SENECA ADVANCES TO OCAA GOLD MEDAL MATCH

ANCASTER, Ont. - The Seneca Sting are headed to the OCAA gold medal match after a nail-biting semifinal matchup Friday afternoon against the Humber Hawks.

The second semifinal of the day proved to be the best match of the tournament so far as both teams left everything on the field for a chance to face Fanshawe on Saturday for gold.

A chippy and gritty affair, it was obvious what was on the line Friday. Not only did the winner advance to the OCAA gold medal match, but also qualified for the CCAA national championship.

Like the first OCAA semifinal of the day, the match saw a goal within the first five minutes. Seneca's Sona Makulova found the back of the net early to put the Sting up 1-0. Not to be outdone, Humber replied right back as Emma Stushnoff equalized for the Hawks.

The score remained that way heading into halftime.

The second half was a wildly entertaining one as both teams fought for every inch. Makulova got her second of the match in the 49th minute to once again put the Sting ahead by one. This time, despite their best efforts, the Hawks were unable to reply, despite many chances down the stretch, as the game winded down.

Seven cards were handed out in the match as both teams played on the edge in order to advance to Saturday's final.

Both goalkeepers were outstanding in the semifinal and both were rewarded with player of the game awards. Humber's Vanessa Fiore and Seneca's Raven Edwards-Dowdall took home the honours.

Seneca now moves on to face the Fanshawe Falcons, winner of the first semifinal of the day, 5-1 against the Sheridan Bruins. The gold medal match kicks off at 3 p.m.

The bronze medal match will feature the Humber Hawks and the Sheridan Bruins. That match gets underway at 12 p.m.

Source: Redeemer Royals