(23/10/24) - North Bay, ON.  In a fight for victory, the Queen's Women's Soccer team went head-to-head with the Nipissing Lakers in the away-game quarter final match on the path for the OUA playoff finals.  The match was a strenuous battle for the entire 120 minutes as the Gaels fall 6-4 in over-time after the Lakers matched their lead 4-4 in the second half.  This final match for the Gaels marks off a successful season for the Gaels, finishing the regular season in the third seat of the OUA East with the record of 8-3-1.  

The match began quick to demonstrate the intensity and eagerness which would be seen on the field that evening.  In the opening minutes, the Lakers attempted a shot at Gaels goalie no.1 Kristin Tynan (Political and Health Studies, CIB), though she did not allow the Lakers to find their footing prematurely into the match.  Tynan saved a total of 3 shots on goal in the first half.  

13 minutes into game play, no. 14 Madinah Assaf (Economics) makes a play to no. 11 Mattson Strickler (Con-Ed Biology) who scores the Gaels their first goal of the match, taking the lead with 32 minutes left in the first.  This gives the Gaels a much needed momentum boost against the Lakers, as the match continued to be an intense scramble for any chance at net.  Unfortunately for the Gaels, the Lakers answered to their lead less than two minutes later, tying the match 1-1.  

Strickler did not allow the Lakers to maintain their edge on the scoreboard for long, as she scores a second goal for the Gaels at 18:05 to once again take the lead.  The Gaels held this lead well into the first half, though were once again met with another goal by the Lakers tying the match in the 29th minute.  The first half ends in a 2-2 tie going into the second half, where the Gaels looked to secure a lead the Lakers could not once again catch up to.

The constant battle for the lead was not the only frustrating aspect to the match, as the weather conditions were less than appealing for a quarter finals match with such closely set teams, as the wind, rain, and perpetually dropping temperature created a slippery turf and unsatisfactory ball movement.  Nevertheless, the Lakers and Gaels played an exciting first half of soccer as the competition heats up more with each goal scored. 

The second half sees a goal by no. 21 Morgan Fenton (Philosophy) less than a minute after kickoff which grants the Gaels a 3-2 lead.  Fenton, looking to set the tone for the second half for the Gaels, scores her second goal of the match only 7 minutes later, allowing the Gaels to take a 4-2 lead over the Lakers.  

The match did not end here, as there remained 39 minutes left in the second half.  With a yellow card given to Fenton, then only a few minutes later, another given to Lakers player no. 16 Jessica Emmerson, the match saw both teams anxious to dominate the pitch.  

Roughly halfway through the second half, the Lakers began to close the gap in the score on the Gael by scoring goals at the 67th and 73rd minute marks, tying the match once again 4-4.  The Gaels, with their lead being stolen for the third time, must play to defend the momentum they had gained earlier in the match while attempting to drain the Lakers stamina.  

After a few minutes of extra minutes added to regulation time, the game remains tied at the end of the second half, and the Gaels and Lakers move into two-15 minute half's of over-time play.    

The Gaels enter over-time with a total of nine shots on goal, looking to score on the Lakers net to secure their spot in the OUA semi-finals.  The Gaels unfortunately are unsuccessful with their four shot attempts at the Lakers goalkeeper.  With less and less gas in the tank, the Lakers score two more goals in over-time to make the lead 6-4.  In the end, the Lakers, who had proved to be a tough competitor for the Gaels a few weeks ago with a loss of 1-2, closed out the Gaels playoff season and will advance to the semi-finals.  

The Gaels Women's soccer team had an amazing season where anyone could see their passion and drive for the sport of soccer on and off the field.  Defeating seven of nine teams, the Gaels proved to be excellent contenders for a playoffs run, though met their match in the end.