RECAP: Ottawa finishes group stage undefeated, advances to semi-final
The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees have completed the group stage of the Kelme 2019 FISU University World Cup – Football with an undefeated 3-0 record.
JINJIANG, China (U SPORTS) – The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees have completed the group stage of the Kelme 2019 FISU University World Cup – Football with an undefeated 3-0 record thanks to a 4-2 victory over the College of Asian Scholars (Thailand) on Tuesday.
The victory sets Ottawa up with a semi-final match against Beijing Normal University, which finished second in its group with a 2-1-0 record. The match will be played on Thursday, November 28 at 7 a.m. ET.
Against the College of Asian Scholars, which finished second in Ottawa's group, the Gee-Gees quickly grabbed hold of the match with a goal by Delaney Rickert-Hall in the first minute of play. It was trademark Rickert-Hall as she collected a service from Emma Lefebvre, used her body to get in position around a defender, and fired a shot from the penalty spot into the bottom corner of the net. It was the first goal of the tournament for Rickert-Hall.
The Asian Scholars equalized at the eight-minute mark, but Katherine Bearne put the Canadians on top with her first goal of the tournament. Mikayla Morton made an excellent play on the endline to keep the ball in play and delivered the ball to Bearne for the finish in front of the net.
Ottawa then extended its lead to 3-1 before half time, converting on a corner kick opportunity. Emma Lefebvre notched her third goal of the tournament, and the goal stood as the game-winner. Angelina Gendreau added an insurance marker at the 80-minute mark after the Thai team had closed the gap to 3-2. The goal was a strong open field play by Gendreau and Kaylane Hogue, showing the Gee-Gees team speed.
Ottawa has outscored its opponents by a 9-2 margin through the three group stage games and have goals from six different players. Lefebvre has the team lead with three goals, followed by Gendreau with two.
Up next, Ottawa will face Beijing Normal University in the semifinals with a chance to play for the World Cup title on the line. Kick-off is set for 8 p.m. local time (7 a.m. EST/ 4 a.m. PST).