On October 25, the Varsity Blues’ Women’s Soccer team hosted the Western Mustangs at Varsity Stadium in a high-stakes Ontario University Athletics (OUA) semi-final playoff match. As the top-seeded team in the OUA East conference, the Blues continued their playoff run by securing a ticket to the finals and a berth at the U SPORTS National Championship with a tight 1–0 win. 

What happened?  

From the onset of the first half, both teams played aggressively as they jostled for the first goal. Blues’ third-year goalie Maria Godoy-Atrash held her ground as she blocked all three shots against the goal, while the Mustangs’ goalie Samantha St. Croix matched her effort on the other side of the pitch to keep the score level. 

The game-deciding moment came in the 31st minute as midfielder Maddy Mah made a scoring attempt in the Mustangs’ penalty area. The shot was blocked by St. Croix, and the ball rebounded into the air. 

In the chaos and before the ball hit the ground, second-year midfielder Emilija Lucic was able to capitalize with a header, which sent the ball into the left side of the goal. The half ended with the Blues leading 1–0. 

Midfielder Emilija Lucic scored the game’s lone goal to give the Blues a win. OLAOLUWA AJIBOYE/THE VARSITY

The second half remained intense as Western fought valiantly to even up the score. However, with solid team defence, the Blues were able to retain their lead. After 45 more minutes of play and a stoppage time of four minutes, the Blues emerged victorious with a final score of 1–0, and Godoy-Atrash claimed another clean sheet. 

In a post-game interview with The Varsity, fifth-year defender and captain Hannah Chown spoke about what led to their victory today: “[Our coach has told us that] when it comes to games like this, it’s all about your character. And I think [this game] just proved the sort of character that our team has. If you’re gritty, we’re not giving up. It doesn’t matter if it’s the 12th minute or the [80th] minute. We keep going, we keep going, and we just push until the end.”

The Blues celebrate following the game. WILLIAM KUK/THE VARSITY

What’s next? 

The Blues continued their journey to forging program history in pursuit of their first OUA championship on November 1 against the Guelph Griffons. They will also compete at the USPORTS national championship hosted by McMaster University in Hamilton from November 6–9.

As for how the team will prepare for the gold-medal match, Chown makes it evident that they have clear goals in mind. “Have another good week of training. 100 per cent focus… It’s gonna be a battle. It just depends [on] who wants it more on the day.”