After keeping their playoff hopes alive with a midweek win over Southwestern, the Braves head into perhaps the most important match of the season on Saturday, traveling to York University. Kickoff for the match is set for 1 p.m.

The Matchup

As a recent addition to the KCAC, the overall series between Ottawa and York is a relatively small sample size at 12 matches. That being said, the Braves have controlled the series, recording six wins to just two losses. The series is bookended by draws, as the first meeting between Ottawa and York (as a non-conference battle in 2007) ended 0-0, while the last three matches in the series have finished deadlocked 1-1. All six of Ottawa's win in the series have come by shutout, with the Braves only being held scoreless in the series debut.

Last Time Out

Needing a win to keep its playoff hopes alive, Ottawa found goals from Laura Quijada and Ella Stillings to pick up a small 2-0 upset over Southwestern College. Quijada struck for Ottawa just before the half-hour mark in the first half, with Stillings making her first collegiate goal a memorable one as she curled a free kick into the top corner of the net from 30-plus yards out.

Makena Tapia had four saves in the match, but her most important contribution of the day came from her involvement in Ottawa's first goal, with her distribution finding the foot of Cennet Donahue to create Quijada's opportunity.

About York University

After struggling through the opening part of the season, York has found its stride in recent weeks, coming into Saturday's match on a five-match unbeaten streak. The Panthers have picked up three shutout wins in the stretch - 4-0 wins over Sterling and Bethany and a 1-0 win over University of Saint Mary - before drawing 1-1 against McPherson on Wednesday.

Offensively, the Panthers have seen the majority of production from freshman Jenna Tutt (5 g, 2 a) and senior Samantha Bayer (4 g, 1 a), with nine other players each contributing a single goal. York's 19 goals are rounded out by an own goal during the team's 3-0 win over Midland.

Harumi Cornejo has seen the bulk of recent action in goal for York, bringing a goals-against average of 0.49 into Saturday's contest spread across 547:28 with a save percentage of .824 for the Panthers. Also seeing time in net for York has been Addison Stewart, who has started in all eight of her appearances, collecting a goals-against of 1.39 across 712:32 and a save percentage of .814.

Looking At The Playoff Picture

Wednesday's action settled much of the playoff concerns, with five teams (Oklahoma Wesleyan, Friends, McPherson, Avila and Kansas Wesleyan) now guaranteed a spot in the KCAC postseason tournament and two squads (Bethany and Sterling) officially eliminated.

Tied for ninth with Evangel and one point behind York for the final playoff berth, Ottawa is still in control of its own destiny. A win on Saturday could leapfrog the Braves as high as seventh - level with Tabor - and Ottawa will host its season finale against a Sterling College team that is already out of contention.

Welcome (Back) Home

After playing the past several seasons at AdventHealth Field, Ottawa returns to the Dick Peters Sports Complex for the 2026 season.

"We are excited to be returning home to Dick Peters Sports Complex," said head coach James Cottage. "Playing on a soccer specific field, a field that is longer and wider, it will really match what we're trying to achieve. We want to play with fast wingers that can get into one on one opportunities, but this field will help defenders as well."

In addition to the benefits for the team, the fan experience is also expected to be improved with the move to Peters.

"With the move, fans can be closer to the field and really get up close and be that extra bit of support for our team," added Cottage. "I want to make it feel like a home, a place where teams look at it and go 'Oh, we've got to go to Ottawa. We have to play on that big field and it's going to be a mess.' That's what we're looking for."

Season-long fans may have spotted an additional upgrade at the complex, as the scoreboard in the northwest corner of the field has been refurbished in anticipation of hosting an NAIA National Championship Opening Round in the near future.