The George Brown Huskies women's soccer team made history by winning the program's first crossover playoff match since they rejoined the OCAA in 2013 by taking down the Centennial Colts 2-1 on Saturday night (Oct. 16th) on the road.
"We've set this target since I was hired as the head coach. Right before the game, I called my two captains Brianna [Samuels-McLaughlin] and Kristina [Anderson], over, and we talked exactly about that. Let's find a way to make sure we win this one. So, it feels great," head coach Leslie Fitzpatrick explained. "I'm so happy for the girls and proud of them. It's been an insanely challenging year for us as a group, and for me, so this victory feels really good."
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Huskies were moving the ball very well in the first half, leading to the opening goal. Anderson had a tremendous run and made numerous moves before finding Makayla Cabral on the wing in the box. The second-year forward faded the shot to get around the defender and fired it over the goalkeeper in the 16th minute.
It did not take long for the Colts to respond, though. The team's leading goal scorer, Nailah Rowe, stole the ball from a Huskies defender to create a partial breakaway and made no mistake in the 25th minute. The score remained 1-1, heading into the half.
The Huskies kept the trend of dominating ball possessions in the second half. It led to 13 shots toward the net, but the score stayed in a 1-1 deadlock. Then, in what seemed to be a match destined for extra time, Elisabeth Virelli stole the ball from a defender just outside the Centennial's box and with four Colts around her, the second-year forward made a superb strike to hand the Huskies the lead in the 88th minute.
They held off Centennial to punch their ticket to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since rejoining the OCAA in 2013.
Coach Fitzpatrick knows there were many reasons for the historic victory.
"Firstly, health and availability. We haven't been able to field what could be our strongest lineup all year until today. Secondly, I'll say just having the complete buy-in of the group. From 1-18, they all have believed in what we as a staff have tried to impress upon them," he stated. "Finally, we were realistic in our expectations throughout our season, and the performance today reflected that."
UP NEXT: The Huskies hit the road again to battle the CCAA No. 11 Fanshawe Falcons (5-0-1) on Saturday afternoon. Fitzpatrick believes the team is ready for another challenge.
"Well, now we are playing with house money, as they say. No one expects us to go out there and beat a fantastic Fanshawe team. Their organization has always had tremendous quality," he explained. "So for us, we are just going out to have some fun, try to execute as best we can and let the chips fall where they may."
All the action begins at noon.
