GEE-GEES’ LATE SURGE NOT ENOUGH IN HOME OPENER LOSS
In their 2024 season, the U of O women’s soccer team trailblazed as the first-ever OUA program to capture three consecutive championships – a feat that was earned from a title match win against the Nipissing Lakers. A year later, the Gees dropped their home opener 3-2 to the Lakers at Matt Anthony Field this past Saturday.
The loss reflects an adjustment period for the Gees following the departures of forwards Cassandra Provost, Jenna Matsukubo, and Allana Oriente. In tandem with Laura Salgado stepping into the goalkeeper role following Cassidy Joslin’s departure.
Returning for her final season, defender Maya Smith acknowledges that, “It’s definitely a new team, so it’s just about getting that team chemistry right and getting to know each other’s styles of play. We definitely did lose the three at the front, so it’s just about making those connections there.”
After securing two consecutive wins against the Excalibur and the Ridgebacks on the road the week prior, the Gee-Gees’ new roster showed promise.
First Half
Just 90 seconds into the first half, the Lakers struck first. With midfielder Alicia McMurren launching a pass across the stretch of the field to Alanna Delle Monache. Her strike, with the help of a gust of wind, floated past Salgado to give Nipissing an early 1–0 lead.
Later on, the Gees were awarded a free kick just outside the box in the 22nd minute, which set up a dangerous chance for forward Nibo Dlamini. Her strike bent toward the goal, but Lakers keeper Madison Heeley was well-positioned to collect the ball.
Still trailing 1–0 in the 40th minute, the Gees were handed a bittersweet chance to equalize when Lakers defender Emily Tierney committed a yellow-card foul which sidelined Soumaya Bouak for the rest of the game. Dlamini stepped up and fired her penalty past Heeley, who until then had been unyielding with six saves, finally breaking through to make it 1–1.
A few minutes later, Delle Monache lofted the ball into the box for Annika Nolte who buried it past Salgado at the stroke of halftime, putting the Lakers ahead 2–1.
Second Half
Going into the second half, the Gee-Gees tirelessly pursued chances to tie the game with shots from Vivian Johnson that were twice denied on the line by Tierney.
With the Lakers leading 2–1 midway through the second half, Annika Nolte passed to Cassidy Brooks, who laid it off to McMurren. McMurren quickly returned it in a one-two, setting Brooks up to tap it in, putting their team ahead at 3–1.
With four minutes left in the game, Smith powered a header into the net off Dlamini’s free kick, cutting the deficit to 3–2.
The Gee-Gees side continued to press in the final minutes, but could not find the equalizer. Closing out with Heeley turning aside a last-ditch effort from Sabrina Mangiaracina to seal the Lakers’ victory.
Going Forward
Reflecting on the rivalry between the two teams, Smith said, “We knew that this was going to be one of our toughest games of the year. We’re really going to sit in this loss, we’re not going to want to feel this way again. We’re going to work hard to make sure it doesn’t [happen again].”
Acknowledging the significant changes in their roster, Coach Steve Johnson said, “It was a huge loss losing the front three that we had last year, but it’s not like we didn’t have high quality opportunities at net. We just didn’t finish them.”
The Gee-Gees outshot the Lakers 18–11 and earned nine corner kicks, but managed just two finishes against a disciplined Nipissing back line.
Nipissing secured a season-opening victory, putting U of O at 2-1 in the OUA. The loss rattles the Gee-Gees’ dynasty, as Sunday’s match-up against the Voyageurs sets the stage for redemption.
