WSOC | Voyageurs Fall to Top Ranked Team in the Nation
The Voyageurs women's soccer team looked to march in to the nation's capital and dethrone the defending national champions and top ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees. Unfortunately, the talent and experience of the Gee-Gees was too much to overcome and the Voyageurs fell 3-1.
The first half was dominated by the strong play of the Gees-Gees. They moved the ball effectively had created numerous scoring opportunities. They had eight shots on goal to the Voyageurs' none. In the 10th minute, a cross sent in from Emma Lefebvre took a deflection off Heather McGregor, only to find the cleats of Kaylane Hogue who tapped the ball into the open net for the opening marker of the match. Following this goal however, the Voyageurs increased their own offensive pressure and controlled the ball for the next little while but were unable to advance to the opposing net.
To their dismay, another accurate cross from the Gee-Gees, this time from Katherine Bearne, found Soumaya Bouak in front of the Voyageur net, who made no mistake in tapping in the ball to give the Gee-Gees a 2-0 lead. Albeit a 2-0 lead, Rachel Shepherd and Megan Short made their defensive presence known throughout the match as they thwarted many offensive attacks from the Gee-Gees. The first half would then come to an end with the Gee-Gees up 2-0.
The second half started on a disappointing note for the Voyageurs when, just six minutes in, Julia Rosenthal of the Gee-Gees scored a beautiful goal from midfield as the ball went over the head of the goalkeeper and in. To the Voyageurs' credit, they did not let this goal bring down their spirits as they controlled the ball more than their opponents in the second half and pushed for a goal.
Three notable plays towards the end of the match sparked some life into the Voyageurs hearts. The first came when fourth year forward, Mia De Gasperis, outmaneuvered a couple of Gee-Gees down by the opposing penalty box but no help arrived and the play went for nought. The second play came courtesy of an impressive long range shot from Mariyah Robinson which had all the makings of a goal but went just high.
Finally, some sloppy play between the Gee-Gees goalkeeper and her surrounding defensive players led to a turnover and the ball found itself at the mercy of Cassandra Armstrong in the penalty area, who rifled it into the net for her first university career goal. The goal was a welcome breath of fresh air for the Vees as they intensified their offensive prowess following the marker but unfortunately the Gee-Gees defence would hold its ground and deny the Voyageurs more goals. The match came to a close with the Gee-Gees coming out victorious by a score of 3-1.
The Voyageurs will need to have a short memory about this match as they are right back at it tomorrow at 12 pm against the Carleton Ravens.
Wali Khan
Sports Writer