Sydney. NS - A cold and blustery night in Sydney, NS made for less than ideal conditions for the Mustangs Women's Soccer team as they opened the 2021 U SPORTS National Championship against the Laval Rough et Or.

At the start of the game there was noticeable misting rain causing for a very slippery surface but both teams battled a largely defensive effort as they looked to see what the oppositions was bringing.

The Mustangs took the shot advantage in the first half at a 4-3 advantage but couldn't get anything towards the Laval goal.

In the second half, Mustangs goalkeeper Samantha St. Croix was tested early and often. After Laval had scored to take a 1-0 lead, St Croix had to come up with a big save after the Daphnee Blouin of the Rouge et Or got the ball right in front of the Mustangs keeper and St Croix made the point blank save to keep the deficit at 1-0.

W?? BIG SAVE!!!
Samantha St. Croix with another big save, this time a point-blank stop.

2nd Half - 64th Minute
WES l 0
LAV l 1#RunWithUs #WesternMustangs #WESvsLAV @mustangsws pic.twitter.com/d9JreiThQW

— Western Mustangs (@WesternMustangs) November 19, 2021

The physicality of the game really picked up in the later stages of this game as both teams were shown a pair of yellow cards including a play late into the game when a bouncing ball ended up in the Laval goal and Sabine Gille-Hardy collided with Laval keeper Myriam Labrecque on a golden scoring chance for the Mustangs but weren't able to convert.

St Croix ended the game with 6 saves on the night for the Mustangs.

Western will now play in the Consolation round which starts tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 19). The Mustangs will meet the host Cape Breton Capers at 5:30 EST (6:30 PM AST). Fans can watch the game at CBCsports.ca