The Laurier women’s soccer team embarked on an admirable playoff journey as the team advanced to the round of 16, where they faced the Windsor Lancers.
It was a night to remember, as Laurier secured a stunning 2-1 victory after being down 1-0 at halftime.
In the 55th minute, Jada Johnson emerged as a key figure for Laurier.
Scoring a crucial goal after receiving a cross from Claire Di Benedeto, Johnson was within Windsor’s 18-yard box.
Shortly after, Laurier captain Lila Nakano cleared the ball off the line.
The relentless battle between the two teams continued, with neither side able to find a breakthrough until the 83rd minute.
A foul in the Windsor box presented Laurier with a penalty kick. Sasha Marikano stepped up, calmly slotting the ball into the net.
Her goal was the turning point, leading Laurier to a thrilling 2-1 victory and securing their place in the quarter-finals.
Three days later, Laurier faced Western on the Mustangs’ home field in London.
Western, the reigning OUA champions, took the lead early as they found the back of the net in the seventh minute.
The Golden Hawks fought relentlessly in an attempt to regain control of the match, but struggled against Western’s ability to manage the ball.
In the second half, neither team was able to create a breakthrough scoring opportunity.
Despite their effort, the Golden Hawks were defeated 1-0, marking the end of their playoff journey.
The quarterfinal match was an achievement in itself as their last advancement to this stage was in 2017.