The Carabins would inch closer to the trophy in the 114th minute when Luca Ricci sent a high cross into the box from 30 yards out which made its way to Julien Bruce. The second-year forward from Paris, France controlled the ball and then fired a clutch strike that went through a Ravens defender and Kyle Potter for the late go-ahead goal that stunned the home faithful.
Carleton threw everyone forward in search of a goal to keep their championship dream alive. With one final chance to extend the season, forward Daniel Assaf darted unmarked into the six-yard box to toe-poke a loose ball into the back of the net to send the crowd into an explosive celebration on the last kick of the extra-time session.
The national championship would be decided in penalties.
With the Ravens up 2-1 in the shoutout, Montreal's Adam Benmoussa saw his shot stopped by Potter, but momentum carried it over the line to level it. After two successful kicks, Carleton's Ricky Comba, who scored the semifinal winner against Cape Breton, missed his attempt wide left. Montreal converted on their fourth, and Tareq Hamad scored Carleton's fifth penalty as the shootout came down to one final shot. Up stepped U SPORTS Player of the Year Frank Essomé Penda, who confidently struck the ball bar down for the winner as the Carabins players and fans sprinted towards their tournament hero to celebrate the victory.
Nike Team Players of the Game
- CAR: Mitchell O'Brien
- MTL: Guy Frank Essomé Penda
Championship MVP
- Guy-Frank Essomé Penda
Tournament All-Stars
- Svyatoslav Artemenko, GK, Guelph
- Kareem Sow, D, Montreal
- Tareq Hamad, D, Carleton
- Ricky Comba, M, Carleton
- Matteo de Brienne, M, Carleton
- Quentin Paumier, M, Montreal
- Alexander Zis, M, Guelph
- Charlie Waters, M, Cape Breton
- Luca Ricci, M, Montreal
- Gabriel Bitar, F, Carleton
- Frank Essomé-Penda, F, Montreal
SCORING SUMMARY
CAR: 1-0-1: 2
MTL: 0-1-1: 2
First half
CAR Matteo de Brienne (1), 19th minute
Second half
MTL Quentin Paumier (1), 90th minute
Extra Time
MTL Julien Bruce (1), 114th minute
CAR Daniel Assaf (1), 120th minute
Penalty Shootout
CAR Gabriel Bitar, goal
MTL Kareem Sow, goal
CAR Luca Piccioli, goal
MTL Adam Benmoussa, goal
CAR Dario Conte, goal
MTL Paul Mortas, goal
CAR Ricky Comba, miss
MTL Thierry Côté, goal
CAR Tareq Hamad, goal
MTL Guy-Frank Essomé Penda, goal
Montreal wins on penalties, 5-4