Banner Season: Blues Win First OUA Title in Program History
Toronto (via the Toronto Varsity Blues) - The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s soccer team made history with a 1-0 victory over the Guelph Gryphons in the OUA gold-medal match on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Varsity Stadium.
With the win, the Varsity Blues claim their first OUA title in program history, dating back to 1985, and earn the OUA’s top seed heading into the national championship next week. Toronto ends their three-game playoff campaign without conceding a goal.
“Unbelievable,” said Varsity Blues head coach Angelo Cavalluzzo. “The first 20 minutes were a bit cagey but after we got comfortable in the match, the performance was ten out of ten. We generated the better chances. I think it was a much-deserved win. I'm so happy for them!”
Fifth-year Blues defender and 2025 OUA East player of the year Hannah Chown earned player of the game honours following a brilliant defensive effort and scoring the lone goal of the match in the 70th minute. Second-year midfielder Emilja Lucic sent a booming corner kick to the front of the net and Chown was there to head it past Gryphons goalkeeper Sabrina Spano.
“The delivery was just perfect and I just had to be there,” said Chown. “Everything always comes back to the team. I think today everybody did so well and put their body on the line time and time again. Today it was me that finished but it could have been anyone on any given day. For me being a fifth-year, this is something I’ve dreamt of every year and for it to actually come to fruition is crazy. I can’t believe it. I’m still in shock.”
The Gryphons applied early pressure with a Cassidy Anderson header and an Elise Bell shot off an Olivia Rizakos corner. Toronto responded as Hannah Anderson earned a corner and Lucic drew a free kick, though Chown’s shot was stopped by Gryphons goalkeeper Sabrina Spano.
Late in the half, Guelph pressed again with Ella Cahill creating chances, but the Blues defence held firm. Lucic and Anne Yeomans had late looks for Toronto, both denied by Spano.
Early in the second half, Blues goalkeepers Maria Godoy-Atrash and Spano exchanged key saves to keep the match scoreless. After U of T went up 1-0, Yeomans had a chance to double the Blues lead in the 82nd minute, but Spano was there to keep the game within reach.
Godoy-Atrash made six saves in her third consecutive clean sheet performance, while Spano ended the match with six saves.
"They're a really strong team and they defended very well,” said the OUA West Coach of the Year Shayne Campbell. “You always have to credit your opponent and they played a great game. I think Sabrina showed today how important her role has been. She made some big saves that kept things close and provided us an opportunity to win."
Both the Blues and Gryphons will turn their sites on nationals next week as the McMaster Marauders host the 2025 U SPORTS Women’s Soccer Championship, November 6-9, at Ron Joyce Stadium in Hamilon. Seeding and scheduling will be announced tomorrow (Nov. 2).
