Cascades advance to CIS National Championship “Final Four”
The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women’s soccer team defeated Laval University Rouge et Or, 2-0, to advance to the CIS national championship “Final Four.” The Cascades playing in their first ever CIS national championship match looked like a seasoned veteran team as they played an excellent first half controlling the ball and the majority of play in the midfield. The Cascades defence kept frustrating the powerful Laval offense and keeping the ball away from goalkeeper Chantelle Biagioni, Pitt Meadows, BC who went called upon made several great saves to preserve the scoreless draw at the intermission.
The Cascades Andrea McLachlan, Maple Ridge, BC and captain Megan Webster, Abbotsford, BC worked hard all afternoon to keep the Laval midfield from mounting any offensive attacks. The first half ended scoreless with Cascades pressuring Laval as the whistle blew.
In the second half, Laval came out and mounted their only offensive attack only to be stopped by Biagioni, Canada West All-Star Lyndsay Munro, Maple Ridge, BC and Caitlin Blondin, Abbotsford, BC who played a great game of keeping the Laval forwards to the outside of the pitch, never giving them any runs in the middle of the park. The offense came to life led by “Player of the Match” Carly Neeson, Maple Ridge, BC who had several great scoring chances on break aways, but it would be the one time she could not break through the Laval defence and was fouled outside the penalty area. Blondin stepped up and converted the free kick into the back of the Laval net for the first CIS Championship goal in Cascade history.
UFV built even more momentum on the first goal and kept pressuring Laval, their hard work produced a second goal when rookie forward Danielle deBruin, Victoria, BC scored her second impact goal in two weeks to clinch the Cascades first ever CIS post season victory on the national scene.
“We have a long way to go, but I am very proud of the team,” said UFV Head Coach Rob Giesbrecht, who earn his final victory at the national level scene. “The team did a fantastic job of adjusting to the weather, wind and any Laval tactics.” “Caitlin and Lyndsay were solid in the back and Chantelle was a great leader behind the back four.”
The Cascades will now turn their attention to playing Queen’s University Gaels of the OUA. The Gaels beat Cape Breton, 1-0, in the first match of the day. The Gaels are no strangers to the CIS tournament, winning the National Title in 1988 and making over a dozen appearances in the CIS Championship over the past 20 years.
” We are taking one match at a time,” said Giesbrecht. “We respect all our opponents at the CIS Championships.”
The Cascades take to the UPEI pitch on Saturday (November 13th) at 1:00PM AST (9:00AM BC).
Laval 0 0 = 0
UFV 0 2 = 2
Scoring:
First Half:
No Scoring
Second Half:
65:00 UFV Caitlin Blondin
85:00 UFV Danielle deBruin
Goalkeeper:
UFV: Chantelle Biagioni W Saves: 3 Post Season Shutout: 2
Shots on Goal:
Laval: 10/ UFV: 5
Corner Kicks:
Laval: 5/ UFV: 2
Match Player of the Game:
UFV: Carly Neeson, Maple Ridge, BC
CIS Semi-Final Schedule:
Saturday, November 13 Queen’s (OUA) v UFV (Canada West) 1:00PM AST/ 9:00AM BC Time
Coverage: www.ssncanada.ca
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