MONTREAL -- Mohammad Reza-Nafar was credited with the tying goal on a counter-attack in the 57th minute of play as his Concordia Stingers escaped with a 1-1 stalemate before a sold out crowd at Percival Molson Stadium, Friday. It was the third straight sellout for the Redbirds, who have been capped at 500 tickets per outing, due to COVID-related protocols.

McGill had an 11-4 edge in attempted shots, a 6-3 advantage on net and a 3-0 margin in corner kicks.

Freshman Bilal Bouchemella, a rangy, 6-foot-1 defender from Montreal, put the Redbirds ahead 1-0, converting a Reese Carlow corner kick with a brilliant header in the 23rd minute of play.

The home side had a golden opportunity to take a two-goal lead when a penalty-kick was called 13 minutes later after a yellow-card was issued to Concordia's Brandon Phelps. Team captain Sebastan Cobuzzi of St. Leonard, Que., failed to capitalize when he hit the right goalpost. On the rebound, Carlow, a freshman from Japan, also hit the same post, then drew a yellow caution on the ensuing play.

Senior goalkeeper Chris Cinelli-Faia of Dollard des Ormeaux, Que., who returned from injury to make his first start of the season, saved one of two shots faced for the tie, while Stingers 'keeper Julian Petrilli turned aside three of four.

It was a physical affair, featuring 20 fouls, 11 to Concordia, and six yellow cards, five of which went against the Redbirds.

McGill, which remains fifth in the RSEQ conference with a 1-3-1 record, is four points behind Laval (2-1-2) for the last playoff berth in the seven-team league. The Redbirds will host winless Sherbrooke (0-4-1) in a must-win affair on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at Molson Stadium.

The Stingers (2-1-3), who sit in third place, five points ahead of McGill, are scheduled to play next on Oct. 8 against the undefeated Montreal Carabins (5-0).

BOXSCORE

RSEQ STATS & STANDINGS


SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 (Tel.)
m.athletics.mcgill.ca (mobile website)
www.mcgillathletics.ca
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca