Gee-Gees open CIS women’s soccer tournament with 3-1 win over Capers

VICTORIA – The Ottawa Gee-Gees claimed the first victory of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport women’s soccer championship, defeating the Cape Breton Capers 3-1 on Thursday.

Kayla Jones, Krista Draycott and Vanessa MacMillan scored for the top-ranked and OUA champion Gee-Gees.

Jessica Furtado scored the lone goal for the Capers, who are out of medal contention.

“I thought we played really well today and credit to Cape Breton, who were very good on the counter attack,” said Ottawa coach Steve Johnson. “We got an early goal, which gave us a good chance to settle down throughout the rest of the game.”

Jones, a rookie striker, scored in the fourth minute, getting her head on a left-footed cross from Draycott.

Furtado tied the game eight minutes later, pouncing onto a rebound from a shot by Tara Rogers that hit the left post.

Ottawa regained the lead in the 26th minute when Draycott scored directly off a corner kick that curled into the net.

MacMillan, a rookie and second-half substitute, put the game out of reach with an 80th-minute goal, chesting down a cross from Chiara Quadri and firing a low and hard shot.

Ottawa advances to Friday’s semifinals, while the Capers will play in the consolation semifinal at Centennial Stadium on the University of Victoria campus.

“We knew going down a goal early to Ottawa was going to make it tough,” said Capers coach Ness Timmons. “Ottawa is a good team and I thought we did do a good job opening it up in the first half.”