Laval stuns Cape Breton with late winner to advance to national semifinal
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 1 | 1 |
|
|
0 | 2 | 2 |
Team Stats
(4) Cape Breton
| Game Statistics | (4) Cape Breton | (5) Laval |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 7 (5) | 9 (7) |
| Saves | 5 | 4 |
| Fouls | 5 | 4 |
| Corner Kicks | 2 | 6 |
| Offsides | 1 | 1 |
The Laval Rouge et Or staged a dramatic comeback, scoring two second-half goals to defeat the Cape Breton Capers 2-1 in the first quarterfinal of the 2025 U SPORTS Women’s Soccer Championship on Thursday.
In a tightly contested match, the Atlantic champion Capers struck first just after halftime. Audrey Roy broke the deadlock in the 49th minute, finishing a play to give Cape Breton a 1-0 lead. Roy was a constant threat for the Capers, testing Laval goalkeeper Anne-Gabrielle Pouliot multiple times in the first half.
The RSEQ finalists from Laval pressed for an equalizer and found it in the 77th minute. Mathilde Beaudry leveled the score, finishing a play set up by an assist from Mathilde Rousseau to swing the momentum firmly in Laval's favour.
As the game appeared destined for extra time, the Rouge et Or delivered a stunning blow in stoppage time. Substitute Lea-Jeanne Fortier found the back of the net just on the death, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory and sending her team into a celebratory frenzy.
The win was anchored by a strong defensive performance from Laval, particularly from Pouliot, who made four saves in the first half to keep her team in the game. Cape Breton goalkeeper Ellie Lancaster was also sharp, making five saves in the losing effort.
With the victory, Laval advances to the national semifinal, where they will play tomorrow at 4 p.m. The loss ends Cape Breton’s championship hopes, and they will play in a consolation game tomorrow at 11 a.m.