MONTREAL -- Sophomore midfielder Anna Smith of Somerville, Mass., scored once and added a pair of assists as McGill defeated Sherbrooke 3-1 in a sudden-death Quebec university women's soccer semifinal at Molson Stadium, Friday.

 

Smith, a 20-year-old history major, converted a pass from Cristina Di Caprio in the 12th minute, the set up the game-winning tally by Vancouver native Hannah Simmons some four minutes into the second half. Smith then teamed up with Elizabeth Williams of Calgary, Alta., to give McGill a commanding 3-0 lead in the 65th minute.

 

Chloe Belhumeur-Limoges of Drummodville, Que., replied three minutes later but the Martlets defence stifled Sherbrooke the rest of the way.

 

McGill had a lopsided 18-6 margin in shots on net. Winning goalkeeper Anne-Catherine Huot, a junior from Quebec City, made five saves in her third consecutive start after serving as a backup for four straight matches.

 

"We had a solid performance tonight and we were able to score early in both halves and never looked back," said an emotional Marc Mounicot, in his 12th season as head coach of the Martlets. "We are peaking at the right time and this young group is hungry and confident. Everyone on the team showed great poise and good soccer tactical sense tonight. Our leaders acted like leaders and the entire team followed their example. It was great to see and be able to watch such performance."

 

The result, combined with Montreal's 3-0 win over visiting Laval, pits McGill in the Quebec league championship game for the first time in three years. The Martlets will travel to the other side of Mt. Royal to take on the No.1-ranked Carabins at Stade CEPSUM on Sunday at 1 p.m.

 

"We are ready to face the No. 1 team in the country and we will go there with a lot of determination and pride," said Mounicot. "We are clearly the underdogs and playing away is always a challenge. Our season is already a success but we are still looking for the big prize."

 

SCORING SUMMARY

McGill 3, Sherbrooke 1

(@ Molson Stadium)

 

FIRST HALF:

1. McGill: Anna Smith (Cristina Di Caprio), 12:00

 

SECOND HALF:

2. McGill: Hannah Simmons (Anna Smith), 49:00

3. McGill: Elizabeth Williams (Anna Smith), 65:00

4. Sherbrooke: Chloe Belhumeur-Limoges (Marie-Emilie Perreaulr-Morier), 68:00

 

GOALTENDERS:

McGill: Anne-Catherine Huot (W, 5 saves, 1 GA, 90:00)

Sherbrooke: Marie-Michelle Coulombe (L, 15 saves, 3 GA, 90:00)

 

PLAYERS OF THE GAME:

McGill: Anna Smith

Sherbrooke: Chloe Belhumeur-Limoges

 

SHOTS (Made/Attempted)

McG (18/23)

Sher (6/9)

 

CORNERS

McG 4

Sher 3

 

CROSSES

McG 13

Sherb 4

 

OFFSIDES

McG 4

Sherb 2

 

FOULS

McG 10

Sherb 7

 

McGILL STARTING LINEUP:

G: Ann-Catherine Huot

D: Elizabeth Williams (C)

D: *Carolyn Bell

D: Katherine Green (68:00)

D: Kathleen Wakeling

M: Maggie Keating (62:00)

M: *Julia Bahen

M: Anna Smith

M: Claire Hooper

F: Cristina Di Caprio (73:00)

F: Hannah Simmons (62:00)

 

McGILL SUBSTITUTIONS:

F: Alexandra Morin-Boucher for Hannah Simmons (62:00)

M: *Alexandra Armstrong for Maggie Keating (62:00)

D: *Kristina Tzinevrakis for Katherine Green (68:00)

M: Laura Gibson for Cristina Di Caprio (73:00)

 

McGILL LINEUP SCRATCHES:

G: Shimone Slomowitz (dressed but DNP)

M: *Laura Bland-Lasso (dressed but DNP)

F:  Zohra Bendouah (dressed but DNP)

D: *Julianna Just-Costa

D: *Lauren Kipp

M: *Courtney Nelson (injd)

M: *Joanna Sienko (injd)

F: *Sophia Horricks (injd)

M: *Ginger Jefferies (injd)

 

ATTENDANCE: 100