YORK, Neb. - A pair of goals from
Charlotte Gatehouse and a combined five-save shutout from
Makena Tapia and
Lena-Marie Winkler helped Ottawa leapfrog York University in the KCAC standings as the Braves brought home a 2-0 win on Saturday.
Ottawa had the first pair of chances in the contest, with
Cennet Donahue testing Harumi Cornejo in the 10th minute before Gatehouse found net in the 14th. The Braves earned a throw in on the left wing, where
Emma Stillings found Gatehouse between a pair of Panther defenders. Gatehouse cut toward the center of the field and spotted daylight between Cornejo and the near post, slotting the ball home.
York nearly found an equalizer in the 37th minute, but a pair of outstanding reflex saves by Tapia kept the Braves in front. Samantha Bayer sent a well-timed through ball to Jenna Tutt, who one-timed a right-footed shot toward the top corner. Tapia made the diving stop but wasn't able to hold on to the ball, tumbling to her left. Celia Agudo Rezusta was on the spot for what appeared to be a certain rebound, but Tapia was able to miraculously spin from a kneeling position to make a kick save.
Ottawa's second goal also came from a throw in, but this time it was a forced turnover in midfield after a York possession. The throw in was intercepted and fell to the feet of
Melissa Grohmann. Grohmann looked up to start the counterattack, finding
Lily Martin central with room to play. Collecting the through ball, Gatehouse tried to poke a quick shot under a charging Cornejo. York's keeper was able to get down and make the original save, but the ball popped loose for an easy finish for Gatehouse's 10th goal of the season.
York had a pair of chances around the 75th minute, but both allowed Winkler to bleed time off the clock as Pamela Carmona Gonzalez's shot in the 74th minute dribbled through to Winkler's feet and McKenna Barbettini's desperate hit from 45 yards was settled by Winkler as well.
Maya Ramirez nearly found a third goal for the Braves in the 82nd minute as a turnover popped loose in the midfield and sent her on the run toward the right corner. She cut back to her left and tried to go low near corner, but Cornejo was able to make the stop.
Ottawa closes out the road portion of the regular season on Wednesday, with kickoff against Friends set for 5 p.m.
