Ooks down Cougars 1-0 in final

The NAIT Ooks, of Edmonton, Alberta continued their run of dominance finishing the season with a perfect 12-0 record on their way to capturing their first ACAC title since 2006-07.

The Ooks used a first-half goal by second-year Laura Kautz and played tight defense the rest of the way in capturing their fourth overall ACAC women’s soccer championship since 1992-93.

The games opening half was a war of attrition as both teams looked to gain the upper edge.

The Ooks would have the matches first quality opportunity at the 18 minute mark, as Nicola Weber fired a shot in tight that deflected off Cougars goalkeeper Ainsley Cardoso-Wagner’s hands and looked destined to roll into the back of the net. Cougars defender Monica Neilson seemingly appeared out of nowhere, clearing the ball just inches from the goal line and to safety.

The Ooks would continue to attack the Cougars back-end, as forwards Leanne Kadatz and Weber looked in-sync, causing headaches for the Cougars defense.

After a number of opportunities off corner kicks, the Ooks would finally get their break in the 24th minute.

Sending their first few corners of the game deep across the Cougars crease, the Ooks caught the Cougs’ off guard on a short set piece from the corner.

With the ball played into Laura Kautz the Cougars were left out of position, allowing Kautz time and space, as she ripped a left-footed shot from outside the 18 yard box, and into the top left corner, past Cardoso-Wagner who stood no chance on the opportunity to make it 1-0 Ooks.

The goal seemed to light a fire under the Cougars, who finally started to find their offensive rhythm after falling flat in the games early goings.

The Cougs’ best chance would come at the 38 minute mark, as Karlee Hodl out muscled a NAIT defender in a one-on-one situation, sensing the danger, Ooks goaltender Tara Evans came racing out, colliding with Hodl as the ball squirted free.

Hodl, was able to keep her balance and repositioned with a shot at a wide empty net, only to be denied by a NAIT defender who charged in at the last possible moment, making a potentially game saving stop off her right boot.

Playing with the wind in the second-half, the Cougars looked to use the elements to their advantage and seemed more cohesive in their offensive pieces.

Kelsey Kinzner would look to get the Cougars off the schneid in the 62nd minute with a hard shot in tight from the right side, but was denied by a steady Evans, who was solid in net for the Ooks throughout the entire match.

With time winding down, the Cougars looked to press on a number of occasions, but each time were met with a wall of NAIT defenders, who seemed content to let the clock wind down.

The Cougs’ would register no more quality opportunities and the final whistle would blow, leaving the Cougars without the last ACAC title they so greatly coveted.

Ooks head coach Sergio Teixeira talks about what went right.

“We just went with the game plan,” said Teixeira. “We put a lot of pressure on them early on, and scored in the beginning which was great, we probably could have finished one or two more, and in the second-half they really came out hard at us and I think we defended well. It just feels outstanding, just simply outstanding, I’m just so proud of the girls.”

For the Cougars it marks the end of an era and a last chance to claim an ACAC title before moving onto the Canada West in 2012-13.

“I’m sad, but it’s been a great five years at Mount Royal,” said graduating fifth-year Christina Gaspar.

“The soccer program has been so great, and I would recommend it to anyone who wanted to play high level soccer, get good coaching and experience a great group of girls.”

Cougars head coach Tino Fusco, said while he was disappointed with the result, he was pleased with the effort.

“I thought the game could have gone either way,” said Fusco. “Unfortunately things didn’t go our way, but I’m proud of the girls and I’m proud of the way we battled today.”

For the Ooks,it was their first title since 2006-07, when they also beat the Mount Royal Cougars 1-0 in the ACAC final, it’s also a taste of sweet redemption as the squad dropped a heartbreaking decision in last year’s final to the Concordia Thunder, losing 5-3 in penalty kicks.

With the win, the Ooks will be heading off to CCAA nationals in Quebec City at the Collège Francois-Xavier-Garneau November 9-12, 2011.

Congratulations to the Ooks, Cougars and the rest of the ACAC participants on a great season.