UFV Cascades fall in CIS Semi-Final, 2-0, to Queen’s University

The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women’s soccer team fell to the OUA’s Queen’s University Gaels, 2-0, in the CIS national semi-final, at Charlottetown, PEI.  The Cascades will face the University of Montreal Carabins (Quebec) on Sunday (November 14th) at 10:00AM AST (6:00AM BC Time) on www.ssncanada.ca

In today’s semi-final, the Queen’s Gaels came out strong and showed why this was their second straight trip to the elite “Final Four.”  The Cascades stayed with the Gaels in the early going and mounted the games’ first offensive shot by veteran forward Ellen Kuyer, Surrey, BC.

The Gaels started to put the pressure on UFV’s defence and their hard work paid off in a three minute span, Queen’s University’s Kelli Chamberlain and Jacqueline Tessier scored goals to give the Gaels a quick two goal lead at the 21st minute of play.  The second goal came as a result of a great stop by Chantelle Biagioni, Pitt Meadows, BC but unfortunately for Biagioni and the Cascades the rebound when straight to a streaking Tessier who did not make a mistake with her second shot.

The remainder of the first half was even with UFV attempting to solve Queen’s goalkeeper Elena Corry, who was not to be beat on this day.

The second half opened with UFV mounting their best offensive attack of the match for 15 minutes solid the Cascades forwards led by “Player of the Match” for a second straight night, Carly Neeson, Maple Ridge, BC, Danielle deBruin, Victoria, BC and Kuyer  putting pressure on Queen’s defence and getting off several shots on Corry.  Unlike the other three post season matches, UFV could not find the right magic to put the ball in the net.  Queen’s bent several times but never broke as they frustrated the Cascade offense all afternoon. The Gaels were able late in the game to push the ball down the field and hold off a very feisty Cascade team.

Biagioni played another great game in nets for UFV making several excellent saves and showing her leadership for the “back four.”

“It was a tough game, I’m proud of how we never quit. Giving up the two early goals made it difficult. We weren’t as sharp as we needed to be today, said UFV Head Coach Rob Giesbrecht.  ” In a national semifinal you get punished for making mistakes and unfortunately for us that occurred twice early in the match. We’ve shown great heart all year and we did again today.  Our girls went after the game and just lacked the final touch necessary to reduce the lead. Our players will learn from this experience and we will go after the bronze medal tomorrow. I’m so proud to coach such a great group.”

Queen’s   2  0  =  2

UFV         0  0  =  0

First Half:

17:47  QU  K Chamberlain (R Filon)

20:53  QU  J Tessier

Goalkeeping:
QU:  E Corry       W (2-0) Shutouts:  2 Saves:  5
UFV:  C Biagioni  L  (1-1)                    Saves:  7

QU:  17 / UFV:  10

QU:  5 / UFV:  1

UFV:  C Neeson

Montreal v UFV  10:00AM AST (6:00AM BC Time)