MONTREAL -- Audrey-Ann Coughlan, a striker from Longueuil, Que., scored the game-winner as the McGill University women's soccer team blanked visiting Acadia 2-0 in exhibition play at Percival Molson Stadium, Monday afternoon.

McGill had a significant territorial advantage, outshooting the Axewomen by an 11-4 margin. It was the third game in as many days for Acadia, which dropped to 1-2 in their preseason tour of RSEQ teams, losing 3-1 at Concordia on Aug. 29 before bouncing back for a 4-1 victory at Bishop's, Aug. 30. Last year, the Axewomen finished fourth in the 10-team AUS conference with a 5-1-7 record.

"We had a couple of defensive mishaps in the first half but it was a good performance," said Jose-Luis Valdes, in his third season as McGill head coach. "Our subs came in for the second half and were able to seal the victory without giving up much. Technically, we were very clean in the middle, which was good to see."

Coughlan, a 20-year-old science sophomore majoring in kinesiology, tallied in the 13th minute of play, taking a pass from freshman Tia Lore of Richmond, B.C., and firing a strong shot from just inside the box.

Teammate Alexandria Hoyte, a fifth-year chemical engineering senior from Laval, Que., who missed the last two seasons with injuries, made it 2-0 with an insurance marker on a set-play, just two minutes before halftime. She converted a nifty one-touch pass from senior Daphnee Morency-Roussin of Boulder, Colorado.

Goalkeeper Cassandra Fafalios of Richmond Hill, Ont., started for McGill and collected the victory. The 5-foot-5 political science junior saved all three shots faced before giving way to junior Sarah Dubois of Edmonton, Alta., in the 60th minute. Dubois, also a chemical engineering major, turned aside the lone shot she saw over the final 30 minutes.

At the other end of the pitch, Sarah Charnock, a 5-foot-9 rookie from Newmarket, Ont., started between the pipes for Acadia and turned aside seven of nine shots in a losing cause. She was replaced at halftime by junior Emma Connell of Hampton, N.S., who saved all four shots faced in the second stanza.

The result improved McGill's record to 2-1 in preseason action against CIS opponents.

"Out of the three games and four scrimmages thus far, we've played a few good games where we moved the ball around very well," added Valdes. "But there have been a couple of others where it's been more difficult, so we're still trying to find our rhythm. We played a lot of games in just a few days, so it's been a bit difficult to work (cohesively) as a group. It's been more challenging than usual to implement our philosophy and systems. However, because of the (busy schedule), we've been able to give everybody lots of playing time, which has given our nine freshmen an opportunity to adjust to the university level and show what they have."

The Martlets, who finished fourth in the eight-team RSEQ conference last year with a 4-6-4 record, have one more non-conference match scheduled at home -- against John Abbott College on Sunday, Sept. 6 -- before the regular season opens on the road at Concordia, Sept. 11. 

Although the team roster is currently at 25 players and is close to being finalized, the Martlets will hold open try-outs on Sept. 7. Anyone wishing to try-out should contact the head coach at jose-luis.valdes@mgill.ca.

SOURCE:
 
Earl Zukerman
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Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
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