PREVIEW: #1 women’s soccer begins playoff run against the Varsity Blues

Photo: Tim Austen
Photo: Tim Austen
October 26, 2023

Saturday, October 28

  • The Matchup: #1 Ottawa Gee-Gees (11-0-1) vs Toronto Varsity Blues (6-4-2)
  • Location: Matt Anthony Field
  • Kickoff: 12:00 p.m.
  • Last meeting: Ottawa 3, Toronto 2 – Sep. 10, 2023 at Varsity Stadium
  • Broadcast: OUA.tv

The Gee-Gees are set to host the entirety of their OUA playoff run, starting with Saturday's quarterfinal matchup against the Varsity Blues. Ottawa played an impressive 11-0-1 season to finish first in the OUA, the only blemish on their record a 0-0 draw with Queens in September.

After a single goal decided the Ravens and Varsity Blues game on Wednesday night, the Varsity Blues earned their place in the OUA quarterfinal and will face the Gee-Gees at 12 p.m. on Matt Anthony Field. The winner will move on to the OUA semi-final and be one step close to earning a national championship berth.

OTTAWA GAME NOTES

  • Major stat leaders
  • Recognized as the top team in the nation following the final weekend of the regular season, the Gee-Gees have earned home field advantage for the 2023 OUA playoffs.
  • Cassandra Provost concluded the regular season with 23 total goals to lead the OUA and break the Gee-Gees regular season goal record she set last year. Provost scored four hat tricks, including a pair of four goal games.
  • Cassidy Joslin was the only U SPORTS keeper to go without a goal scored against her. This can be credited to her ability to stop the ball when called upon, but also how unbreakable the Gee-Gees defence proved to be throughout regular season play. Ottawa only conceded four goals in the 2023 regular season.

TORONTO GAME NOTES

  • Major stat leaders
    • Goals: Hannah Chown – 8
    • Assists: Natasha Budisa – 3
  • Toronto scored a single goal against Carleton to move on to the OUA quarterfinal. Anne Yeomans was the lone goal scorer.
  • The Varsity Blues first goal against the Gee-Gees was a penalty kick scored by Hannah Chown. Toronto scored again late in the game and the two-goal effort was the most any team scored on Ottawa throughout the season.
  • Toronto ended the regular season with a four game winning streak, and continued to build their momentum with the playoff win over Carleton.