The women’s soccer team consolidated their lead in the OUA East division with a 3-2 away win over the second-place Ottawa Gee-Gees on Wednesday night. The Gaels improve to 9-0-1 while the Gee-Gees drop to 8-3-1.

Wednesday’s win over Ottawa was the second of the season for the Gaels, who beat the Gee-Gees 1-0 on Sept. 10.

“It’s a huge motivator for the team to be able to pull off two wins against Ottawa this season,” forward Jackie Tessier said.

The Gee-Gees beat the Gaels twice last season.

Tessier and Gee-Gees forward Elisabeth Wong scored two goals each in the first 20 minutes on Wednesday. The score remained 2-2 until rookie defender Jessie De Boer scored the Gaels’ game-winner in the 54th minute.

Tessier is in a three-way tie for top scorer in the OUA with eight goals. She led the CIS last season with 18 goals.

“I don’t think it’s that big a deal,” she said. “We’re expected to put the ball in the net.”

Head coach Dave McDowell said Tessier is on track to beat last season’s statistics.

“We’ve asked her to focus a little more on technique in front of the net and a little less on power,” he said. “She’s been doing that and been a little more successful.”

The team heads to Toronto this weekend for a rematch with the Toronto Varsity Blues — who tied the Gaels earlier this season to tarnish their undefeated schedule — and the 4-5-1 Ryerson Rams. McDowell said it will be important not to take any game for granted.

“We’re not really thinking about the playoffs,” McDowell said. “A lot can happen in the next three weeks.”