In a dramatic OUA quarter-final on Saturday night, striker Nia Fleming-Thompson scored with just seconds remaining in extra time to give the York University Lions women's soccer team a 2–1 win over the Brock Badgers, sending them to the OUA semi-finals against the Ottawa Gee-Gees next Saturday in the nation's capital.
The game opened with steady defensive play from both teams. Brock's Lexie Foster tested Lions keeper Charlotte Phillips with a dangerous shot in the 29th minute, but York's keeper turned it aside to keep the game level. York established a territorial advantage midway through the opening half, breaking through in the 33rd minute when Fleming-Thompson scored the first goal of the match to put the Lions on the board and give them the lead, one they would hold at the break.
Tension grew on the pitch in the second half, as the officials sent out multiple yellow cards. Brock's Avery Cafaro and Jenna Parris were cautioned alongside York's Joanna Abdelmalak as both teams fought for possession. Brock was able to secure an equalizer in the 86th minute when Isabella Proud beat Phillips to level the match 1-1 and force extra time.
Both teams battled through two intense 15-minute extra time periods. York pressured the Badgers with quality attempts from Tang, Abdelmalak and Sabrina Fabiano. In the 112th minute, York's backline preserved the tie by turning away a header from Brock's Foster with a firm defensive line save.
With assumptions made that the match was going to end in penalty kicks, York struck on the final play of the match. Amelia Joseph delivered a precise assist, and Fleming-Thompson rose to bury the dramatic match-winning goal. Despite receiving a yellow card prior to the final whistle, Fleming-Thompson sealed the 2-1 playoff victory with her second goal of the match.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions will travel to Ottawa to face the Gee-Gees next Saturday in one of two OUA semi-finals. Stay tuned to yorkulions.ca for updates.
