The Warriors hosted their first of three dates this OUA season on Saturday, October 9th at St. David's Catholic High School in Waterloo defeating the York Lions 2-0 and losing 3-0 to the Guelph Gryphons.
Sitting in sixth place and out of a playoff position the Warriors took to the field for a morning game against third place York University. Determined to move up the standings, the team played an aggressive style of defence and focussed on taking the play away from the more skilled players on the York team. If not for some stellar saves by the York goalkeeper, the Warriors would have scored early and often. As it were, the players were starting to feel comfortable with their passing and attacked with fluidity and Maria Leahy (Waterloo, Ont.) put the Warriors up at the 17th minute mark after a scramble in front of the net.
York were getting frustrated and began playing a more physical game but the Warriors didn't back down and in fact, were the team to draw the first of five cards (which resulted in players having to sit in the “penalty chair” for 2 minutes – a new rule). This tough play continued and despite controlling the game, the result was only secured in the 68th minute with a lovely lofted ball by Natalie Chemij (Mississauga, Ont.) with her reverse stick over York's goalkeeper. The Warriors picked up 3 crucial points in the 2-0 victory. Keeper Bronwen Clayfield-Jewett (Waterloo, Ont.) picked up the shutout.
The afternoon game brought the Guelph Gryphons and memories of a tough first game against Guelph came back. Perhaps it was nerves of a possible similar outcome which led to a quick goal (in the 4 minute) to put the Warriors down 1-0. However, the team didn't want to have the same result and battled back, with the game becoming a fairly even contest. Play was primarily between the 25 yard lines (so, in the middle of the field) and it wasn't until five minutes before the half-time whistle, when Guelph capitalized again on a slip by the Warriors goalkeeper to put the Gryphons up 2-0 going into half.
In the second half, the Warriors came out strong with the aggressive defence seen in the morning game against York. The Guelph team were slightly rattled and didn't like how things were going but with some rough stick tackles not being penalized, the Warriors could not get the upper hand in the midfield which would have resulted in more scoring opportunities. As it was, the Warriors couldn't seem to get the breaks within the D and didn't get on the score sheet and Guelph was able to secure the result with a 3rd goal at the 45th minute mark for the victory. However, the Warriors (who fielded 2 new players) were able to head off for Thanksgiving Day celebrations with their heads high.
Thanks to all the fans who came out to cheer the Warriors on.
The team now sits three points back of third place but with a game in hand, and matches this coming weekend against McGill and Carleton in Kingston, have high hopes of putting the pressure on York and Western for that coveted playoff position.
Weekend Goals: Maria Leahy (Waterloo/) (1), Natalie Chemij (Mississauga/) (1)
