Hamilton, Ont. - The McMaster Marauders women's soccer team hosted the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Ridgebacks in the first round of the playoffs on Wednesday afternoon at Ron Joyce Stadium. The Marauders advanced to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win. 

It would take just three minutes for the home team to get on the board. Getting in UOIT's end early, a corner kick would result in a wide open chance for defender Kathleen Perri (Maple, Ont.). With a Marauder faking the pass and taking the Ridgeback defender with her, Perri's shot from 20 yards out would find the back of the net to give McMaster the go-ahead goal.

Minutes later, UOIT's first opportunity to score came from a big scramble near the net from a corner kick. The first shot would rebound to a Ridgeback, but the second would hit the cross bar. The ball would find a Marauder to clear it out.

Before the half was up, at around the 41st minute mark Emma Mangiarlardi (Oakville, Ont.) had a solid chance in the box but UOIT goalkeeper Melissa Linton (Cobourg, Ont.) would make a great save to keep the score at 1-0. 

Despite some early pressure from the Ridgebacks early in the second half, it would be McMaster to score again. Mangialardi would get taken down in the box, awarding the Marauders with a penalty kick. Captain Mel Van Der Hoop (Oakville, Ont.) would make no mistake, finding the top right corner for the 2-0 lead. This is her fourth goal this season in the 60th minute. 

Just five minutes later, Ridgeback Sarah D'Addetta (Etobicoke, Ont.) would receive the ball on the fall left side of the box. Her shot would unfortunately go off sweeper Cristina Leonardelli (Woodbridge, Ont.) and in on the miscommunication between her and McMaster goalkeeper Brittany Duffey (Unionville, Ont.). 

The play would turn sloppy as both teams were working hard to the end of the match. UOIT's only other chance would come from Jessica Mithrush (Thunder Bay, Ont.) from 30 yards out but the ball would soar over the cross bar. 

McMaster now moves on to the OUA Quarter-finals as they travel to London to take on the Western Mustangs who finished with the same record as the Marauders in the regular season. Game time is at 1pm at TD Waterhouse Stadium. 

Over the two games this season that the Marauders faced the Mustangs, they were defeated 2-0, but would then get revenge in the last game of the season, winning 1-0.