Coming off an impressive pre-season (6-1-1), the McGill Martlets’ 5-1 victory Friday over the Sherbrooke Vert et Or showed nothing but promise.
The first goal of the match came from veteran striker Alexandra Morin-Boucher in the 10th minute of play. Assisted by a long drive from freshman forward Stephanie Avery, she shot a low strike across to the left corner of the net. Ten minutes later, she struck again with a pass from rookie midfielder Hannah Rivkin.
In the 23rd minute, Sherbrooke was awarded a penalty kick on a disputed shirt-pulling call. Vert et Or veteran striker Adréanne Gagne, put the ball just out of the rookie goalkeeper Valerie Labbé’s reach, putting the score to 2-1.
McGill controlled Sherbrooke for much of the first half, but after some halftime lineup alterations the Vert et Or’s defensive line solidified. The improvements, however, were not enough to stop Morin-Boucher from completing her hat trick in the 58th minute.
The Martlets’s goal streak continued as rookie midfielder Meghan Bourque buried a shot behind Sherbrooke keeper Marie-Michelle Coulombe.
In the final minute of the second half prior to injury time, rookie striker Bianca Cordileone scored the Martlets’s fifth goal after her substitution for Morin-Boucher. Seven freshman players got playing time, and they showed plenty of potential.
“I know what to expect from them,” said Head Coach Marc Mounicot, “I know their qualities, they were recruited because of those qualities. I think they did pretty well … and I’m quite positive about the future.”
Although the game was controlled by the Martlets’ offence, the win would not have been possible without the impermeable defence line. Led by team captain and star Katherine Green, there was not much the Vert et Or could do to break through.
The dauntless and quick-thinking freshman keeper Labbé ended the game with four phenomenal saves, only faltering on the penalty kick in the first half. Despite her lack of experience, Labbé should be a valuable pillar for the team.
Green, who has been enduring a recurring knee injury, was carried off the field after a collision in McGill’s penalty box. The plan is for Green to rest for the remainder of the weekend to recover.
“We are going to have to have some of the younger girls step up and command the play from the back,” said Green. “As well [as] the new keeper, Val. [She] is a great keeper, [and] is going to have to lead the team and see the field and see the play.”
The Martlets concluded their 2009 season as the second overall team in the QSSF, narrowly beating out the third-place Vert et Or by one point. This season, with the addition of 12 new recruits and the return of seasoned veterans, the Martlets will set out to outdo the Vert et Or for the top spot in the Quebec league.
