QUARTER-FINAL #4: 2009 CIS women’s soccer championship: No. 1 Carabins come back to edge hosts

By University of Toronto sports information office

TORONTO (CIS) – Freshman Virginie Lévesque scored the game-winner in the 65th minute as the top-ranked Montreal Carabins overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit to edge the tournament host Toronto Varsity Blues 3-2 in the fourth quarter-final of the CIS women’s soccer championship at Varsity Centre, Thursday evening.

Down by a pair early in the second half, the Quebec champions, who led the nation this season with 57 goals in 14 conference games, exploded for three goals in 13 minutes to escape with the victory and qualify for the medal round for the second straight year.

Lévesque, a midfielder from Montreal, completed the comeback off a corner kick by two-time all-Canadian Véronique Maranda, also from Montreal. Lévesque fought through the scramble to put the ball past keeper Mary Anne Barnes.

Véronique Laverdière, another Montreal native, started the Carabins comeback with a pair, bringing her team back to within one in the 52nd minute and tying the affair 10 minutes later.

Sophomore striker Jennifer Siu of London, Ont., had sent the host Blues to the locker room ahead by two with first-half marker in the sixth and 39th minute.

“It started out rough - the strategy wasn’t to give up a goal seven minutes into the game,” said Montreal head coach Kevin McConnell. “The girls showed composure and true character is shown during hard times, not easy times. To come back 3-2 definitely says something about this team.”

The Carabins enjoy a day off Friday before facing Canada West finalist UBC in Saturday’s second semifinal at 3:30. Montreal lost 2-0 to Brock in last year’s semis but rebounded in the bronze-medal game for the first CIS podium finish in program history.

Toronto, which lost in the OUA quarterfinals this fall, is making its first-ever appearance at the national championship. The Blues will battle cross-town rival York on the consolation side Friday at 3:30 p.m.

The Blues opened the scoring as third-year defender Nav Deol of Mississauga, Ont., sent a beautiful pass through two Montreal defenders to a speedy Siu who sent the ball into bottom left corner of the net.

On the ensuing play, Laverdière sent a rocket towards Scarborough, Ont., native Barnes, who caught it and quickly sent it up the field.

Siu continued her stellar play with numerous fast breaks to pressure Carabins goalkeeper Martine Julien of Lachine, Que.

Laverdière looked as though she would even the score in the 25th minute, sending a wide-angled shot that forced Barnes to dive right and make the save.

Just five minutes later, fourth-year U of T veteran Mel Seabra of Brampton, Ont., sent a booming shot off the cross bar to get the home crowd on their feet.

The Quebec champs began to pressure the Blues defence as Éva Thouvenot-Hébert of Montreal headed a pass to Laverdière, however, Toronto defender Janessa Banwell of Scarborough was there to keep the ball out of harms way.

Siu added her second of the night six minutes before the break, taking a pass from first-year OUA all-star Arin King of Pickering, Ont., and sending a nice hard shot over Julien’s head to give Toronto a 2-0 lead at the half.

The tables quickly turned in the second period as Toronto slowed their first-half pace and Montreal began to show why they are the No. 1 team in the country.

Laverdière finally got her side on the board in the 52nd minute when she bicycle-kicked the ball over a diving Barnes and into the net.

Montreal continued to press and evened the score in the 62nd minute when Maranda sent a free kick from 30 yards out and Laverdière was there to direct it into the net.

Following Lévesque’s game-winner, Siu looked as though she would tie things up and complete her hat trick performance in the 86th minute as Montreal’s back-up goalkeeper Sarah Thérien fumbled a ball, but the Montreal native quickly recovered before Siu could get a clear shot on goal.

SCORING SUMMARY

Montreal: 0-3: 3
Toronto: 2-0: 2

First Half
1. Toronto, Jennifer Siu (1), 6th minute
2. Toronto, Jennifer Siu (2), 39th minute

Second Half
3. Montreal, Véronique Laverdière (1), 52nd minute
4. Montreal, Véronique Laverdière (2), 62nd minute
5. Montreal, Virginie Lévesque (1), 65th minute

Goalkeepers:
Montreal: Martine Julien (2 GA, 1 save, 45:00 mins)
Montreal: Sarah Therien (W, 0 GA, 1 save, 45:00 mins)
Toronto: Mary Anne Barnes (L, 3 GA, 2 saves, 90:00 mins)

Shots: Toronto 7, Montreal 9
Shots on Net: Toronto 4, Montreal 5
Corners: Toronto 2, Montreal 5
Offsides: Toronto 2, Montreal 2
Fouls: Toronto 13, Montreal 9
Yellow Cards: none
Red Cards: none

Players of the game:
Montreal: Véronique Laverdière
Toronto: Jennifer Siu

CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE & RESULTS

Thursday, Nov. 12
Quarter-final 1: Queen’s 1, StFX 0 (OT)
Quarter-final 2: Trinity Western 1, UPEI 0
Quarter-final 3: UBC 2, York 1 (OT)
Quarter-final 4: Montreal 3, Toronto 2

Friday, Nov. 13
13:30 Consolation 1: StFX vs. UPEI (SSN Canada webcast)
15:30 Consolation 2: York vs. Toronto (SSN Canada webcast)

Saturday, Nov. 14
13:30 Semifinal 1: Queen’s vs. Trinity Western (SSN Canada webcast)
15:30 Semifinal 2: UBC vs. Montreal (SSN Canada webcast)
18:30 Consolation final (5th-place match) (SSN Canada webcast)

Sunday, Nov. 15
14:00 Bronze medal (SSN Canada webcast)
17:00 Championship final (SSN Canada webcast)

- CIS -