Carabins down Lions to advance to national title game
The Montréal Carabins clinched a spot in the finals of the 2024 Bruce Power U SPORTS Men's Soccer Championship with a 2-1 victory over the York Lions in a thrilling semifinal match on Friday evening. Julien Bruce scored the decisive goal in the 50th minute, as he tapped in the ball off a header following a free kick, and sending the Carabins past their rivals from Toronto.
York struck first when Nick Spittle found the net with a shot from a through ball at the 23:52 mark, giving the Lions a brief lead. However, Montreal responded just before halftime, leveling the score with Bruce's equalizer. This clash marked yet another chapter in the storied rivalry between the two regions, underscoring the intensity of their competitive history.
Despite several attempts from York, including three shots on goal in the second half, they were unable to find an equalizer. The Carabins dominated possession, notching 18 shots in total against York's four and securing the win in front of a lively crowd at Vaso's Field.
With this victory, Montréal advances to Sunday’s championship game, hungry for glory after a strong season. The Lions will play for a bronze medal on Sunday.
Team Stats
| Game Statistics | York | Montreal |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 4 (3) | 18 (7) |
| Saves | 5 | 2 |
| Fouls | 12 | 15 |
| Corner Kicks | 1 | 4 |
| Offsides | 2 | 1 |