WINDSOR TURNS TWO MINUTES INTO TRIUMPH OVER THE GEE-GEES WITH TIE-BREAKING DRIVE
In their second last game of the regular season on Oct. 11, the Gee-Gees late surge was no match for the early lead built by the Lancers. Windsor secured the win with a 30–24 decision, handing the Gees their fourth loss of the season.
On Oct. 26, just a few weeks later, the two teams met again at the Lancers’ Alumni Field in Windsor for the OUA quarterfinal match-up. Ottawa was going into the game seeking not just redemption, but also a ticket to the semi-final.
The Gees clawed their way back from a 14 point deficit to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, but a last-minute Windsor touchdown ended Ottawa’s hopes for a comeback. Falling 31–24 to the Lancers, the Gee-Gees’ postseason run came to a close that Saturday afternoon.
The game began with Windsor taking an early lead on their opening drive. Quarterback Nick Dimovski orchestrated a 84-yard march before finding receiver Colby Ginn in the end zone. Brady Lidster’s subsequent field goal gave the Lancers a 7-0 lead.
Ottawa kept composure as quarterback Josh Janssen connected with Emyl Gregoire and Charles Asselin on multiple key plays which set up a short-yardage touchdown run from Riley Hildebrandt. The first-quarter culminated with the score tied at 7-7.
Early in the second quarter, Weabge Mombo’s touchdown run put the Lancers ahead 14-7. Moments later, Liam Talbot powered in a 39-yard rushing touchdown which pushed Windsor’s advantage to 21-7.
The Gee-Gees struggled early in the second half, including a missed field goal by kicker Zachary Copeland and a costly sack on Janssen that forced long-yardage situations.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Gees finally broke through with a strong drive that culminated in a touchdown by Souleymane Camara that cut Windsor’s lead to 24-17.
The game took a thrilling turn when Gee-Gees receiver Derrick Garraud-Boucard’s touchdown leveled the score at 24-24 with two minutes remaining.
With only a minute left, Windsor’s Dimovski fumbled in the end zone, but Mombo heroically recovered the loose ball and punched in a game clinching touchdown. The dramatic scoring drive pushed Windsor ahead 31-24 with just 20 seconds remaining.
Ottawa’s final drive of the season ended with an interception by Kevin Rakowska, cementing the Lancers’ victory.
The Gees showed standout moments, particularly through Janssen’s connection with Gregoire and Asselin, but a failure to convert in the red zone ultimately cost them.
With the win, Windsor advances to the OUA semifinals, as the Gee-Gees return home with their campaign concluded and to a U of O community that is proud nonetheless.
