COQUITLAM, B.C. - The first bronze semi-final match saw the ACAC champion NAIT Ooks take on the hosting Douglas College Royals.

The match started out with chance after chance for both the Ooks and Royals, with the hosts nearly scoring just five minutes in, when a free kick was stopped by Toni Burse and the rebound effort was cleared off the line by Yuri Akatsu. Just before the 20-minute mark, a handball in the box gave the Royals a penalty opportunity, but Sam Kell's effort was robbed by Burse. The Ooks had several attempts at goal in the opening minutes, but a second yellow for Marissa Webb changed the NAIT gameplan. Happy to sit back, the Ooks fiercely defended a Royals onslaught for about three-quarters of the match, reaching the full-time whistle with a goalless draw and forcing the penalty shootout, where the numerical disadvantage would be nullified.

In the penalty shootout, Sam Kell was the first shooter and scored, while NAIT's first shooter Kayleigh Pepper was stopped by a sprawling Alexa Gazzola. Both Mikaela Montagano and Yumi Ishimura scored in the second round, before Sonali Dholliwar's effort was saved by Burse and Augustine Gallardo converted to level the score at 2. After Mikayla Hamilton scored for Douglas, Yuri Akatsu's penalty was put just wide, and Royals keeper Alexa Gazzola scored the final penalty to win the match and send the hosts to the bronze medal match.

"I thought we competed. We were down a player for the majority of the game. We were still able to create some chances, we got it into penalties and just got a little unlucky," said Ooks head coach, Carole Holt.

4imprint Player of the Game honours went to the two goalkeepers, Toni Burse of NAIT and Alexa Gazzola of Douglas College.

The Ooks will now face the VIU Mariners at 9:00 am AST in the 5th/6th place game/

Recap Courtesy of CCAA