HAMILTON, Ont. - The McMaster Marauders men's soccer team picked up a huge win at home on Wednesday night. With a 3-0 semi-final victory over the Nipissing Lakers, the Marauders have earned a spot in the OUA title game and will travel to Toronto to face the TMU Bold on Saturday night. The maroon and grey have also clinched a spot in the U SPORTS National Championship, hosted by the TRU Wolfpack, from November 10th to 13th in Kamloops, B.C.

With the season on the line, the Marauders stepped onto the field in need of a win. In some very foggy conditions, the game started slow with the majority of the first half played in the middle third of the field. McMaster had a couple of attacking opportunities but it was really the visitors who applied the offensive pressure early on. The Lakers outshot the hosts 7-4 in the opening 45 minutes of play but the game remained scoreless at the break. 

McMaster came into the second half firing and made no mistake, striking three times in just 25 minutes to steal the game. Miles Green (Toronto, Ont.) tallied twice, scoring his first and eventual game winner in the 60th minute, on a hard driven shot from the right wing. Sean Ross (Camlachie, Ont.) picked up the assist. Green added his second in the 72nd minute to extend the lead to two. Amir Shirazi (Oakville, Ont.) recorded the assist.

The Marauders sealed the win with a late goal from Ed Bryan Florent (Orleans, Ont.) in the 85th minute to ensure that both the conference and national championships would have some maroon and grey flair. Justin Baker (Hamilton, Ont.) added the helper.

McMaster totaled 15 shots on the night while Nipissing recorded 12 of its own. Green led the Marauders with eight shots, five of which were on target.

Ethan Cagalj (Stoney Creek, Ont.) was solid in net for the Marauders, making eight saves and picking up a clean sheet in the win.

Next Up 

The Marauders will now face the TMU Bold in the OUA title showdown on Saturday. Game time is set for 7pm in Toronto.