LONDON, Ont. – The McMaster Marauders women's soccer team fell 2-0 to the Western Mustangs in an OUA bronze medal match on Saturday night, closing out the program's best season in five years.
 
After last playing each other in the regular season finale, the Marauders and Mustangs matched-up for the second time in 2023, this time with everything on the line. The winner would earn the right to compete at the 2023 U SPORTS Women's Soccer Championship while the other team's season would end.
 
With home field advantage, the Mustangs controlled the tempo in the early going and recorded four corner kicks in the opening 15 minutes of play. In the 27^th minute of play, Western made a run down the wing and found the back of the Marauder net to go up 1-0. McMaster had some offensive pressure just minutes before the halftime whistle but couldn't get on the scoreboard, trailing the hosts by one at the break.
 
A re-energized Marauder squad hit the field in the second half, dominating the offensive possession. McMaster recorded five shots in the early going of the final frame, but none was closer than Gerogia Merriman's strike to the back post that trickled just wide of the goal after a touch by the Western goalkeeper. Despite the chances for the visitors, Western capitalized on a quick break, doubling the lead in the 74^th minute of play. The Marauders had some opportunities late but were unable to break the deadlock. It was the host Mustangs who took the game by a 2-0 final.
 
McMaster outshot Western 11-5 with seven of those shots requiring a save. Jade Abreo led all Marauders with three shots while Ravina Braich and Georgia Merriman combined for an added four. Ali Mudie recorded one save in the contest.
 
The Western Mustangs advance to the 2023 U SPORTS Championship hosted by the Queen's Gaels this week while the McMaster Marauders will reflect on one of their best seasons in recent history.