CENTENNIAL 1, SHERIDAN 0

OAKVILLE, Ont. - The very nature of North American sports dictates that you must be able to prove yourself twice: once in the regular season and again in the often do-or-die playoffs.

So while the Sheridan Bruins women's soccer team (7-2 OCAA) had one of their greatest regular seasons in team history, a flat performance in their quarter-final against Centennial wiped out that record, putting them on the wrong side of a 1-0 scoreboard and on the outside looking in when the championship is decided.

"We waited until the last 25 minutes of the game to play the way we're capable of playing and in tight, hard-fought crossover playoff games, 25 minutes of soccer is not enough," head coach Paul Angelini said. "It's a 90 minute game and that's the truest it's ever going to be in a playoff game. For two-thirds of the game we were out-worked by Centennial and in the end, hard work wins."

Though the first half was a stalemate, both sides had reasonable opportunities to strike.

The best chance for the Double-Blue came on a free kick 25-yards from goal as Sarah Cuoto snuck the kick low and on the left side of the Centennial wall, but the keeper was able to come across to smother the attack.

On the opposite end, Lianne Slichter had to make two massive saves - one a  quick reaction where she was able to re-direct the ball away from danger and the other full out lunge to her right to push it aside.

Early in the second half Centennial would take a 1-0 lead from the penalty spot, after an initial shot attempt from the top of the area struck the arm of a Sheridan defender.

While it took a while for the urgency of the moment to strike the home side, eventually they began putting massive pressure on Centennial.

The Double-Blue had two quality chances late - the first a cross from the right side that Kaysia Williams was able to head towards target but over the bar, and the second after a quick corner saw the ball played into the area again where Kaitlyn MacLellan flicked it towards goal, but it was also just high.

While the end result was extremely disappointing for him, Angelini also understands that the team will have the chance for redemption during the winter indoor season.

"It's an opportunity to get the returning players accustomed to what it means to play a full year of soccer," he said. "And for the players who are graduating, it's one last shot at a medal of some colour."

Source: Sheridan I.T.