The Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks women’s soccer team concluded their 2024 season following a close overtime defeat to the McMaster University Marauders in the opening round of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoffs on Oct. 18. The loss not only ended the team’s playoff hopes, but also marked the final chapter for several senior players who played their last game in purple and gold.
The team’s season was preceded by Seniors Day on Oct. 9, a home fixture against the University of Windsor Lancers dedicated to celebrating Laurier’s veteran players. Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the event, Laurier suffered a 2-0 loss, struggling to generate offensive chances against a defensively sound Windsor.
Leading the team was forward Jyanessa Sealy, a fourth-year biology major and the 2023-24 most valuable player, who had an impressive season with 11 of her 19 shots on target (57.9 per cent).
“They’re a hard-working team, I would say. Especially being a local, I played with them throughout my youth. So coming into university, I kind of expected to know what they bring to the table, which is hard work, aggressiveness and resilience,” said Sealy. “They have that drive to continue to play on, regardless of the score or how well or poor they’re playing.”
Laurier had struggled to keep up after a swift opening goal by Windsor’s Kailyn Robertson. Just two minutes into play, Robertson fired a long range shot from 22 yards that slipped past Laurier’s defense and goalkeeper, rattling the Hawks early on.“For me, it was our poorest performance of the year. I don’t think everybody was ready to play the game. Realistically, we could’ve been down three at half time,” said women’s soccer head coach Barry MacLean. “Second half, we faded and we never really looked like we were going to score a goal today.”
Laurier’s attempts to counter were ultimately fruitless, and another goal in the second half sealed their fate.
“One hundred per cent is a mental thing,” said Sealy. “I think our team has a lot of character and it kind of died off, especially after that first goal caught the team by surprise, it was remarkable.”
The team bounced back on Oct. 12, managing a 1-1 draw in a high-stakes rematch with Windsor. The result, although modest, granted Laurier the crucial one-point edge over the University of Waterloo Warriors, clinching them a playoff berth.
“I just think, mentally, we got to be more at the races. We are a very young team, so we have growing pains about how to play each and every game,” said MacLean, reflecting on the final stretch.
In retrospect, Laurier’s 2024 record (3-6-4) paled in comparison to their 8-5-3 finish the previous year, which propelled them to the OUA quarterfinals, compared to this season’s first round exit.
However, the journey carried moments of growth, especially for the seniors.
“I would say it definitely had its rocky waves, but that’s what being a Golden Hawk is,” Sealy said. “Taking those major downfalls and seeing rises… we are a phenomenal team with heart, passion and talent.”
Other seniors leaving their mark this season include Sasha Marikano, a psychology major with two goals and one assist in her nine games; Samantha Murphy, an education major who netted seven goals and one assist across 13 games with a 66.7 per cent shooting accuracy; and goalkeeper Bronya Obelnicki, a fifth-year psychology student who stood as a mainstay in net.
“It’s quite sad, but it’s honestly great to be a part of the turnover, and to leave a mark for such a wonderful group of girls and staff,” said Sealy, reflecting on the seniors passing the torch to the new generation of Golden Hawk players.
The season may have ended, but the resilient legacy of Laurier’s seniors and their passion for the game remain a testament to the spirit of the Golden Hawks.
