Bringin' Home the Hardware

By Davie Wong

After taking home the silver medal from the PACWEST Provincial Championships, the women's soccer team prepared for the journey they had all be working towards for much of the season, the CCAA National Championships. With a wildcard seed in their pocket, everyone knew that the biggest fight had just begun.

               Entering the tournament as the seventh seed, the women were handed the NAIT Ooks as their first challenge. The Ooks were returning back to back silver medalist and came into the Championships seeded third. For the returning Royals, the Ooks represented a bitter reminder of the silver medal that could have been theirs, had the Ooks not defeated them in injury time last year.

               With revenge on their minds, the Royals came out with a frightening pace that surprised the Ooks. CCAA All-Canadian and PACWEST All-Star Mikayla Hamilton opened up the scoring for the Royals in the 13^th minute with a pretty blast that left NAIT's keeper reeling. Sonali Dholliwar doubled the team's lead in the 63^rd minute, capitalizing on a corner kick from CCAA All-Canadian and PACWEST Player of the Year Andrea Perrotta.

               It was touch and go for the Royals in the 73^rd minute when the CCAA's Women's Soccer Player of the Year Kassy Kajczay netted a goal for the Ooks. But the Royals held on strong, and finished the game in the lead. Andrea Perrotta was named Player of the Game for her playmaking efforts.

               Next up for the Royals was the host of the tournament, Indiennes d'Ahuntsic. Last year, it was bronze on the line when these two teams clashed. This time, it was the chance to play for gold on the line.

               The two teams could not be more evenly matched. Smooth attacking motions by the Ahustic were countered with quick breaks and solo opportunities by the Royals. All the while, neither goalie refused to give an edge. Alexa Gazzola made multiple stunning saves to keep the Royals in the game, but in the end, an 84^th minute volley by Amina Koroghli's  off a rebound from a teammate became the only shot to beat Gazzola. The one was enough for the RSEQ side to claim their victory, and move themselves to the Gold-medal game. .

               Disheartened from the loss, but not defeated, the Royals came back into the next game with their hearts set on finishing third. In their way was the GPRC Wolves. Things didn't start too well for the Royals, as they went down a goal in the 28^th minute.

               But after an eye-opening halftime speech, the women came back out with a fiery passion and will to win. Mikayla Hamilton netted the game equalizer right out of the gates, and in the 84^th minute, Samantha Kell put away the game winner on a free kick. Sonali Dholliwar was named the Player of the Game for the Royals due to her incredible work up and down the pitch.

               With that win down, all that was left for the women was the bronze medal match. Waiting for them was a familiar team in the NAIT Ooks. However, the winner of this match would be bringing home some hardware for their trophy cabinets.

               Mikayla Hamilton got things started for the Royals once again. She put away her third of the tournament at the 27^th minute with a fantastic little chip off a wonderful pass by Andrea Perrotta. However, the Ooks wouldn't go down without a fight. Kaily Mohn put away the game equalizer in the 55^th minute of the game. The rest of regulation solved nothing so the teams went into extra time.

               Close chances from both teams made sure everyone was on their toes, but at the end of the extra 30, the score was still 1-1. Then came the penalties.

The Ooks shot first, with Kassy Kajczay stepping up to take the shot. She was denied by Alexa Gazzola.  Samantha Kell was the first Royal to shoot in the shootout, but her shot went up and over. Megan Loyns was next up for the Ooks, but was absolutely denied by the Gazzola. Madison Hendry stepped up for the Royals and put away their first goal of the shootout to put them up by one. The Ooks sent another shooter out to try to level out the score, but she too was met by the gloves of Alexa Gazzola.

With a chance to go two goals ahead, the Royals sent out Andrea Perrotta to really put the pressure on the Ooks. She succeeded in doing so, and the Royals went two goals ahead of the Ooks. With a must-score situation on her hands, Sidney Doblanko of the NAIT Ooks became the first of her team to beat Gazzola in the shootout.

               However, the Royals had a chance to win it all. Sonali Dholliwar was given the nod as the Royals fourth penalty shooter, and she slotted home the game winner for the Royals. With her goal, the Royals claimed their bronze medals. Alexa Gazzola was named the Player of the Game for her work in net, and was further awarded, alongside her teammate Sonali Dholliwar, as Tournament All-Stars.

               The bronze medal win is the first of its kind for the women's soccer program. It is also the first medal the program has ever won. Keeping in mind that this is the team's second National Championship appearance ever, the group has outperformed everyone's expectations by leaving their mark on the National stage. Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and staff on their victory!