Armstrong powers soccer Martlets to victory on the Plains of Abraham
QUEBEC CITY -- Freshman Alexandra Armstrong of London, Ont., converted a pass from Anna Smith of Somerville, Mass., in the 10th minute of play as visiting McGill stunned No.8-ranked Laval for the second time in three days, coming away with a 1-0 victory from a key women's soccer game at PEPS stadium, near the Plaines of Abraham, Sunday.
"It was a great weekend for our program, winning home and away games against the 8th-ranked team in the nation," said Marc Mounicot, head coach of the Martlets. "Our second encounter with Laval was again a hard-fought battle and a carbon copy of Friday's win with less goals but the same determination and quality -- high on performance, in team spirit and structured play."
Quebec City native Anne-Catherine Huot made three saves to preserve the shutout for the Martlets, who swept their two-game regular season series against the Rouge et Or for only the second time in school history and the first since 2004. McGill improved to 9-6-6 lifetime at Laval since they joined the Quebec conference in 1995.
It was the sixth straight victory for the Martlets, who started the season at 0-2 and now own a 6-2 record. The win moves McGill into sole possession of second-place in the Quebec league standings, three points ahead of Sherbrooke (5-1-0) and six points ahead of fourth-place Laval (4-3-0). The Montreal Carabins sit top the eight-team conference with an unblemished 8-0 mark.
"This young team has gained much confidence and all players are to be congratulated," added Mounicot. "The most promising thing about the win today is that, because of injuries, we started only two veterans. Everyone has stepped up since the injury to Katherine Green (on Sept. 25), one of our top defenders."
With six contests remaining before playoffs, the Martlets will now turn to preparing for a home game against Sherbrooke at Molson Stadium on Oct. 16. They will be looking to avenge an embarrassing 4-0 road loss to the Vert & Or on Sept. 13.
SCORING SUMMARY
First Half:
1. Alexandra Armstrong (Anna Smith), 10:00
Second Half:
(no scoring)
GOALTENDERS:
McGill: Anne-Catherine Huot (W, 90:00, 0GA, 3 saves, SHO)
Laval: Noemie Duguay (L, 90:00, 1GA, 4 saves)
SHOTS (on net/attempted)
McGill 4/7
Laval 3/6
CROSSES:
McGill 5
Laval 3
CORNERS:
McGill 4
Laval 5
FOULS:
McGill 12
Laval 4
CARDS:
McGill 0
Laval 0
PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
McGill: Laura Gibson
Laval: Virginie Jacques
ATTENDANCE: 300
McGILL'S STARTING LINEUP
G: Anne-Catherine Huot
D: Claire Hooper (out at 84:00)
D: Elizabeth Williams (C)
D: *Carolyn Bell
D: Maggie Keating
M: Anna Smith
M: Laura Gibson
M: *Julia Bahen
M: *Alexandra Armstrong (out at 63:00)
M: Kathleen Wakeling
F: Alexandra Morin-Boucher (out at 75:00)
SUBSTITUTIONS:
M: *Hannah Simmons (in at 63:00)
F: Cristina Di Caprio (in at 75:00)
F: *Laura Bland-Lasso (in at 84:00)
DID NOT PLAY:
G: Shimone Slomowitz (dressed but DNP)
D: *Kristina Tzievrakis (dressed but DNP)
D: *Lauren Kipp (dressed but DNP)
F: *Zohra Bendouah (dressed but DNP)
D: *Juliana Just-Costa
D: Katherine Green (injd)
M: *Ginger Jefferies (injd)
M: *Joanna Sienko (injd)
F: *Sophia Horricks (injd)
F: *Courtney Nelson
*freshman
SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 (Tel.)