Aug. 25, 2012 - 5:00 PM

Martlet Soccer at Toronto (Old Four Tournament; Away)

Won 2-1 vs Toronto (PK: 3-1) (EXHIBITION)

TORONTO - It came down to penalty kicks but McGill came away with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the Toronto Varsity in women's university soccer in sweltering 28-degree conditions, Saturday, advancing to the championship game of the Old Four Tournament at U of T's Varsity Centre.

The teams were deadlocked at 1-1 heading into penalties, which McGill won 3-1.

Toronto struck first with Melissa Bowen beating Martlets third-year goalkeeper Victoria Muccilli of Mississauga, Ont., in the 28th minute of play.  Stephanie Avery, a junior from Tsawwassen, B.C., netted the equalizer for McGill some five minutes after halftime break beating 'keeper Sara Petrucci.

"It was difficult for both teams in this heat," said McGill head coach Marc Mounicot. "The goal they scored came on a bad turnover in the midfield. We had a better second half and played with more urgency."

In the shootout session, McGill's Julia Bahen of Vancouver, B.C., found the bottom right corner of the net on the team's first shot. The next two shooters came up empty, with Toronto's Oliva Gonsalves hitting the post and Avery's shot being turned aside by Petrucci.

Bowen then connected to give the Varsity Blues the equalizer but McGill regained the upper hand when Meghan Bourque, a junior from Burlington, Ont., hit the top left corner. Hannah Rivkin of St. John's, Nfld.,then went bottom left to put McGill up 3-1 and when Caroline Murphy's attempt was turned aside, it was over.

"We had not yet worked on penalty kicks but we're confident going into that because Muccilli usually does very well in that pressure situation and she proved herself once again," said Mounicot. "She was decisive in that moment and was a key factor in us winning the game."

McGill, which improved to 2-0-1 in preseason play, will meet the Western Mustangs, 1-0 winners over Queen's, in Sunday's championship game at 3 p.m.

Earlier, the Western Mustangs scored a late goal to squeak out a 1-0 victory over the defending OUA and CIS champion Queen's Gaels.  Third-year defender Haley Slavin of Burlington, Ont., netted the lone goal in the 78th minute. Western rookie goalkeeper Tori Edgar earned the shutout.

Play resumes Sunday morning, starting with the women's bronze medal match between Toronto and Queen's at 10 a.m.

SCORING SUMMARY:

FIRST HALF:

1. Toronto Melissa Bowen (28:00)

SECOND HALF:

2. McGill Stephanie Avery (50:00)

GOALKEEPERS:

Toronto: Sara Petrucci (L, 1GA, saves unavailable, 90:00)

McGill: Victoria Muccilli (W, 1GA, saves unavailable, 90:00)

PENALTY KICKS:

McGill 15  Julia Bahen                     Goal (bottom right corner)      1-0

Toronto Oliva Gonsalves               Save (ball goes off post)           1-0

McGill 10 Stephanie Avery           Save (top right corner)                1-0

Toronto Mel Bowen                       Goal (bottom left corner)          1-1

McGill 9 Megan Bourque                  Goal (top left corner)              2-1

Toronto Lisa English                        Miss (over top of net)              2-1

McGill 12 Hannah Rivkin                Goal (bottom left corner)          3-1

Toronto Caroline Murphy             Save (top right)                            3-1 Final

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2012 Old Four Soccer Tournament
August 25-26, 2012
Varsity Centre
299 Bloor St. West

WOMEN'S SCHEDULE:

MEN'S SCHEDULE:

Full men's and women's schedule and results: http://www.varsityblues.ca/sports/2012/8/7/MSOC_0807124948.aspx?id=486

SOURCE:

Earl Zukerman

McGill Athletics & Recreation

514-398-7012