WOMEN EARN A 2-0 WIN AGAINST THE LAURENTIAN VOYAGEURS, HOLDING THEM TO JUST ONE SHOT ON GOAL
On a sunny Sunday afternoon at Matt Anthony Field, the reigning champions of the OUA took on the Laurentian Voyageurs, a team they typically dominated. With their two previous wins from last season being 6-0 on Aug. 30 and 8-0 Sept. 14. Much like the blowout games from last season, the Gees defeated the Voyageurs in a very one-sided matchup 2-0, with goals from Sabrina Mangiaracina and Élianne Gervais.
The team completely shut down the Voyageurs on the defensive end, being a big part of the Gees’ win on Sunday, allowing just one shot on goal and one routine save from the goalkeeper Julian Lacasse.
First Half
The first real chance of the game came in the 13th minute when Mangiaracina played a beautifully through ball to striker Vivian Johnson, who took one touch too many and was swarmed by Voyager defenders.
In the 30th minute, the fourth-year midfielder Gervais was running full speed open in the middle of the pitch, before a quick one-two with rookie attacking midfielder Erica Tsang, striking the ball top bins, but the powerful shot would be narrowly deflected by the Voyager keeper Hunter Jones.
A few minutes later, Mary Whiffen of the Voyageurs would make a dirty tackle on Tessa Frangione, pushing her into the stands. The fourth-year from Quebec City, Rosalie Côté, would sub in to replace the injured Frangione, and Whiffen would receive a yellow card for her very poor tackle.
The Gees would take revenge promptly, where Gervais played a long ball through the Voyager defence to Mangiaracina — taking a class first touch, slotting it in for the first goal of the game in the 38th minute.
The Gee-Gees would end the first half up 1-0, dominating the pace and possession of the game thus far.
Second Half
The fifth-year star attacking midfielder, Nibo Dlamini, would start the half, looking to push the play more in the attacking third. Things got a little chippy between the two teams in the second half as the Voyageurs were doing everything to gain a little edge against the Gees, who typically would be up at least four goals by mid-second half.
In the 72nd minute, Gervais was on absolute fire, taking her chance at an outside-the-box screamer that rang off the post. However, the corner that followed from Dlamini, Gervais would tap it in at the far post to put the Gees up 2-0. Gervais spoke on her goal “I was really happy to score that second goal. To give our team some breathing room and a bit of a pad for the rest of the game. I felt really good about that.”
The Voyageurs had a golden opportunity in the 88th minute with a free kick just outside the box. Taken by Caitlin Loyd, she opted to play a short pass instead of shooting, which did not work in their favour as the following shot would fly high over the net.
The game would come to an end, and the Gee-Gees would earn a 2-0 win, capping off the weekend with a win against the Voyageurs and a 3-2 loss against the Nipissing Lakers.
The Gees held the Voyageurs to just one shot on goal, showcasing a masterclass of defence. Coach Steve Johnson was very impressed with the team’s defensive display; “I’m impressed with the win, I’m impressed with the fact that we didn’t give up any goals. It’s important for us that we scored two goals in open play, a lot of positives coming out of this [game].”
He followed up, “I think we need to work on the defensive mentality overall. We’re going to face opponents that are going to challenge us, and it’s important that the team puts a really high priority on our defensive performance, and today was a really good first step.”
The team is now sitting with a record of three wins and one loss, looking forward to next weekend’s games against the Toronto Varsity Blues on Friday, Sept. 12, and Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Sunday, Sept. 14. Both games will take place at Matt Anthony Field; get your tickets here to cheer on the Gee-Gees women’s soccer team at home.
