Western soccer player with her leg thrown back in a kicking motion about to kick the ball during a game — c/o Mustangs Sports

September 27, 2024

Tight races at the top make for exciting second half of the season

Burlington, Ont. (via AC Lang / wsoccer.ca) - Blink and you miss it.

Just four weeks into the OUA women’s soccer season, we’ve already passed the halfway mark. Most teams have played between six and eight games, and the action-packed month has provided soccer fans plenty to marvel at.

The usual powerhouses are strong contenders, yet the race for the top spot remains fiercely competitive. With the playoffs on the horizon and a metamorphic moment for women’s soccer coming in 2025, individual top performers are catching the attention of Northern Super League scouts.

Let’s take a look at the emerging storylines in both divisions.

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OUA West: Powerhouses and Rising Teams

The OUA West Division consistently delivers competitive, high-stakes action, and this season, five teams have risen above the rest. Western leads the way with 22 points and an impressive 7-0-1 record. Under new head coach Dhillon, the Mustangs have maintained their culture of excellence. One of the few undefeated teams nationwide, they’ve conceded only two goals so far. They shut out McMaster twice, last year’s runner-up, showcasing their depth and winning mentality. Defender Avarie Thomas stands out as one of the best two-way defenders in Canada, while goalkeeper St Croix has recorded 33 saves, a career-high for her in a single season.

Western’s remaining schedule will be a real test as they seek to build on last year’s U SPORTS bronze medal. Upcoming matchups include games against top-four teams like Laurier (twice) and long-time rivals Guelph on the final matchday.

Speaking of Guelph, the Gryphons are in top form, playing their best football in years. They’ve already surpassed last season’s goal tally and have conceded only four goals. Captain Rizakos, fully recovered from a major injury, continues to lead by example with 3 goals and 1 assist. Transfer Chase has also made her mark, with 2 goals and 3 assists in her last three games. Reigning West MVP Gomes continues to shine, and 4th-year striker Brown is on pace to break her best-ever goal tally, with 8 goals so far.

The only player with more goals in 2024 is York’s dynamic striker, Fleming-Thompson, whose name should be familiar to OUA followers. Her 11 goals in 8 games make her the league's top scorer. After a breakout rookie season in 2022 that earned her U SPORTS All-Rookie First Team honors, she’s proving her status as one of the top strikers in Canada. York’s resurgence is also bolstered by the return of Kalifornia Mitchell from injury and midfielders Desa (2 assists) and Windebank (3 goals, 3 assists), who complement York’s experienced, playoff-ready squad.

Behind the league leaders, McMaster and Laurier are both on pace for the playoffs, each sitting on 11 points. McMaster is facing a rebuilding year after graduating key midfielders in 2023. Their offence has struggled at times, with only 9 goals so far, but they’ve remained competitive thanks to standouts like Caldwell, who has scored 3 goals, and senior midfielder Abreo, who has 3 goals and 3 assists. McMaster’s upcoming back-to-back games against Guelph on October 4th and 6^th, respectively, will be crucial for their playoff chances.

Laurier, on the other hand, has two games in hand, which could be pivotal in the tight playoff race. However, they face a challenging schedule over the next two weeks. Strikers Marikano and Murphy have been instrumental in generating offence, consistently creating opportunities with over 7 shots per game combined. Laurier will need them to keep firing if they hope to secure their playoff spot.

Windsor and Brock are locked in a heated battle for the final playoff berth, with a crucial two-game series between them coming up in early October. Windsor has a game in hand, but also a more difficult remaining schedule, which could make or break their season. Their attack, led by Robertson (3 goals), Comartin (5 goals), and Corry (3 goals), will need to stay sharp as they push for the final spot.

Brock sits just one point behind Windsor and could gain ground when they take on Waterloo in back-to-back games this weekend. However, Waterloo has the chance to leapfrog Brock with a win and a tie, especially as they still have two games left against Algoma, who currently sits at the bottom of the table.

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OUA East: A Tight Race at the Top

In the OUA East, it’s a tight race at the top, with Nipissing and Ottawa tied with identical 6-1 records and 18 points apiece. Both teams are averaging an impressive 3.86 goals per game, but Nipissing has conceded 5 more goals than Ottawa, which could prove crucial in the race for the division title.

It’s exciting to see Nipissing challenge the historically dominant Ottawa Gee-Gees. The Lakers’ success comes from a core group of experienced players who have excellent chemistry on the field. Senior forward Cassidy Brooks (2x First Team All-Star) and defender Rylee Traicoff (3x First Team All-Star) have combined for 22 points. The Nolte sisters, Annika and Bella, are also proving their worth, each scoring 3 goals. Annika leads the league with 4 assists, showcasing her ability to create opportunities for teammates.

Meanwhile, Ottawa continues to thrive under the leadership of Steve Johnson, who has coached the program since its inception in 1993. The Gee-Gees have scored 26 goals in just 7 games and conceded only 3, making them one of the stingiest defences in the league. Cassandra Provost, last year’s OUA West MVP, has 7 goals and 5 assists, ranking second in the league in points. Her supporting cast includes Matsukubo and Dlamini, who have contributed multiple goals (2 and 3, respectively) and assists (3 each). Defender Maya Smith leads the backline that has only been breached three times this season and has scored three goals herself.

Chasing the top two are the Queen’s Gaels, who have recovered from a couple of early-season stumbles against Ottawa and Carleton. Veteran forwards Fenton and Strickler, along with rookie sensation Bjornson, have combined for 11 of the team’s 17 goals. In the midfield, Goss and Sakran have been key playmakers, while goalkeeper Kristin Tynan commands the best defence in the league, conceding only two goals.

Behind Queen’s, TMU and the Varsity Blues are both fighting for playoff positioning, with matching 4-2-1 records. TMU triumphed in the Toronto derby, defeating their city rivals 2-1 thanks to goals from Aalayah Lully and Taliyah Walker, both of whom have been standout performers. The Varsity Blues bounced back from that loss with a statement win over Ottawa, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory thanks to Hannah Harkin’s set-piece goal.

Carleton currently holds the final playoff spot, just two points behind Toronto’s teams. Lauren Illman and Ava Mills have been key to Carleton’s success, combining for 8 goals and 6 assists. They’ll look to carry their strong form into a crucial Ottawa derby on October 5th at Matt Anthony Field – a must-watch game on oua.tv.

While Trent and Ontario Tech remain mathematically in the hunt, both need to secure wins quickly. Ontario Tech holds a game in hand and will need to capitalize on their head-to-head matchups, starting with tonight’s critical game against the Excalibur.

As the season heats up and the playoff race tightens, every game becomes crucial. With top teams battling for supremacy and underdogs vying for a spot in the postseason, the final weeks promise plenty of drama and excitement in OUA women’s soccer.

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