Football (1-0 playoffs, 7-1 OUA)
Hosted Laurier (1-1 playoffs, 4-4 OUA) Saturday, November 6, 1:00 p.m. for the OUA Semi-Final game at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa.
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FINAL
Gee-Gees
14
2
7
9
32
Laurier
7
17
7
0
31
Today, two teams begun their quest for the Yates Cup and beyond at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa. The uOttawa Gee-Gees were hosting the Laurier Golden Hawks in the OUA Semi-Final game. Emotions ran high, the intensity was fierce, and the nerves were apparent as the Gee-Gees storied season was on the line for the first time this season.
The first quarter saw Laurier jump out to an early 7-0 lead as the Gee-Gees could not withstand some early pressure deep in their zone. Yet, with a little luck on their side, the Gee-Gees' ensuing drive would see Brad Sinopoli, Peterborough, Ont., connect with third-year receiver Alex Fortier-Labonte, Gatineau, Qué., even after the ball was tipped by a Laurier defender. The score remained tied at seven a piece.
Laurier would try to answer back until fifth-year defensive back Chayce Elliott, Burnaby, B.C., intercepted a Laurier pass to regain possession of the ball. Then on second down, Brad Sinopoli would find fifth-year receiver Matt Bolduc, Ottawa, Ont., way down field. This would then setup Sinopoli's second touchdown pass of the quarter as he connected with fifth-year receiver Cyril Adjeitey, Ghana, to go up 14-7.
In the second quarter, Laurier would comeback fairly quickly to tie the game 14-14. Then midway through the third, following an unnecessary roughing penalty against the Gee-Gees on Laurier's punter; the Golden Hawks would get the ball back deep in Gee-Gees territory and would go on to score a touchdown for a 21-14 lead.
The Gee-Gees woes would continue unfortunately. Later in the quarter off a Laurier punt, second-year defensive back Soonbum Cha, Burlington, Ont., misplayed the kick and the ball was subsequently recovered by the Golden Hawks. This would prove to be costly as Laurier would then manage to make a field goal and stretch their lead 24-14. However, the Gee-Gees would get back on the board as Laurier conceded a safety, putting the score at 24-16 Laurier lead. And with the Gee-Gees missing a field goal attempt, the score would remain as such through halftime.
The third quarter would remain fairly quiet until Chayce Elliott would make a 41 yard punt return to reignite his team. On the ensuing drive, Brad Sinopoli went long to find third-year receiver Ezra Millington, Newmarket, Ont., who pulled it down with a Laurier defender on him for an amazing 53 yard touchdown reception; Gee-Gees pull within one, the score now 24-23. Still Laurier would make a couple plays of their own to get in close enough for second-year quarterback Evan Pawliuk, Kingston, Ont., to rush in for a touchdown.
Now with the score at 31-23, the Gee-Gees would carry a first and goal into the fourth quarter. And they would make no mistake as Sinopoli would hand off to first-year running back Frank Ngandui, Laval, Que., and he would dive into the end zone for a touchdown. Unfortunately, the Gee-Gees would be denied however on the two point conversion attempt and so the score would remain 31-29 for Laurier.
It was now up to the Gee-Gees defense to hold strong. Feeding off a loud and rambunctious crowd, they would do just that, and create a turnover at Laurier's own 50 yard line. Still, the garnet and grey would be unable to capitalize. And so again the Gee-Gees defense would be called upon to keep Laurier from stretching their lead as fifth-year defensive back Lee Shaver, Ottawa, Ont., and fellow third-year defensive back Chris Daly, Burlington, Ont., would make a valiant effort to stop what looked like an almost sure Laurier touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter.
The Gee-Gees would finally take the lead as third year Aaron Colbon, Orleans, Ont., would need some good hands to make up for a bad snap and place the ball in time for third-year kicker Matthew Falvo, Welland, Ont., to kick the go ahead field goal at 2:59 in the fourth quarter. The Gee-Gees now lead 32-31.
This game would go down to the wire as Sinopoli would throw an untimely interception to give Laurier some life in the final minute. But credit to the Gee-Gees defense who, with the crowd behind them, were able to finish strong and secure the one point victory. And with that, the Gee-Gees advance to next week's Yates Cup game to be played here in Ottawa at Frank Clair Stadium.
Head coach Jean-Philippe Asselin was more than pleased to get the win, and credited his players being able to keep their cool under pressure: "I think we showed we were resilient all year. Whether we did it before or not doesn't change anything; we will fight every minute and we showed that again today."
With defense being a big story in this game, assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Sean Hall knew his boys were capable of being the difference: "We've preached it all year that you got to just keep believing and keep doing what you do and when the time comes we just want to be in a position to win games. We've talked about that from day one, and today we were in that situation and the guys pulled through. Kudos to our team; our guys never quit, they never stop believing and just keep playing."
When asked about the game winning field goal and a low snap, Colbon and Falvo were thankful they were able to execute in that pressure situation: "These are the best parts about kicking; coming through for your team in a big moment. I knew we had to get those points, and it was a great job by Aaron (Colbon) to put it down," said Falvo.
The Gee-Gees can now shift their focus to the 103rd Yates Cup to be held next weekend at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa. The garnet and grey will await the results of Western and McMaster who are playing in their OUA Semi-Final game today as well.
