SEASON PREVIEW: Women’s soccer opens season at home against York

The Gee-Gees women's soccer season will open with a grudge match.

Ottawa's quest for another deep playoff run begins at home on Saturday, Sept. 25 against the York Lions. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Matt Anthony Field.

The match is a significant one, as the Lions eliminated the Gee-Gees in the semi-finals of the OUA playoffs in 2019, ending the program's attempt to defend as National Champions. Ottawa rallied the very next day to secure the OUA bronze medal.

Since the end of the 2019 fall season, the Gee-Gees have been busy. The team won the 2019 FISU University World Cup in JinJiang, China. Upon returning to Canada, Ottawa captured the 2020 RSEQ indoor league title, being named champions despite the season being shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"I'm excited to see the new players that we've got," said Johnson, who forecasts that half of the lineup will be comprised of rookies. "I don't want to say it's a rebuilding year, but it's a brand-new season with perhaps one of the youngest teams in the country."

The Gee-Gees open the season at number four in the U SPORTS Top 10 rankings. Their schedule sees them play ten regular season contests, with playoffs slated to get underway in early November.

After a full season off, there will be plenty of new faces in the Gee-Gees lineup, but a core of veterans remains that will lead the team in 2021.

The Garnet and Grey attack is spearheaded by senior forward Emma Lefebvre. Back for a fifth-year, Lefebvre was named to the OUA East Second All-Star Team in each of her last two seasons, and boasts 24 regular season goals in her career.

In addition to Lefebvre returning for a fifth campaign, the Gee-Gees will benefit from a fully healthy Angelina Gendreau. Her debut was delayed by a pre-season injury in 2019, but Gendreau turned heads during the RSEQ winter indoor season, leading the Garnet and Grey with five goals in six matches.

Meanwhile, Trinity Esprit enjoyed an outstanding 2019 season, being named the MVP of the FISU World Cup. 

"I'm feeling good, it's been a couple of years now and I'm excited to get playing again," said Esprit. "I love the team atmosphere with other [uOttawa] teams coming to support us, so it's going to be exciting."

Playing alongside Esprit on the back line will be Julia Tardioli and Adriane Devlin, who look to fill the void at centre back left by departed seniors Cooper Lee and Thea Nour. 

"I do think we'll play a little bit differently than we did in 2018 and 2019 at the back," said Johnson. "With only a ten-game schedule, we'll have to be so good at the back."

With long-time starting goalkeeper Margot Shore graduated and now playing professionally in Italy, Cassidy Joslin takes over as the team's number one. A transfer from Detroit Mercy, Joslin appeared in six NCAA D-1 games in 2019.

"I'm super stoked, can't wait to get back out there," said Joslin. "It's certainly been tough for all athletes. With the year off, it gave us more time to prepare and more time as a team to really get to know one another."

Tickets for Saturday's season opener and all uOttawa varsity events must be purchased beforehand at tickets.geegees.ca. Any fans planning on attending an event are encouraged to read the Tickets and Gameday Information document, which includes pertinent health and safety measures. The document can be found HERE.

Saturday's match will be streamed live on OUA.tv.