Women’s Soccer
WSOC – Consolation #1: Ottawa sends STFX home with consolation semifinal victory
KINGSTON, Ont. (Nov. 10, 2023) – The Western Mustangs defeated their OUA rivals, the Queen’s Gaels, 5-2 in their Consolation Semifinal match Friday afternoon in the 2023 U SPORTS Women’s Soccer Championship at Richardson Stadium in Kingston, Ont.
The Mustangs opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Gabby Kohut snuck past the Gaels keep and found the back of the net. Kohut would double Western’s lead just six minutes later, securing a strong cross from Maya Lankin before firing a shot into the top corner.
Reese Fowler made it 3-0 Mustangs in the 28th minute, after a corner kick was deflected into the back of the net.
Leda Naihin got one back for the Gaels late in the first half, firing a great shot from the far right side of the field into the net, and Western held a two-goal lead at half time.
Both teams traded chances early in the second half, punctuated by two highlight-reel saves by Western goalkeeper Samantha St. Croix.
Natalie Abbate scored for the Mustangs with a nifty move past a Queen’s defender before finding the back of the net in the 74th minute. Queen’s would respond in the 79th minute on a goal by Morgan Fenton, but that is as close as they would get. Abbate would restore Western’s three-goal lead in the 90th minute with a terrific free kick from right outside the box.
With the win, Western advanced to the Consolation Final Saturday at 4 pm Eastern, and will take on the Ottawa Gee-Gees, who defeated the StFX X-Women 2-0 earlier on Friday.
Nike Team players of the game:
- Western: Gabby Kohut
• Queen’s: Leda Naihin