Women’s soccer locks in second place

The women’s soccer team (8-3-5) put a cap on their 2018-19 regular season over the weekend after tying Carleton 0-0 and losing to UOttawa 1-0. With the regular season officially complete, the Gaels are eyeing another deep playoff run—matching their 2016 OUA silver medal season and last year’s bronze. 

While expectations are high for Queen’s and its high-octane offence—which scored 34 goals over 16 games—the OUA East’s top six teams will make every playoff game a fight. Only five points separate them from the fifth position, held by their scheduled first-round opponent, Carleton.

Given the Gaels’ result this weekend, Carleton might prove a difficult postseason opponent. Both games the two teams have played against each other this season have ended in 0-0 ties.

Their first-round match will be held on Wednesday evening at Richardson Stadium.

Men’s soccer ends regular season fifth in OUA

The men’s soccer team (9-6-1) closed out their regular season in a 4-0 loss to the Carleton Ravens (13-1-1) on Saturday, securing fourth place in the OUA East. The Gaels entered the game as underdogs after Carleton led the league, recording just one loss this season.

With their fourth-place finish, the Gaels are focusing on the playoffs. Over the past two years, they’ve fallen to the Ryerson Rams in the first round. Queen’s won its last playoff game in 2015-16. They’ll be taking on the fifth-seeded Nipissing Lakers, who they beat earlier this season 1-0.

Improving on their 6-8-3 record from last season, Queen’s will have home-field advantage and a strong regular season to build off going into the first round, which will be played on Wednesday in Kingston.

Women’s hockey moves to 2-2 record on season

On Friday, the women’s hockey team watched the Western Mustangs raise their 2017-18 OUA Championship banner at the rematch of last year’s provincial finals game.

Western proved they’re still the OUA’s top team, decisively beating Queen’s 4-1. Despite forward Taylor Hicks’ goal, putting the Gaels up 1-0 in the middle of the second period, Western would retaliate with a goal of their own a minute later. The Mustangs opened the floodgates in the third, scoring three unanswered to finish off the Gaels.

On Saturday, Queen’s was able to snap their two-game losing streak against the Windsor Lancers, winning 4-1. The Gaels won through a second-period explosion, with all four of their goals coming in the frame. Stanford University transfer Caroline DeBruin powered the Gaels’ charge, scoring a goal and assisting on two others.

Queen’s will be back in Kingston next weekend when they take on the York Lions and Brock Badgers at home on Friday and Saturday.