Gee-Gees have scored 12 goals while conceding zero in their first two games
On Friday, the Gee-Gees women’s soccer team welcomed the Trent Excalibur to Matt Anthony Field at 6 p.m.. The Gee-Gees continued their hot start to the season, equalling their 6-0 trouncing of Laurentian a week prior.
First Half
The first half started calm — until the fourth minute, when a mistake by keeper Cassidy Joslin almost cost the Gees a goal. What must have been a pre-measured pass to a defender resulted in the interception of said pass by Trent forward Darienne Patkau and a shot on goal from the box that could have easily been avoided.
However, by the 10th minute, the Gee-Gees started to increase the pressure, with an amazing long pass by Jenna Matsukubo and ensuing shot on goal by Élianne Gervais forcing Trent goalie Victoria Ivey-Town to make an amazing save. However, the Gees most definitely set the tone for the rest of the game early in the half.
In the 16th minute, Matsukubo showed off her fantastic speed by dancing by defenders and crossing it to the far post, in perfect position just for Cassandra Provost to touch it and score off the goalie’s leg. Provost, who entered the game needing just 10 goals to break Pilar Khoury’s program record, also scored against Laurentian last week.
The following goal came from an impressive long cross from Élianne Gervais to Allana Oriente, who shot to the far post, placing the ball in the low outer corner of the goal. The Gee-Gees offence was showing off with their speed, drive and remarkable ball control.
However, the offence weren’t the only ones showing off, as Joslin made a fantastic save minutes later. Not only was it a dangerous shot close to goal, but she controlled the bounce and made a second diving save on the rebound after the shot on goal.
Provost’s third goal of the season came in the 24th minute, courtesy of another assist by Matsukubo. The last goal of the first half came in stoppage time. Nibo Dlamini dribbled the ball around a Excalibur defender, eventually finding Marie-Pierre Beaudoin.
Beaudoin rushed down the sideline while cutting to the top of the box where she shot; the rebound came straight back to Dlamini, who passed to Gervais for a great look from the top of the box.
Second Half
The second half started with Trent pushing the Gee-Gees defence and having more opportunities to persist as they got close to the Gee-Gees goal. However, the Ottawa defence did not let them pass. Matsukubo said “we have been working on being first to the ball. Whenever there is a 50-50 ball, we want to be the first to it.”
This was evident as the Gees did have consistent and fluent possession of the ball. The fifth goal was scored by Sabrina Mangiaracina, who received a cross-over pass, ran down the sideline, cut to the top of the box and shot to goal. Following through, Allana Oriente scored the final goal of the game after a fantastic run around Trent’s defenders and crossed it to the far corner for a perfect end to the scoring strike for this game.
Outlook
The game demonstrated the Gee-Gees’ control on the field. The teams’ connection is evident by the Gees’ ending with eighteen shots on goal, compared to Trent’s ending stats, which showed only six shots in total. The Gee-Gees defence was impenetrable, and the offence worked seamlessly, highlighted by an amazing game from Matsukubo, who had two assists and a flawless switch from offence to defence when needed.
Matsukubo also talked post game about the focus during games like this which precede much larger games, notably Queen’s on Sunday. “It’s all about having personal goals,” said the fifth-year.
“I wanted to hit my targets when I am crossing the ball and doing everything I can do right, so whenever we play a more competitive team, and the opportunities are fewer than that, I can pull off the best crossing.”
The Gee-Gees had a great start to their weekend games. The team plays another home game on Sunday, at Matt Anthony Field against OUA silver medallist Queen’s before they hit the road to play against Laurentian and Nipissing.
