Moncton finds winning goal in 90th minute
(Halifax, NS) – As the dark clouds parted, and the sun began to shine down, the Dalhousie Tigers took on l’Université de Moncton. After many chances coming from both sides, it took the full 90 minutes before either team could come up with a goal.
Game recap by: Kirk Jessome
(Halifax, NS) – As the dark clouds parted, and the sun began to shine down, the Dalhousie Tigers took on l'Université de Moncton. After many chances coming from both sides, it took the full 90 minutes before either team could come up with a goal, as Moncton broke the tie just before the final whistle blew to win 1-0.
L'Aigles Bleues came out firing at the start of the first half with an aggressive chip and run offensive style. This resulted in multiple odd-man breaks against the Tigers defence. Julie Gaudet (Dieppe, NB) appeared to be the main target for these plays as she came through with three shots on goal in the half as well as handling the corner kicks for UdeM.
The Tigers found their chances on the offensive end coming in bunches. A strike from Olivia MacIntyre (Sydney, NS) found the net but was parried by UdeM keeper Dominique LeBlanc (Dieppe, NB), but she didn't have much time to recover as the rebound found its way to the boot of Rachelle Lalande (Halifax, NS) who put another shot into the arms of the keeper.
On another chip play coming off a counter-attack Adele Cormier (Grand-Barachois, NB) found herself facing only the keeper with defenders on her shoulder. She put a low ball toward the net that beat Tigers keeper Kate Fines (Halifax, NS), but couldn't beat the near post.
With scoring chances coming from both sides, neither team managed to find the back of the net in the first half as it came to a close with a 0-0 draw.
As the second half began, the Tigers continued to tested LeBlanc. A looping corner from Meagan McKenna (Halifax, NS) connected with the head of Paige Jamieson (Calgary, AB) but it was too soft as it found its way into the hands of keeper, Dominique LeBlanc.
The action stayed in the Moncton end as the Tigers pressured to get the opening goal. Rachelle LaLande had another chance off a free-kick outside the box. She placed it well, around the wall but LeBlanc was up to the task again.
Just as the game appeared as if it would end in a stalemate, UdeM made a quick counter in the 90th minute as the ball deflected to Vanessa Lebrun (Bathurst, NB) just outside the box, who quickly squared-up and chipped it over the head of a leaping Kate Fines, into the top corner to break the deadlock.
The Tigers rushed the ball back to the center dot, and the quick play resulted in one last free-kick attempt. With all players forward, including Fines, the ball was chipped high into the box looking for the head of a Dalhousie player, but instead found a Moncton defender who was able to clear as the final whistle blew.
The one goal, coming at an opportune time was all that was needed for l'Université de Moncton to claim the 1-0 win.
The Subway Player of the Game was Katrine Leblanc (St-Hubert, QC) who controlled the backfield for l'Aigles Bleues.
The Tigers are back in action when they travel to Sackville, NB to take on Mount Allison on the 30th. UdeM will look to keep their momentum going as they travel to Acadia tomorrow.