LONDON, Ont. (November 2, 2018) – The No.9 Queen's Gaels (8-3-5, 1-1) fell to the Western Mustangs (9-2-5, 3-0) in dramatic fashion in Friday's OUA semifinal matchup.
The Mustangs took a 3-2 overtime win to secure a spot in the OUA Championship game, meanwhile with the heartbreaking loss the Gaels must now battle for their U SPORTS Championship lives.
OUA BRONZE MEDAL GAME
The Gaels will take on the McMaster Marauders in the OUA Bronze Medal game on Sunday at 11:00am. With U SPORTS host' Ottawa in the gold medal game, the winner of the bronze medal game will earn a berth into the U SPORTS National Championship.
GAME FLOW
It took nearly 25 minutes until the first shot of the game was registered as both teams were feeling each other out to start the contest.
There was just one shot per side in the first half as the two teams entered halftime at a scoreless draw.
The second half is when the action started to ramp up.
In the 61
st minute, Julia Crnjac scored the game's opening goal for the Mustangs and immediately put the pressure on the visiting Gaels.
However, in the 74
th minute
Sarah Nixon scored the game-tying goal off the assist from
Jenny Wolever. Nixon had just on goal this season in 16 games but came up huge in the OUA semifinal as it helped the Gaels force the game into overtime.
In the first overtime period, the Gaels struck first as an unlikely hero stepped up.
Kelsie McGinn scored in the 93
rd minute to give the Gaels a temporary lead. The defender scored just one goal in the regular season as well.
Four minutes later the Mustangs responded as Julia Crnjac connected for her second goal of the game.
Then in the second overtime period Anna Larkin scored in the opening minutes to give the Mustangs a 3-2 lead. The Gaels weren't able to overcome the difference with the little time remaining.
BY THE NUMBERS
7 – The Gaels put seven shots on net and outshot the Mustangs 9-8 in total.
4 –
Sarah Nixon played a huge role in Friday's game as she led the team with four shots
