RECAP: Gee-Gees beat Rams, will host Final Four

The Gee-Gees women's soccer team topped the Ryerson Rams 5-0 in the OUA quarterfinal on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Matt Antony Field.

With the victory, the University of Ottawa will host the 2019 OUA Women's Soccer Final Four at Gee-Gees Field on November 1-2. 

The Gee-Gees turned in a dominant performance, limiting Ryerson to only four shots while scoring four goals in the first half. 

Trinity Esprit opened the scoring 16 minutes in with a powerful strike into the roof of the net from outside the 18-yard box. Goalkeeper Elisa Lapadula got a piece of the shot, but couldn't keep it out.

"I just wasn't expecting it," said Esprit, a first-year defender from Scarborough, Ont. "I looked and there really wasn't anyone to pass to, so I said, 'ya know what, I'm just going to hit it.' We did well in the game – we finished it in the first half." 

Ottawa kept the pressure on, with an Esprit cross being directed into the net for an own goal. Mikayla Morton got on the end of an Adriane Devlin corner and Thea Nour converted a penalty kick before the half was out to give Ottawa a commanding 4-0 lead.

The field leveled out in the second half as the Rams pushed for a comeback and Ottawa rested some of their starters. The Gee-Gees defence held firm, and the home team was rewarded with a stunning strike from Hailey Walsh. Walsh's first-time shot from 25 yards out sailed into the top corner, giving Ottawa a convincing 5-0 advantage.

Margot Shore and Gabrielle Emilien split time in goal, making four saves to combine for the clean sheet.

The Final Four features the two top teams from the OUA East and the OUA West divisions. Semi-final matchups take place on Friday, November 1 and the final and third-place games are scheduled for Saturday, November 2. The two finalists gain entry into the 2019 U SPORTS National Championship in Victoria, B.C.

Tickets for the Final Four are available at tickets.geegees.ca.