelph's goaltender Elizabeth Brenneman, who had just carried the team in another set of penalty kicks against Laurier just four days prior, stood in net for the Gryphons versus Girardi. Girardi stood tall in the Mustangs net, and Western came through with four goals, with De Nard, Grace Grafham, Jenna White, and Stefanie Di Tella each finding the back of the net to give the Mustangs a 4-2 edge in penalty kicks and the 1-0 match win.
 
"It feels really nice to make the saves and be there to support the team for all the times they've backed me up. It was a big win," said Girardi.
 
Painter also had praise for Guelph's goaltender, saying "she's a great goalkeeper, and we knew that going in. We came close on a number of occasions, she made a couple good saves, and on penalty shots she's very strong, but we were prepared for that and we executed."
 
With the win over the Gryphons, the Mustangs will now host the OUA Final Four, where they'll take on the Queen's Gaels in the semi-finals on Friday at 7 p.m. at Mustangs Field.