Cambrian kick off loss for bronze

 

By Garrett Fodor

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association women’s soccer championship wrapped up Oct. 29 with teams from across the province competing in Amherstburg.

Saturday afternoon the Seneca Sting and Cambrian Golden Shields were in action, playing for the OCAA bronze medal at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg. Both teams entered Saturday’s game coming off grueling extra time and penalty kick losses Friday. While Cambrian lost to the eventual back-to-back champion Algonquin Thunder in extra time, the Sting lost to Humber in penalty kicks.

Seneca and Cambrian both came out strong and had a very passive style of play in the first half. It was reflected on the scoreboard until the 40 minute mark. OCAA championship all-star Clarissa McArthur scored for the Golden Shields to give them the lead at halftime.

In the second half, Cambrian changed their style of play in order to defend their lead from the Sting. As a result the Golden Shields controlled the ball and were quick to send it deep and away from their goal.

The Sting were unable to beat the Golden Shields backline as they fell 1-0, earning Cambrian the bronze medal. This is Cambrian’s second OCAA medal ever having also won a bronze in 2014.

Golden Shields head coach Giuseppe Politi said he was pleased with how both teams performed.

“We’re delighted with the win,” said Politi. “Both teams were coming off very disappointing semi-final losses. I saw a lot of girls on both teams physically and psychologically drained.Credit to Seneca for a good fight. Fortunately we’re lucky enough to come out on top with the victory, I thought we deserved at least a bronze at this tournament.”

Alexandra Ross, a member of the Golden Shields for three years and OCAA championship all-star said she and the team are happy to head home with a medal around their neck.

“I think our team deserved a bronze medal. I also felt we deserved a gold or a silver but we’re happy with the results here that happened today,” said Ross. “After Friday, we were obviously a little shook, we battle Algonquin all year and we finally beat them in the game and then in the last few seconds they score, it’s really devastating.”

Algonquin would go on to defend their OCAA gold medal from last year defeating Humber 3-1.