It may have been a long time coming, but the Nipissing Lakers women’s soccer team is advancing in the OUA post-season after a big win Wednesday night.
The Lakers dominated the visiting UOIT Ridgebacks in Round 1 of the playoffs, winning 4-0 and moving on to Sunday’s quarter-final.
Nipissing got goals from three different players and a great effort in net from goalkeeper Jess Moran, who turned aside all six shots she faced to record the shutout win.
Andrea Young opened up the scoring in the 24th minute when she redirected the ball to the back of the net before colliding with the goalkeeper.
The goal, which turned out to be the game-winner, was one of a tone of great set-ups and finishes from the Lakers.
Nipissing led by that goal at halftime, but poured it on in the second half.
Abby Wroe scored the first of her two tallies at the 51-minute mark, directing home a corner kick by Sarah Matesic.
Six minutes later, almost an identical goal made it 3-0 Lakers as Wroe scored again from Matesic on a picture-perfect play.
Five minutes after that, the Lakers capped off the scoring when Tori Bellar hammered home the team’s fourth goal.
Julia Previte drew the assist on the team’s final goal, as they ran out the clock to run away with the victory.
Moran was outstanding in net, making a number of key saves at key times to pick up the win.
Nipissing will now await their opponent for Sunday’s quarter-final.
It will be one of Ottawa or Queens and will be on the road.
Lakers men prevail
Meantime the Lakers men were successful as well as Ryan Roy's goal in the 33rd minute was enough as the Lakers Varsity men's soccer team edged the Queen's Gaels 1-0 in Kingston on Wednesday.
The win allows the Lakers men to move on to the quarterfinals.
