Women’s soccer keeps a clean sheet against RMC

The rain came down on Sunday at Richardson Stadium, but that didn’t stop the Gaels as they demolished the RMC Paladins 10-0. 

 

It was a showdown against two home teams, but because of the horrible weather, the stadium didn’t reflect that. However, Queen’s didn’t let the almost empty bleachers get them down as they prepared to mimic the victory they earned in 202—the last time they played RMC.

 

Minutes in, Queen’s took control. Cecilia Way dominated in the Paladins end and, minutes after the first whistle, sent a beautiful cross that Mattie Strikler put it in the back of the net. 

 

From there they were off; the Gaels could not be touched. Mere seconds after her assist, Way landed a goal of her own to put Queen’s up 2-0 barely two minutes into the game. 

 

They were clearly dominating and kept the ball in the Paladins end—the ball might not have even known Queen’s net existed. 

 

Around the 12-minute mark Raya Athwal joined the action with a goal of her own. She’s getting really good at finding the back of the net.

 

Queen’s kept the shots up and shared the ball amongst themselves as they refused to pull back the pressure. RMC responded well as their goalie, Breanna Habinski, made some memorable saves—OUA Plays of the Week recognized one where she denied Way. 

 

Jenna Matsukubo earned her first goal of the season after getting fouled inside the box and putting up a killer penalty kick. 

 

Almost as numerous as their shots, however, were the offsides called against them. Queen’s struggled to pull off a clean attack as the offside calls negated several chances.

 

However, Seema Sakran wasn’t shaken by the offside calls as she and Way put on a show at the end of the first half. Sakran scored a point and, three minutes later, Way put up one of her own. They teamed up for two more goals before the 45-minute mark, with Way assisting both. 

 

Sakran’s display at Richardson earned her the title of Queen’s Athlete of the Week.

 

It was brutal for the Paladins and the start of a new half didn’t offer much hope. Queen’s continued to activate their back line as they kept up the pressure. RMC could not escape as Alicia Sutcliffe and Izzy Pineda added two more goals. 

 

Finally, a corner kick in the 81st minute gave the Paladinsan opportunity inside the Gaels box,but they didn’t score. 

 

The game ended with a 10-0 victory for Queen’s as the Gaels were victorious in the battle between two hometown teams. 

 

Women’s Soccer will play next on Sept. 24 at Laurentian, the first of three away games in a row.