“We all play for each other and it’s a really special feeling knowing that everyone has your back”
The long awaited OUA soccer championship was held on Saturday afternoon at Matt Anthony Field. The Gee-Gees looked to be the first team to three-peat in the OUA championship, while the Nipissing Lakers looked to win their first. During the game, both teams held a lead at one point, great goals were scored, and eventually history would be made as the Gee-Gees would win, becoming the first team in OUA history to win three consecutive titles.
The Gees would play their typical 4-3-3, matched up against the Lakers heavy midfield with three in the back. In the fourth minute, the Lakers were granted a free kick from the wing, but the strong Gees defense would not allow any space.
In the eighth minute, OUA East MVP Cassandra Provost was on the break, and would have a shot but would be saved by Lakers keeper Hayden Hanley. In the 18th minute, the Lakers Annika Nolte would play a lobbed through ball to Cassidy Brooks who headed it over Gees keeper Cassidy Joslin, putting them first on the board 1-0. The Lakers would get another free kick 20 yards out which would be grabbed up high by Joslin.
In the 30th minute, Dlamini would be off, and chip it over Hanley, but would be called offside. In the 36th minute, Katie Brzozowski would play it down the wing to Allana Oriente who would cross it into the goal scoring threat Provost who delivered on a turn around strike to the back of the Lakers net, tying the game at 1-1.
Only a couple minutes later, Jenna Matsukubo would be fouled in the box, giving the Gees All-Star Nibo Dlamini — known to be clutch against the Lakers — a penalty kick. Dlamini would slot the ball top right, leaving no chance for Hanley and regaining the lead for the Gees at 2-1. In the final minute of the half, Eva Bouity would send a header just wide.
The Gees almost started off the half strong, with Dlamini sending a lob to Provost, but would be just wide. In the 57th minute it would be Brooks off a half volley striking it fast over Joslin for her second goal of the game, equalizing the score at 2-2.
Oriente would have a freekick from the right side corner, crossed into a crowded Lakers box and would be knocked out for another corner. After the corner, a rebounding ball off the bar was blasted home by the speedy Matsukubo to put the Gees up 3-2. With 20 minutes remaining the Gees would play their possessions with caution as the Lakers played a defensive press.
In the 77th, the Gees Élianne Gervais had a stellar shot, but was deflected out by Hanley. In the 81st, attacking midfielder Dlamini would return to the pitch. Hanley would go on to make two spectacular saves from the immense offense of the Gees, keeping the Lakers in the game.
It would be Gervais looking to score from a pass from Sabrina Mangiaracina, with an absolute banger outside the box, Gervais put the Gees up 4-2. With time running out, the Gees were in close reach of achieving the first three-peat in OUA history. And history it was as the Gees cemented their OUA dynasty being the first team to win three championships in row, and their 12th championship in program history.
Coach Johnson and the team have done it again, finishing off the season with a OUA championship, with a season record of 11 wins and only one loss. They scored a staggering 45 goals, and only conceded four.
Gee-Gees celebrate with their keeper Cassidy Joslin after the final whistle blows. Photo: Tim Austen/Gee-Gees 
The championship is the program’s 12th. Photo: Tim Austen/Gee-Gees 
Allana Oriente picked up the assist on Cass Provost’s opening goal. Photo: Tim Austen/Gee-Gees 
Veteran Cass Provost, in her last game at Matt Anthony, poses with rookie Celina Bensebaa. Photo: Tim Austen/Gee-Gees 
The Gee-Gees are the first OUA women’s soccer team to three-peat. Photo: Tim Austen/Gee-Gees
“We had 2 previous games vs Nipissing and used those experiences to prep the team for what we expected to see on Saturday,” said Johnson. “The team faced the situation of being down a goal and having to respond against Guelph. That prior experience helped the team with the belief that they could respond.”
He continued, “This team has accomplished something that none of the other Gee-Gees teams from the past were able to do. It takes character, grit, talent, and a bit of luck in each of the three past years. Our opponents have been quality opposition, and I am proud that we were able to meet the challenge.”
It’s a bittersweet moment for the team as they have several key players graduating, but also many returning star players. When record goalscorer Provost was asked about her time with the team and the game, she said “It was a really great experience and an amazing team all 4 years while I was there! A winning mentality and amazing talented players. The championship was really important for us to make sure that we could keep the winning streak going and we did that so we are really proud of ourselves for that. It’s an amazing feeling and we are excited to go to the nationals and do a great job there next!”
Captain Maya Smith led the defence for the team, playing a key outlet for the offence. When asked about the game, the captain said “Today was definitely a battle, even though we went down first we knew the game plan and that we needed to play our game. We kept our composure and believed that we would find the back of the net. Going into halftime leading felt great because we knew we had gained confidence. We also knew that Nipissing is not a team that gives up. At half we wanted to score early and give ourselves as much of a lead as we could because we knew against when they played Queen’s, a two goal lead wasn’t enough. When they tied up the game with a nice finish we knew we had to give it our all.” The captain will be returning for her fifth year with the team next year.
Attacking midfielder star Nibo Dlamini had yet another great performance against the Lakers, scoring a penalty kick to gain the lead. Postgame she said “I felt really good about the game, it’s the second time we’ve been able to come back from being behind and win the game and I think that says a lot about how much grit and determination we have as a team. We always believe in each other and it really reflects in moments like these games when we’re facing a really good team. Nipissing this season has been a really good matchup for us, they play with a lot of heart and are very talented all across the board so knowing this we we really had to bring today if we wanted to win, we also took a lot of time to prepare to play against them today as well as during the season, so stepping onto the field we knew what our game plan was and I think we executed it brilliantly. My time with the team has been the best four years of my life and I couldn’t be more grateful to be here, we all play for each other and it’s a really special feeling knowing that everyone has your back.” Dlamini will be returning for a fifth season with the team.
The Gee-Gees will take on the nation’s best university squads next weekend in Halifax from November 7–10. They enter ranked second in the nation behind the UBC Thunderbirds, but after seeing the OUA championship, the Gees are in a great spot with a healthy team, looking to win yet another tournament to finish off a historic season.
