“I always want to improve, and I feel like this title is just a way to show how hard I worked”
It’s tough to have a better year than the season Cassandra Provost had last year with the U of O. The third-year striker led the nation in both goals and points, setting team records for both in the process. Provost scored an astonishing 18 goals in just 12 games for the Gees, five coming in the last game of the season, against Laurentian.
When asked about the 2023 season, it’s clear that Provost isn’t finished quite yet. “My aspiration coming into this season was honestly just to keep doing what I started last year and prove that I can do more. I always want to improve, and I feel like this title is just a way to show how hard I worked”.
After the regular season, she travelled with the team to the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Americas tournament. The Gee-Gees took home a gold medal from Merida, Mexico, where the tournament was held.
“FISU was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I feel like the team got way closer during that time both on and off the field. Playing against a lot of experienced and talented players showed that we can also be one of those one day. I think that it shows our potential, and that we just need to adjust to the opponents. I think this experience was a gain for every athlete and a great way to step up our game.”
The striker was rewarded with the Chantel Navert Memorial Award for U SPORTS Player of the Year for her efforts, the third in the program’s history.
On Friday, Provost and the team travelled to Toronto, where they were set to play two games over the weekend. Friday saw them match up against a tough U of T defence, and the two were tied 0-0 at halftime. But just 30 seconds into the second half, camped out near the top of the 18-yard box, Provost headed the ball perfectly into the top corner of the net and past the Varsity Blues goaltender.
Later in the half, Provost was gift-wrapped a ball that was misplayed by the keeper and she easily sent it right back into the goal. The Gees now led 2-0.
Toronto responded with a goal, but Ottawa pulled away with another header, this time from Gabrielle Ferland. It was the rookie defender’s first goal as a Gee-Gee. Although the Blues responded in extra time, it was too late to mount a comeback, and the Gees held on to win 3-2.
On Sunday, the team played a matinee at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). And this time, the Gees didn’t have to wait long to get on the board. Provost started the scoring off just ten minutes into the game by sending a no-look shot along the ground that snuck past the TMU keeper.
After a deep shot by fourth-year Allana Oriente flew past the TMU goalie to extend the lead, it was again Provost’s turn to provide offence for the away team. She used her head for the second game in a row to fool the keeper and rack up her fourth goal of the trip.
2023 RSEQ First Team All-Star (Indoor) Maya Smith added a header of her own to put the Gees in front 4-1 going into halftime. The third-year defender is another on the team who hails from Ottawa; she attended Mother Teresa High School in Nepean.
The heading didn’t stop there, and neither did Provost. With about 15 minutes left to play, she sent yet another successful header past the blue-clad goaltender.
Provost finished the game with a hat trick, and her weekend with a total of five goals. She also becomes an early favourite to win the 2023 U SPORTS Player of the Year for women’s soccer. The U of O improves to 3-0-0 on the season with the weekend sweep. After a bye week, the Gee-Gees will host Queens at Matt Anthony Field at 1 p.m. on Sept. 24.
Queens also holds a record of 3-0-0. Provost said, “It is 100 per cent a game that we are looking forward to play. Queens and [the U of O] have always been among the top teams [in the OUA] and I feel like Queens is one of our biggest challenges every year”. Tickets are available here.
