Gee-Gees win CIS women’s soccer bronze

Striker Pilar Khoury of Ottawa scored the game-winner in the seventh minute of play as the Ottawa Gee-Gees blanked the McGill Martlets 2-0 to win the CIS women’s soccer championship bronze medal game at Percival Molson Stadium on Nov. 13.


It was the eighth medal in school history for the Gee-Gees, who have collected one gold, four silver and three bronze at the Nationals, posting a 15-12-4 record lifetime.

“It was a great (pass) by Julia Francki, right over the defensive line and I just got it on a breakaway and scored,” said Khoury, a health sciences freshman who was selected player of the game for her side. “We were a little bit demoralized yesterday after the semifinal loss against Queen’s but now it feels really good.”

The Gee-Gees pushed the 2011 OUA Champions, the Queen’s Golden Gaels, to the brink in their CIS Championship semi-final game, suffering a heartbreaking 1-0 loss after 120 minutes of hard fought play, and a painstaking shootout wherein Queen’s came out on top 3-2.

Gee-Gees rookie goalkeeper, Cynthia Leblanc (Granby, Qué.) was not only good, she was great with 14 saves. Leblanc made spectacular save after spectacular save in both regulation time and extra time to give her team a chance to win and advance to the gold medal game.
 
“Our goalie was terrific, and she’s been an outstanding first-year addition for us. She gave us a chance on penalty shots pulling off some terrific saves. Unfortunately we weren’t as good on the shot in the shootouts,” said head coach Steve Johnson.

First-year player Khoury and fourth-year defender Gillian Baggott (also of Ottawa) were named to the 2011 CIS Championship Team following the gold medal game on Sunday at McGill’s Percival Molson Stadium.
 
Khoury finished the tournament with two goals, including the bronze medal game winner, and a total of six shots on goal in three games for her first ever national tournament. The 18-year old striker displayed great speed and confidence on the ball throughout the tournament; simply exceeding all expectations from Johnson.
 
“Pilar’s performance was a pleasant surprise as she emerged as a CIS calibre player. Her performance on the field was well beyond her experience and maturity as a player,” he said.
 
As for Baggott, who was also named a CIS second-team All-Canadian on the first day of the tournament, she did exactly what was needed of her explains Johnson.
 
“We expect a very high standard from Gillian, and she delivered. She did exactly what we needed her to do, she had a very organized back line throughout the tournament, and I am really pleased with her performance.”
 
“Both players had a terrific tournament, and the recognition is well deserved,” added Johnson.