GEE-GEES BREAK THROUGH RIDGEBACKS’ DEFENCE IN PURSUIT OF OUA GOLD
The Gee-Gees women’s soccer team hosted the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks in an OUA quarter-final matchup at Matt Anthony Field on Saturday.
Despite ranking among the OUA’s lowest-scoring offensive teams, the Ridgebacks entered the quarter-final riding momentum after upsetting Queen’s the previous week. Ontario Tech had not won a playoff game since 2017, nor had it defeated Ottawa in that span. Having already pulled off one upset, the Ridgebacks were looking to defy the odds once again.
Ontario Tech goalkeeper Londyn Thornton stood firm against the Gee-Gees’ potent attack, turning aside 11 of Ottawa’s 15 shots on goal. However, cracks in the Ridgebacks’ defensive posture eventually emerged and their offence struggled to generate chances. Ottawa capitalized on both ends, securing a 4-0 shutout to eliminate Ontario Tech from the playoffs.
For the Gee-Gees, hosting the quarter-final marked a return to home-field advantage after their record fell short of earning them a home playoff game last season.
“Being able to host the quarter-final at home again feels like a reward for all the hard work we’ve put in… There’s also a sense of pride that comes with competing on our home turf, surrounded by our whole team, family and fans,” said Gee-Gees forward Sabrina Mangiaracina.
The fourth-year Management student has been a driving force behind Ottawa’s attack, leading the OUA in scoring with 26 points and recording two hat tricks this season.
Mangiaracina entered the quarter-final with a target on her back, as Thornton and Ridgebacks defender Abbie Russell were fixed on shutting down her opportunities in the first twenty minutes of the game.
The Ridgebacks adopted a defensive approach early on, with as many as six players crowding the top of the 18-yard box whenever the Gee-Gees pushed forward. Ontario Tech held off Ottawa from opening the scoring longer than most teams could manage, but what’s delayed is not denied against a hungry Gee-Gees offence. In the 30th minute, the Ridgebacks finally made a costly mistake by giving Somers space to cut inside and slot home the opener.
Shortly after, a mispass from Ridgebacks’ Karlia Jean-Baptiste handed the Gee-Gees a corner kick. Celina Bensebaa delivered the set piece, with Clare Sun heading the ball toward Mangiaracina, who was positioned in front of the net to finish and extend Ottawa’s lead to 2-0.
Bensebaa has been another standout for the Gee-Gees this season, no small feat on an already stacked roster. “She’s taken on the playmaker role and is a key part of how we build our attack,” said Mangiaracina. “I’m so proud of her for breaking the OUA single-season assists record!”
With five minutes remaining in the first half, Somers drew a foul in the box during a two-on-one attack, earning Ottawa a penalty kick. Mangiaracina stepped up to the spot and drove the ball into the bottom-left corner. Thornton read the shot and dove in the right direction, but could not reach it in time as Ottawa extended its lead 3-0.
The Ridgebacks refused to let the gap widen further, with Jean-Baptiste holding firm in a one-on-one against Somers. The defender forced the Gee-Gees forward wide, pushing her onto her left foot and narrowing the angle to give Thornton a chance to make the save and keep the deficit from growing.
Unfortunately for Thornton, the Gee-Gees came out of halftime still looking to showcase the full extent of their offensive firepower. Just minutes into the second half, Mangiaracina weaved past two defenders before setting up Camille Bolduc, who slotted home Ottawa’s fourth goal.
With the lead stretched to 4-0, the Gee-Gees began rotating in younger players from the bench, giving their depth an opportunity to see the pitch as Ottawa closed in on a semifinal berth. Despite the four-goal deficit, Gee-Gees forward Erica Tsang fired two dangerous shots from the left side that were both denied by an unrelenting Thornton.
“Despite only being a sophomore, Erica is a force on the wing,” praised Mangiaracina. “She brings both technical ability and physical strength to our play.”
The remainder of the second half saw the Gee-Gees continue to lean on their bench to preserve the 4-0 shutout and see out the win. Against one of the OUA’s lowest-scoring teams, Ottawa comfortably managed the closing minutes to conserve its energy ahead of next week’s semifinal.
The Gee-Gees women’s soccer team will host the OUA semifinal at Matt Anthony Field on Oct. 31. They’ll face up against either the York Lions or Brock Badgers, depending on the outcome of today’s 6:15 p.m. matchup. One thing is certain: get your tickets now and show up to support the squad as they continue their quest to reclaim OUA gold!
