The Brock Badgers women’s soccer team qualified for the playoffs as the sixth seed in the OUA West, after surviving the late York Lions comeback to draw 2-2 on Sunday afternoon in Toronto. Both teams came into the season finale neck-and-neck in the standings, vying for the final playoff spot.
Given the game’s importance, the match started pedestrianly as both teams were cautious with the ball, afraid to make any mistakes in the early going. After both teams got more involved in the game, Brock stepped on the gas pedal, showing promise with strong build-up play and quality possession in York’s half.
The Badgers’ high press and tenacity for the ball earned them a free kick in the 24th minute. Brianna Bishop, Brock’s set piece specialist, beautifully delivered the ball on target from approximately 25 yards out, which forced a diving save by Lions’ keeper Charlotte Phillips. The ball then bounced to an unmarked Makenna Williamson in the box who buried the game’s opening goal.
Brock quickly added to their lead eight minutes later from outside the 18-yard box. Cerrina Toromoreno casually crossed the ball on net which surprised Phillips, resulting in the ball trickling across the goal line putting the Badgers up 2-0, capping off a dominant first half for the visitors.
However, the second half was a different story.
York, needing three goals in the second half to beat Brock and leapfrog them in the standings for the final playoff spot, came out of the halftime break inspired in front of their home crowd.
Four minutes into the second half, York’s Maia Torelli scored her fourth goal of the season, rejuvenating confidence within her squad. The Lions’ resurgence in the second half led to seven shots on goal, many of which were high-quality scoring chances.
Brock senior keeper Emma Hendrie was forced to make numerous enormous saves in her final OUA regular season game to keep the Badgers’ playoff hopes alive. The Sault Ste Marie-native recorded five saves in the match, including a huge leaping save to her right to keep the Badgers in the lead.
However, in the 86th minute, Torelli scored her second of the game to tie it at two, setting up a nail-biting finish to the regular season.
The Lions pushed all outfield players forward in the dying seconds, with hopes of scoring their third unanswered goal and qualifying for the playoffs. But Hendrie and the Badgers had other ideas, spoiling the York comeback and securing a spot in Wednesday’s playoff game.
In the first round of the playoffs on Oct. 25th, the Badgers are headed to Guelph to take on the third seed in the OUA West. The Gryphons (8-2-2) won eight of 12 games this season including a 2-0 win over Brock at Alumni Field. The Badgers will be looking to avenge that loss and earn a spot in the OUA Quarterfinals on Oct. 28th.
Kickoff for the playoff game against Guelph is scheduled for 6 p.m at Gryphon Soccer Complex. For more information on the Brock Badgers women’s soccer team, click here.