BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
The Laurentian University women's soccer
team was defeated 3-1 by the University of Western Ontario
Mustangs 3-1 on Saturday, eliminating them from a possible
berth into the national championship.
In their first-ever Ontario University
Athletics (OUA) Final Four match, the Lady Vees played a
spirited game.
After the first half, the two teams were
scoreless.
In the second half, though, the Mustangs
poured on the pressure, scoring two early goals.
But the Lady Vees didn't go
quietly.
Jolene Fournier scored for the Lady Vees to
bring them to within one, but with about seven minutes
remaining, the Mustangs iced the victory with another
goal.
Â"The girls are still upbeat,Â" said head
coach Rob Gallo in a press release. Â"They know they battled
one of the top teams in the country and gave them all they
could handle.Â"
The Lady Vees then played the University of
Toronto on Sunday for the OUA bronze medal, and lost 4-1.
Laurentian's lone goal came off the foot
of rookie Erin Wilkes.
Â"Even though we lost these games, it was a
great experience to make the final four, for both the players
and coaching staff,Â" said Gallo in a press release. Â"It was a
grand learning experience on what it takes to become one of the
premier teams in the league. We're extremely proud of the
girls for the hard work they put in this season.Â"
The Toronto game also marked the last time
Lady Vees' players Fournier, Kristy MacKenzie and Jen
Carbone will suit up for Laurentian.
They all graduate at the end of the 2004-05
school year.
MacKenzie and Carbone both hail from
Sudbury.