London, ON – A new Women's Soccer OUA Champion was crowned at Western Alumni Stadium Friday night, as the Queen's Gaels beat the Mustangs in a penalty shootout to secure their first title since the 2015 season.
Having upset both the first and second seeded teams respectively, Queens and Western saw their long-standing rivalry renewed in the form of the OUA Finals, which did not disappoint in terms of energy and excitement.
Queens would prove to be a formidable opponent, as they put forth an 8-2 record in the regular season and registered two shut outs in their road to the OUA Finals. Western also had yet to concede a goal in their playoff games against Toronto and Nipissing, setting up a must-watch defensive battle.
Averaging over 3 goals a game, Western would need to shut down a red-hot Gaels attack to stay in the fight for the championship. Queen's front three comprised of Matsukubo, Way, and Gray have a combined 23 goals this season, which the purple and white made sure to prepare for.
"They have a really strong front three and we knew that coming into this," said centre back Avarie Thomas. "I think we contained them well."
Queens started the match with intensity, requiring a clearance header in the box from Thomas to prevent an early Gaels lead. The early attack from the visitors was shifted quickly to the other side of the pitch as Western started to control majority of the play.
Neither team was able to create many dangerous chances in the first half, and any shots put on goal were easily cared for by both keepers.
With 'Let's go Western' chants ringing throughout the stands as the half drew to a close, the tension in the air grew as the teams huddled and prepared for an all-or-nothing forty-five.
The Mustangs started right where they left off, registering a shot on goal less than a minute into the second half as the Western chants continued to echo through the chilled air.
Queens first chance at goal in the half almost snuck through, as in the 64
th minute a powerful strike hit the woodwork to the delight of the home crowd.
With 11 minutes to go, the Mustangs had a good look at goal. A scramble in front of the Gaels net set up what looked like a clear chance at goal, but Nathalie Hoppe was unable to get a proper foot on it allowing the Queens defender to cut in and send it out for a Western corner.
A late push by the Mustangs did not find the back of the net, and the whistle rang signaling the end of the 90 and the beginning of two fifteen-minute extra time periods.
The Mustangs continued to pile on the pressure in their search for the opener, which almost came in the 97
th minute as a good effort from Reese Fowler fell just to the side of the net.
Two minutes later Avarie Thomas used her speed to get back and neutralize a Queens threat, eliciting deafening cheers from the crowd. The numerous supporters continued their unrelenting support until the very end, adding fuel to Western's fire.
"A great atmosphere and great turnout," said head-coach Martin Painter.
The first half of extra-time proved to be no different than the first 90. The temperature continued to drop, but the Mustangs remained focused with their energy and belief high.
Fowler came up big as she made two huge tackles in the defensive end within minutes of each other in the second part of extra time.
Ultimately, a strong defensive battle would end with an even score-line.
"Queens is a tough team to break down," said Painter. "They don't give up a lot of goals so unfortunately we didn't get that last touch."
For the second game in a row, Western's match was to be decided by way of a best-of-five penalty shootout, with the purple and white looking to replicate their semi-final result in front of the passionate Mustang supporters.
The trophy and medals lingered in the periphery along the sidelines as Queens stepped up to the spot first. Samantha St. Croix made a diving save to open the shootout, but Western's Mackenzie Bilotta would also see her shot saved in the first round of spot kicks.
Tiffany Johnston, Avarie Thomas, and Reese Fowler would score to match Queens' three successful penalties, sending the best-of-five shootout into sudden death rounds.
The sixth round saw a successful Queens shot, and to keep the Mustangs in the game veteran Lauren O'Donnell stepped up and calmly slotted hers in as well.
Queens hit the post in the seventh round, meaning the title would belong to Western if they scored. Maya Lankin stepped up, but her shot was unable to find the back of the net.
The eighth round would see the situation flipped, as the Gaels scored while Kiera Grein missed her shot, thereby crowning the Queen's Gaels as OUA Champions.
"It was a fantastic game of soccer," said Painter. "Two good teams. I thought so many players stepped up and had amazing performances."
Two of those players are defender Avarie Thomas and midfielder Reese Fowler who had their seasons recognized post-match, as they were both named West Division All-Stars.
"I'm just grateful that I have the opportunity to [represent Western]," said Thomas, a first-year player who has been a huge part of the Mustangs back-line.
There is still one trophy yet to be won, and the Mustangs believe they can end their spectacular season with some gold-coloured hardware.
"We are going to come back better and faster than we were here," said Thomas. "[The goal is] a national title."
The Mustangs are headed to Cape Breton University in Nova Scotia for the USPORTS Championships and will fly out on Monday as they prepare for another exciting opportunity.
"We got a couple days to get ready," said Painter. "We have some players who are gaining valuable experience, we had three really tough playoff games, a tough regular season, and players keep rising to the occasion and getting better. We will have some new challenges from across the country this week and we just got to be excited for it."
Competition kicks off on Thursday, November 18
th, and if Western has proven anything this season it is that they are a dangerous and exciting group who are capable of competing with the best of the best.
