Box Score Kingston, ON - The 2023 U SPORTS Soccer Championships consolation final was an all Ontario battle as the Mustangs picked up a 1-0 win over the uOttawa Gee-Gees.

"Really proud of the team, we played three really good teams three days in a row. It's been physically and mentally demanding and I think the team handled it really well and rose to the occasion," said Mustangs Head Coach Martin Painter "I thought we have had two of our best performances of the year over these last two games,"

Western dominated play in the first half with four shots on goal, but both sides remained locked at 0-0 at halftime.

Early in the second half, the Mustangs converted. In the 49th minute Western earned the first corner of the game and Reese Fowler's kick set up their breakthrough opportunity. Medina Birani ran up the right side ready to strike and buried the ball in the left side of Ottawa's net to put the Mustangs up 1-0. 
 

?? WSOC: Medina Birani of @WesternMustangs scores in the 42nd minute to take the lead!

?? SOCF: Medina Birani de @WesternMustangs marque dans la 42ème minute pour prend la tête du match!
@WesternMustangs: 1@uOttawaGeeGees: 0
#ChaseTheGlory | #ViserHaut pic.twitter.com/7BY0H41rXs

— U SPORTS Soccer (@USPORTS_Soccer) November 11, 2023

"We had some amazing energy right from the start of the game today," said Birani "OUAs definitely didn't go how we wanted so we wanted to prove we are #1 in Ontario,"

Late in the second half, Ottawa turned up their intensity in an effort to pull ahead, but their added energy resulted in a number of fouls.
 
Ottawa would get a pair of corner kicks late in the half but couldn't convert.

Birani was named player of the game for the Mustangs in the win.

Western held their lead to finish the game 1-0 and earn a fifth-place finish at the 2023 U SPORTS Women's Soccer Championship. 

With files from Sarah Maat