Laval University’s Rouge et Or started the Canadian Women’s Soccer Championship well by defeating the Western Mustangs 2-0 in Kingston this afternoon to reach the final four of the tournament.
The charges of David Desloges, Quebec silver medalist in 2022 and provincial champion, quickly showed their colors by scoring a goal in the 4th minute through Mathilde Rousseau.
The score remained unchanged until injury time when RSEQ MVP Daphnée Blouin doubled Rouge et Or’s lead. There were no goals in the second half. The shutout was recorded by Anne-Marie Laroche.
“That goal scored early in the game felt good and took some pressure off,” Desloges said. However, Western responded quickly and strongly and pushed us quite hard as the half progressed, pushing us deep into our territory, but we were able to turn things around in the final minutes and create a scoring opportunity.
With this victory, the Rouge et Or reached the Nationals Final Four for the third consecutive year and will face the winner of the game between the host team Trinity Western Spartans and the Queen’s Gaels on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Turned white at the banquet
The Rouge et Or was closed on Wednesday during the championship banquet. No big prizes for the RSEQ champions.
Blouin, the outstanding player on the Quebec scene, was elected to the first all-star team, while Elsa Lessard was elected to the second constellation. Florence Thibeault, RSEQ rookie par excellence, was named to the All-Rookie team.
Is being acquitted at the banquet an extra motivation? “It didn’t occur to us,” emphasized Desloges. When we left the room the trophy was on the table and the girls generally felt that we were there to win the big trophy.
The Université de Montréal Carabins also reached the semi-finals with a 2-0 win against the St. Francis Xavier X Women. The Carabins are seeded sixth at the national championships and are the reigning national champions. In the semifinals they will face the UBC Thunderbirds.