Box Score  
Ridgebacks take season opener 3-2 over Ottawa

OUA Women's Soccer: UOIT defeated Ottawa 3-2
Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8EWmz0xFvo&feature=youtu.be
 
OSHAWA, Ont. – The UOIT Ridgebacks women's soccer team got their season off to a great start as they defeated the Ottawa Gee-Gees 3-2 at Vaso's Field on Saturday afternoon.

There was a lot of action in the first half as the teams combined for four goals. Fortunately for UOIT, they were on the right side of the scoreboard as they held a 3-1 lead after 45 minutes.
 
Freshman Jordan Thornton (Ajax, Ont.) scored in the 9^th minute to put the Ridgebacks on the board. Her first career goal was one for the highlight reel as she sailed in a shot from almost 40 yards out. Shortly after, the Ridgebacks had another great chance as Jessica Mithrush (Thunder Bay, Ont.) took a free kick at the top of the box but the Gee-Gees' wall deflected it.
 
The Ridgebacks expanded their lead to 2-0 when Rachel Matthews (Ajax, Ont.) scored from the left side, also recording her first career goal. However, the Gee-Gees responded when Pilar Khoury (Ottawa, Ont.) netted one in the 39^th minute of the first half.
 
Minutes later, Mithrush played a beautiful through ball to Kayla De Souza (Scarborough, Ont.) who made no mistake slipping one past the Gee-Gees keeper Cynthia Leblanc (Granby, Que.) to take the Ridgebacks into the second half with a two-goal lead.
 
The Ridgebacks fought hard to maintain their lead throughout the second half. Nicole Zajac (Mississauga, Ont.) almost made it 4-1 in the 79^th minute but it went wide. Shynice Williams (Mississauga, Ont.) continued to press the Gee-Gees in the dying minutes of regular time but her attempt was just shy of the net.
 
In extra time, Ottawa defender Chiara Quadri (White Rock, B.C.) scored on a penalty kick, but the head official immediately blew his whistle to give UOIT three points.

UOIT's back four stayed strong throughout the second half by not letting Ottawa score until the penalty kick in injury time of the second half. With Ottawa pressing late in the game, De Souza did a great job heading out a number of crosses in the box.
 
UOIT goalkeeper Melissa Linton (Cobourg, Ont.) made many key saves to keep the Gee-Gees from coming back. In total, she made eight stops for her first win of the season.
 
UOIT will be back on the field on Sunday when they take on the Carleton Ravens. Game time is 1 p.m.
 
A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 4-1-0
Conference Record: 1-0-0
 
Next Game: Sun. Aug. 31 vs. Carleton (1 p.m.)