Late goals send Laval to FISU University World Cup final
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 0 | 0 |
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0 | 2 | 2 |
Team Stats
Extreme South of Santa Catarina (BRA)
| Game Statistics | Extreme South of Santa Catarina (BRA) | Laval |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 6 (3) | 16 (5) |
| Saves | 3 | 3 |
| Fouls | 12 | 9 |
| Corner Kicks | 1 | 5 |
| Offsides | 2 | 0 |
The Laval Rouge et Or women's soccer team are headed to the championship final of the FISU University World Cup after a dramatic 2-0 victory over Brazil's University of the Extreme South of Santa Catarina (UNESC) in a semifinal Thursday.
After being stymied for over 80 minutes, Laval broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute when defender Elsa Lessard headed in a corner kick from Geneviève Girard. The insurance goal came just six minutes later, as Meredith St-Pierre converted a penalty kick in the 89th minute to seal the victory.
Goalkeeper Anne-Gabrielle Pouliot made three saves to earn the shutout for the Quebec City squad, which controlled much of the play. Laval outshot the Brazilian side 16-6, including a 9-3 advantage in the second half.
The Brazilian team's frustration showed late in the match, as they received three yellow cards in the final 15 minutes, including one to goalkeeper Lais Da Silva Souza for dissent.
With the win, Laval improves its tournament record to 3-0-1. They will face the Shanghai University of Sport in the gold medal match. Shanghai with a 2-0 win over the defending champions from Beijing Normal University.
The final is set for Saturday at 3:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
LAVAL 2 UNESC 0
LAVAL: Pouliot, Thibeault, Collin, Rousseau, Bujold-Samson, Grondine, St-Pierre, Lessard, Lavigueur (Mallais 65), Dupont (Beaudry 65), Girard.
Subs not used: Hillion, Poirier, Pelletier, Dumas, Stabile.
Goals: Lessard 84, St-Pierre (pen) 90
UNESC: Da Silva Souza, Felix de Almedia, Barrosso Santos (Sens 87), Loeblein, Lopes de Moura, Arno Pasin, Lima Moraes, De Jesus, Vieira Da Sylva, Reus Grmano, Moraes Charao
Subs not used: Kowalski, Daviacz Da Roch, Sabrina Moraes-Vicini, Samanta Moraes-Vicini, Bilar Danta, Possamai Demo
Booked: De Jesus, Da Silva Souza, Arno Pasin
Attendance: n/a
Referee: MU Mingsin (CHN)
2025 FISU UNIVERSITY WORLD CUP
SCHEDULE (All times Eastern)
Knockout Round
Wednesday
Fifth-place game
Valencia 1 Sydney 1 (Sydney wins 3-2 on penalties)
Thursday
Semifinals
Shanghai University of Sport 2 Beijing Normal 0
Laval 2 vs. Extreme South of Santa Catarina 0
Friday, Sept. 26
Bronze Medal Game
Beijing Normal vs. Extreme South of Santa Catarine, 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27
World Cup Final
Shanghai University of Sport vs. Laval, 3:30 a.m.