Damp weather could not soften U of T’s disciplined play as Women’s Soccer locked down a spot in the playoffs over the weekend. At 21 points, the Blues (5-3-6) are battling with Laurentian (6-3-6) for the fourth seed in the Eastern Division, hoping to retain home field advantage.

Playoff push

Helming a young team this year, Coach Beth McCharles said the key to shutting down opponents over the season has been strategy.

“To win, we need to stick to our system as much as possible,” she said. “The team performs well both mentally and physically, and plays every game hard. Hopefully we will peak during the playoffs.”

Relying on veteran players like Loretta Dethomasis and Katie Hill will help the team get there, McCharles said.

“Loretta is the backbone of the back line, and while Katie is coming off of an injury, we’re hoping she reaches her peak during the playoffs to lead the team,” McCharles said. “Through the coaching staff’s decision making, we empower our captains to lead the team. Chemistry is fantastic this year, and that makes a tremendous difference.”

While experience and health are aspects gradually working in the Blues’ favour, there are still a few things the team needs to work on.

“We need to capitalize on our chances upfront, and put the ball away when we can,” McCharles said. “We need to keep to our style of play and not to our opponents. Hopefully we will make the final four and be one of the three teams going to the Nationals in Victoria.”

Test of character

Over the weekend, the Blues will travel to our nation’s capital and play their last two regular matches of the season. U of T will face the Ontario University Athletic East’s second and third seeded teams, Ottawa (8-1-5) and Carleton (9-2-3). “It’s going to be a tough outing, but it’ll show us what going to the playoffs is all about,” McCharles said.

In another potential post-season match up, the Blues tested their character Saturday when they hosted division leader and the Canadian Interuniversity Sport’s fourth-ranked team, Queens (9-1-3). The Blues fought hard and forced a scoreless draw, as goalkeeper Maryanne Barnes made the difference. Barnes kept the Golden Gael’s offence at bay, with the help of rookie defender Danielle Marquis. Striker Lindsay Lashley paced the attack, but couldn’t find the back of the net for the Blues.

“Queens is the top team in OUA right now and they have the top scorer [in Eilish McConville with 15 goals],” McCharles said. “The second half was the best play I’ve seen. We moved the ball well. I’m really proud of the girls.”

Too little, too late

Sunday’s game against the Royal Military College (1-10-3) proved to be much more of a challenge for the hosting Blues. This is RMC’s second year competing in the OUA, and they made their first ever regular season game against the Blues one to remember, posting their first win of the year.

To counter RMC’s physical approach, U of T looked to their speed up front and committed to a possession style of play. The Blues’ offensive spark came, but it was too little and too late as the Paladins defeated U of T 2-1.

RMC opened with Calley Gray’s goal in the 18th minute. The Blues attempted to equalize in highlight reel fashion, as Blues defender Danielle Marquis headed a corner kick at the net. Paladin goalie Fallon McIntyre was up to the challenge, diving to palm the ball out of play and keep RMC’s 1-0 lead going into the half.

“That save really helped us set the tone, and keep the momentum,” said RMC Coach Chad Beaulieu.

The Paladins kept up the intensity, attacking immediately after the half and scoring three minutes into the second with a shot from midfielder Emily Bowen.

Down by two, the Blues didn’t back off and set-up an extremely high-pressured attack. Erica Basso’s goal in the 65th minute put the Blues back in the game, but in the end it was all they could muster.

With the win, RMC made their presence felt.

“We made a few errors that RMC capitalized on,” McCharles said. “We were hoping to pick up those two points.”

While the loss was a stinger, the Blues don’t plan on letting it get them down. The next two games are critical, especially in their desire to play at home in the postseason. “We are in the playoffs, McCharles said. “But the next two games will let us know if we’ll have to travel.”