Thursday, November 16, 2023
by Thomas Lal

Seattle, Wash. – After battling Cal State LA all the way to a 0-0 draw through regulation and overtime, the Simon Fraser women’s soccer team fell 2-0 in penalty kicks to conclude their 2023 campaign at Interbay Stadium in Seattle.

The Red Leafs were every bit the Golden Eagles’ equal through the full 90 minutes and overtime, outshooting CSULA 21-13, but were just unable to find the back of the net. The shot advantage was evident in almost every period of play as Simon Fraser outshot Cal State LA in the second half and both halves of overtime, putting nine on goal in total. Sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Loewen kept SFU in the game until the very end, making four saves and stopping one shot in the shootout.

“I feel for our players today,” interim head coach Carlo Basso said following the match. “We fought really hard and controlled the play for large periods of the match, but unfortunately didn’t do enough to break the tie. It always feels worse losing in penalties, but we have to be really proud of what we have accomplished this year.”

Simon Fraser was the aggressor for much of the match while Cal State LA was content to let the Red Leafs dictate the pace of the play after controlling the ball in the first 10 minutes. Junior forward and reigning GNAC Newcomer of the Year Mikayla Tupper was all over the field for the Red Leafs, leading all players with six shots, including four on goal.

Including Loewen, six Simon Fraser players stayed on the pitch for the full 110 minutes including sisters Emily and Kate Smith on defense. They were joined by midfielders Noémie Ntumba Merlen, Kate Cartier and Alyssa Clark in playing every minute of the match.

Control of play was all Red Leafs in overtime where they outshot the Golden Eagles 6-1 but still couldn’t find anything to go, sending the match to a penalty shootout. Cartier was another big presence for SFU all game, finishing the match with four shots, including two one goal and nearly put the Red Leafs ahead with her shot in the penalty shootout rattling the top bar but ultimately bouncing out.

The Golden Eagles scored their first two attempts and, despite a Loewen save on their final attempt, that was enough to send Cal State LA onto the second round to face host Seattle Pacific on Saturday at 1 p.m. (PST).

Simon Fraser finishes the season 8-5-6 (5-5-4 GNAC) as a GNAC champion for the first time in program history.