Brock University Athletics

Brock's first-year striker Drew Smith (#14) scored the game-winning goal versus McMaster during an OUA exhibition match at Alumni Field on Sept. 15.

Women's Soccer 9/16/2021 12:51:00 PM Stephen Leithwood

‘It felt like a regular-season game, it’s amazing to be back’

Brock women’s soccer team returns to the pitch

The Brock Badgers women's soccer team returned to the pitch on Alumni Field for the first time since 2019 on Wednesday, Sept. 15.

Their match against the McMaster Marauders was an exhibition game on the schedule, but the intensity felt like an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) regular-season game to the Badgers.

The women's team earned a clean sheet victory as goalkeepers Emma Hendrie, Isabelle Newkirk and Salena Kumar-Narayan backstopped the Badgers to a 1-0 win on a cool Wednesday evening.

"It felt like a regular-season game. It's amazing to be back," said third-year defender Emily Cirone. "We have many new faces, and I think we played great together for the first time. It was good to see our rookies take control of the play."

Brock starting 11 — Brock's starting 11 versus McMaster.

Brock's goal came from a pair of first-year Badgers who punished the Marauders following a perfectly executed counterattack.

Striker Drew Smith, a Kinesiology student from Smithville, netted the game's only goal on a pass from winger Sabrina Bisante, a Teacher Education student from Caledon East, midway through the first half.

Smith headed the ball to Bisante after receiving it at the half, and within a blink of an eye, the Badgers manufactured their first goal in almost two years.

"I headed it down the line for Sabrina, and she made an awesome run past the defender before crossing the ball into the box perfectly," Smith said. "Beautiful play by Sabrina."

She redirected Bisante's cross off her left foot as the McMaster keeper was left helpless.

Smith said it was intimidating playing in her first OUA match. However, the support and guidance from her teammates turned that feeling into excitement.

"Once I got onto the pitch, I knew that no matter what, we would be coming out of this game as a team," Smith said. "All we needed to do was play our game, and we did. The girls worked so hard, and in the end, it paid off. I am so proud of everyone, and I am beyond excited for the rest of the season."

The Brock women's soccer team opens the OUA regular season on the road at Western on Friday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. before returning home and hosting the Mustangs on Sunday, Sept. 26, for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

The Brock women's soccer team mask bench

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Players Mentioned

#12 Emily Cirone: D; 5' 8"; Third Year

#1 Emma Hendrie: GK; 5' 8"; Third Year

#24 Isabelle Newkirk: G; 5' 6"; Second Year

#9 Sabrina Bisante: W; 5' 3"; First Year

#25 Salena Kumar-Narayan: G; 5' 3"; First Year

#14 Drew Smith: S/W; 5' 6"; First Year

Players Mentioned

#12 Emily Cirone
: 5' 8"; Third Year
: D

#1 Emma Hendrie
: 5' 8"; Third Year
: GK

#24 Isabelle Newkirk
: 5' 6"; Second Year
: G

#9 Sabrina Bisante
: 5' 3"; First Year
: W

#25 Salena Kumar-Narayan
: 5' 3"; First Year
: G

#14 Drew Smith
: 5' 6"; First Year
: S/W

Brock University Athletics

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned