NORTH YORK, Ont. – The No. 12 ranked Durham College women's soccer team has advanced to the OCAA championship semifinal against the Fanshawe Falcons after defeating the Niagara Knights 2-1 on Thursday afternoon.
The Knights had an early chance in the fifth minute, but
Jenna King's (Ajax, Ont.) net wasn't troubled as the shot sailed over the bar.
MacKenzie Barry (Ajax, Ont.) had a good effort on goal early for the Lords, but her long-range shot was well saved by the Knights goalkeeper.
The Lords kept pressuring to break the draw – their next quality opportunity came when
Vanessa Juras (Ajax, Ont.) cut in on the left wing and had her shot tipped over the bar.
Durham took the lead on the ensuing corner when
Jacklyn Brzezinski (Brooklin, Ont.) headed home from Juras' corner to make it 1-0 in the 21st minute.
From there, Durham's defence held firm heading into the break as the Lords continued to lead by one at halftime.
It was a dream start to the second half for the Lords as Brzezinski scored her second of the match off a goalmouth scramble just 50 seconds into the half.
"It was amazing (scoring two goals), the feeling was surreal, but it was all because of my team," said Brzezinski. "It was a great game with a great team."
Madison Haigh (Bowmanville, Ont.) had a chance to make it three in the 52nd minute, but her low shot was turned aside by saved. Following that,
Cory Lapointe (Whitby, Ont.) nearly sealed it in the 76th minute when she unleashed a shot from 20 yards, but it smashed off the crossbar.
Niagara's Michelle Maecker pulled one back in the 82nd minute on a play similar to Brzezinski's first goal as she headed home from a corner – bringing the Knights within a goal. Little pressure was applied in the remaining minutes as the Lords held on for the one-goal victory.
Durham's win is their first at an OCAA championship since 2009 in Vaughan. This is also the Lords seventh straight victory, setting them up for a semifinal meeting with the Fanshawe Falcons at 4 p.m. on Friday.
"It's a huge deal (winning a game at a championship) and I'm just glad I'm part of it," said Brzezinski. "I think we have a bright future ahead of us."
Overall Record: 11-5-1 (W-L-D)
Conference Record: 9-2-1
Next match: Friday, Oct. 26 vs. Fanshawe Falcons (Championship Semifinal) • 4 p.m. - North York, Ont.)
