Despite loss, several Gee-Gees players recognized for work on and off field
The Gee-Gees women’s soccer team put an end to their Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoff run on Oct. 29, after losing a heartbreaking shootout to Queen’s.
Things looked good for the Gees going into the game, as they’d dropped Queen’s 4-0 in the regular season.
When the game started, the Gees came out strong, setting the pace early in the first half. Eventually, midfielder Katherine Bearne, who notched eight goals and two assists during the regular season, put one home for the University of Ottawa to make it 1-0.
To close out the half, Queen’s put on the pressure and tied the game at 1-1.
Tensions ran high, with each side having a goal disallowed by the referees.
After a scoreless second half, the game went on to overtime. But even two 15-minute periods of extra time couldn’t crown a victor, so the game went to a shootout.
After a long, close game, a miss by the Gees in the shootout spelled the end of their playoff chances, handing the 2-1 victory to Queen’s.
It was a disappointing end to the season for a team that went 10-5-1 in the regular season, while leading such categories as shots on goal and assists, and coming second in goals scored during the regular season. Once again, a lack of consistent offence in the playoffs cost the team dearly.
Though the early exit will mean the team will miss out on the U Sports championship once again, the team knows they’ll get a berth next year, as they will be hosting it.
Despite the loss, the team did get recognition for the players’ hard work. Seven Gee-Gees players were recognized by the OUA for their strong performances this year, both on and off the field.
Hannah Landry, a Gees defender and fourth-year health sciences student, won the OUA East Community Service Award for her role in working to advance mental health programs at the U of O.
Landry volunteers at the Minister of Health’s office, is a member of Canadian Society of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and has assisted with research on the effects of toxicants on the maternal brain.
The Gee-Gees also had four players named to the first all-star team, including Bearne, defenders Kayla DaCosta-Pachecho and Cooper Lee, and midfielder Miranda Smith.
They also had two players named to the second all-star team: goaltender Margot Shore and midfielder Katerin Delev.
