After a season of incredible action on the pitch, the women’s WolfPack soccer team will not appear in the playoffs.
The team’s hopes of advancing were dashed by the result of the ‘Pack’s Oct. 18 game against the Mount Royal Cougars, which saw the women come up short in a hard-fought 2-1 loss. Heading into the game, the ‘Pack needed three points to keep their playoff dreams alive. The first half of play saw the ‘Packs rookie star, Juli La Rotta, score the first goal (and her fourth of the season) eight minutes into the game with an assist from team captain Ainsley Grether.
But the team’s fury of offense could not hold back the Cougars. Despite the team’s goalie, Cassandra De Amaral, showing off her skills by making four powerful saves, Mount Royal persisted. With ten minutes left in the first half, Gabrielle Linford scored the game-tying goal.
But the nail was hammered into the proverbial coffin in the second half when a pass from Ruby Szautner found Taylor Young, who put the ball into the back of the net to secure the win for the Cougars, knocking the ‘Pack out of contention for the Canada West postseason playoffs.
With their playoff aspirations in the rear-view mirror, the women redirected their attention to their final game of the season. On Oct. 23, the ‘Pack travelled to Vancouver Island to face the UVIC Vikes on their home turf.
Although the ‘Pack played a tough game, the team was outmatched by the ferocity of the Vikes. After a first half that saw the Vikes take a late 1-0 lead, the women fought back hard in the second half but could not stop the home team from taking advantage, scoring three more times before the end of the game.
Sunday’s contest was also notable because it was the final game for several of the WolfPack’s most prominent players, including defender Raiya Rumo, midfielder Jessye Large, goalkeeper Cassandra De Amaral, and team captain Ainsley Grether, all of whom will graduate at the end of this semester. Midfielder Caylah Lemon will also be leaving the team, joining her peers as she graduates, but she could not attend the final game due to injury. Prior to the start of the teams Oct. 11 home game, all five women were honoured by their team and fans in attendance, receiving plaques and flowers to commemorate the occasion.
With their final game out of the way, the women’s soccer team ends the season with a 4-8-2 record.
