The women’s soccer team started the 2011 season in familiar fashion in Ottawa on Wednesday, with a 4-0 win over the Carleton Ravens.

Striker Jackie Tessier scored two goals in the first 45 minutes to put women up 2-0 at half time. In the second half, Riley Filion and Kelli Chamberlain added one goal each. Veteran goalkeeper Chantal Marson recorded the shutout for the Gaels.

The defending national champions were 1-3 in the preseason, but they were back in championship form on Wednesday. Chamberlain, the women’s captain, said the team is using the memory of last year’s success as motivation for 2011. “We had it last year and we want it again,” the fifth-year player said. “We are going into every game thinking about last year and it’s pushing us [even] harder to get there.”

The women now look ahead to a tough fixture against the Ottawa Gee-Gees at Richardson Stadium on Saturday. The Gee-Gees beat the women twice last season.

Head coach Dave McDowell said the team expects a challenge.

The Gaels were ranked first overall in the CIS preseason rankings, while the Gee-Gees were ninth. They kick off at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Richardson Stadium.

“We know [Ottawa] will be a very talented team,” McDowell said.

“They are tough to break down and we’ll have to play quickly,” he said.

The women’s soccer team will play the Gee-Gees on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Richardson Stadium. For coverage, see Tuesday’s issue of the Journal.