The Algonquin Thunder trip to the OCAA women’s soccer championship kicked off with a narrow victory over the Sheridan Bruins on Oct. 29.
The team won 1-0, but it was too close for comfort for the Thunder in Game 1 in Peterborough, where the provincials were being hosted.
The lone goal came three minutes into the game’s second half. Midfielder Haleigh Robertson launched the ball in front of the Bruins net on a corner kick, where Kandyce Whitehead put it home.
“It wasn’t the prettiest goal when it comes down to it,” said fourth-year forward Whitehead.
“But it would do in these types of games.”
Despite the scoreboard reflecting a 1-0 victory, it could have been a more comfortable cushion despite a second goal being prevented by a referee’s call.
On the play, Whitehead was going for the ball and the Sheridan goalkeeper fell after being hit in the face.
Michelle Wilson, a defensive rookie, tapped the ball in after the call. It would have been her first goal in the postseason and her first career goal as a member of the Thunder.
“I’m not upset about it because we won,” Wilson said of the called-back goal. “It would have taken a lot of pressure off our backs having a 2-0 lead.”
With only a one-goal lead with five seconds left on the clock, the called-off goal could have truly come back to bite the Thunder. Fourth-year defensive player Jenna Baldree was given a yellow card with mere seconds on the clock.
The Bruins took their kick and their chance to send the game into overtime.
Thankfully for the Thunder, starting goalkeeper Karleigh Bell was able to make the save to secure the victory. For a few players on the team, like rookie Becky Leese, the tournament experience was brand new.
“I was nervous the whole time,” said Leese. “I guess that’s why I didn’t have the best game. But I’m so happy for my team and that we scored and pulled off the win.”
While nerves seemed to have gotten the better of the Thunder in the first half, head coach Dominic Oliveri helped them locate their composure for the last 45 minutes.
“We felt we didn’t play to our game the first half,” said head coach Dominic Oliveri. “We looked a little panicky and stressed out and I just told them to relax and enjoy the moment and play the way we play.”