The Western Mustangs were a renewed team Saturday afternoon as they took on the Waterloo Warriors in the OUA quarter-finals at Columbia Icefield. Western kept the Warriors offence off the board while chipping in for 39 points for the decisive victory. Waterloo has now been eliminated from playoff contention after going 3-1-1 during the regular season.

Two weeks prior the Warriors hosted the Mustangs and won by a score of 25-10. From the outset, Western seemed determined to change their fortunes in this opening round playoff match and did just that. Andrea Bowra had 2 tries and 2 converts while Nikki Case was a beast for the Mustangs created numerous long runs and scoring 2 tries.

At the start of the match, both teams were struggling to move the ball up the pitch with both teams defence standing tall. Case made a strong run for the Mustangs which eventually lead to a try by Bowra to open the match. After the convert was missed, Western had an early 5-0 lead.

During a ruck at centre field, the Warriors most dominate player all year, Erika Schroeder (New Dundee), was hit in the head which caused an injury. Schroeder, a cornerstone on both sides of the ball, had to be taken off. Shortly after, Western's Case made a tantalizing run through the middle of the pitch before scoring her first of two majors on the day to go ahead 10-0.

The Warriors tried to generate some offence but were thwarted by a strategic defensive line for the Mustangs. Western continued to dominate ball possession at the 20^th minute mark of the game when Tegan Williams took advantage of a hole in Waterloo's back line to score a try and extend the lead to 15-0. Case would pick up her second try of the game before closing out the half with Western leading 20-0.

Waterloo looked to come out firing in the second half but the purple and white were too strong for the Warriors. Western seemed to be winning a majority of the 50/50 balls and seemed more determined to punch their ticket to the OUA semi-finals next weekend.

Mackenzie Fane would score midway through the second half on a great outside run that gave her some space. Bowra would hit the convert to ensure the victory and extend the lead to 27-0.

Nicola Woelfle and Bowra would each score a try for their squad with one successful convert to close out the match 39-0. Western will now play in the semi-finals next weekend.

The Warriors had an excellent season which was highlighted by a draw against the nationally ranked Guelph Gryphons. Waterloo will look to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger next season with the knowledge of knowing they can compete with the best in the OUA.