Canada’s best women’s university soccer teams and their fans will descend on McGill University this weekend as the school prepares to host the CIS Women’s Soccer National Championship Tournament. As tournament hosts, the Martlets punched their ticket to the big dance before a ball was even kicked this season. The opposition will be strong but McGill is hoping that their loyal fans will give them the boost that they need to win their first ever Gladys Bean Memorial Trophy.
Last year, the McGill Martlets Women’s Soccer Team was expected to qualify for nationals. They were undefeated throughout the season with a 9-0-5 record. Due to a heartbreaking defeat in the RSEQ semifinals, their dreams were cut short despite their incredible regular season success. With a record of 8-3-3, this year featured more ups and downs. They dominated in games against rivals Bishop’s and Concordia. They continued their success against Laval, but struggled with UQTR and with UQAM. They have yet to beat the University of Montreal, having tied twice, or the University of Sherbrooke, who they lost to twice in the regular season and again in the conference semifinal. “This team has some quality but is inconsistent and we play probably the best team from the toughest conference in our first game,” Head Coach Marc Mounicot said. “Trinity [Western] has won two CIS championships in the last three years and is loaded with talent. Our team can challenge the best team and has demonstrated this during pre-season but they have to believe they can do it.”
Although they will be facing Canada’s best, the Martlets do have some star power that will be key in McGill’s attempt to defend their home field at this year’s competition. Fourth-year forward Alexandra Morin-Boucher leads the team with nine goals and four assists. Rookie midfielder Alexandria Hoyte is making her presence known with three goals and four assists. These two will be a challenge for any defenders they face this weekend. The Martlets also have a strong defensive wall led by Julia Bahen and Kelsey Wilson in the back, along with goalkeeper Victoria Muccilli. Not only have these players played consistently throughout the season, but they have all been named RSEQ all-stars. With these players, along with the rest of the Martlets, McGill has a strong core that could potentially make them a dark horse at nationals.
“We need to play solid, perfect games, [and] have the players show up for all three [games],” said Mounicot. “It’s no tomorrow at nationals [so] once you lose, it’s all over. No errors and having luck on your side is the way you win a championship.”
The Martlets’ quest for gold begins Thursday night against Trinity Western at 7:30 p.m.
