North Bay, ON – After beating the Toronto Varsity Blues in quarterfinal action Wednesday night, the Women's Soccer team travelled to North Bay Saturday afternoon and knocked out the Lakers in a penalty shootout.
Nipissing topped the Central division with an 8-1-1 record, finishing second overall only to Ottawa. A quarterfinal win against York set them up with a match against Western with a ticket to the OUA Championship on the line. To come out successful, Western needed to crack a strong back line that has allowed only three goals against this season.
The opening thirty drew minimal action, as both teams settled in and Western became acclimated to the away turf and expressive crowd. The Lakers began to apply pressure late in the half, but goalkeeper Samantha St. Croix remained calm as the shots easily fell into her hands.
The best chance came with only a few minutes left in the half, as a Lakers shot from outside the box curved just over the Western crossbar. The teams finished the half 0-0, as neither were able to create anything threatening in the final third.
Chants rippled throughout the stands at the start of the second half, setting up what would be a high-stakes forty-five.
The purple and white started with a sense of urgency, putting early offensive pressure on the Lakers. The contest soon became physical as both teams were fighting to keep their season alive. While chances were exchanged, nothing much was put on either goal ultimately sending the game into extra time.
The first of two fifteen-minute halves began with an early Nipissing corner that almost sneaked through but was cleaned up by St. Croix. Just minutes later, a net front scramble required the Western back line to stay calm and clear the ball in order to keep the game scoreless.
Neither team could find a winner through extra-time, leaving the game to be decided by way of a best-of-five penalty shootout.
The Lakers were up first, but saw their shot go over the bar. Western's Mackenzie Bilotta slotted hers next in the bottom right corner, putting the Mustangs on the front foot.
Nipissing scored on their second shot, but so did Mustang Avarie Thomas who also found the bottom right corner.
Mustangs keeper St. Croix came up big on Nipissing's third attempt, as she saved the Lakers shot. Katrina Giantsopoulos then stepped up and scored once again for Western, putting a win within reach.
Needing to score to stay alive, Nipissing's fourth attempt was ultimately saved by St. Croix, sending the Mustangs to the OUA Championship.
With this win, the Mustangs not only advance to the OUA Championship but also clinch a berth at the U SPORTS National Championship taking place at Cape Breton University later this month.
The OUA Finals will take place at home next weekend as the Mustangs and Gaels will battle it out for the title. Stay tuned to westernmustangs.ca for more details.
