MONTREAL -- Maude Leclerc of Rosemere, Que., connected on a controversial penalty kick and Catherine Langelier registered a six-save shutout to give the No. 7-ranked Montreal Carabins a 1-0 victory over McGill in women's university soccer at Percival Molson Stadium, Friday.

It marked the Martlets's annual the "Pink Game" for breast cancer and the team was dressed in pink uniforms instead of the traditional red outfits.

Leclerc, a fifth-year midfielder, was awarded a penalty kick in the 19th minute after running down the left flank, dribbled into the box and colliding into McGill defender Stephanie Hill, who appeared to be in perfect position to thwart the threat. On the ensuing penalty kick, Leclerc fired a left-footed rocket past just inside the right goal post, just out of reach of diving McGill goalkeeper Sophie Guilmette, who guessed correctly but was helpless on the play.

Hill attempted to convince the official of how her positioning on the play was perfect and not a foul. But it was to no avail.

"I feel that the referee would change his mind if he was able to watch the play on video," said McGill head coach Jose-Luis Valdes, hinting that a video assisted replay process should be adopted. "We saw it on film after the game and it's just not a penalty shot. Leclerc ran into our defender and tripped over her leg."

McGill had a 14-13 edge in attempted shots, although the Carabins held a 6-5 margin in shots on target. U de M was assessed 13 of the 20 fouls called by the officials and was flagged with the only card issued, a yellow to Katya Houpert in the 80th minute. The only significant edge for the Carabins was in corner kicks, where they had a 6-1 margin.

"We deserved a better outcome," added Valdes. "We had possession, controlled the game for the most part, limited their scoring chances but unable to capitalize on our opportunities."

McGill squandered a number of high-end chances, hitting a pair of goal posts in the first half alone. One of those was on a free kick by Chloe Renaud from 22 yards out that deflected off a diving Langelier, then hit the upright and bounced back in front of the crease.where the 'keeper was able to regain control.

Guilmette, whose record dropped to 3-4-2, ended up with four saves in a losing cause between the pipes for the Martlets.

With four games remaining before playoffs, Montreal owns an 8-2-0 record. they are only three points behind division-leading Laval (9-1-0) and one win shy of clinching second place in the eight-team RSEQ conference. The Carabins will host seventh-place Bishop's (1-5-4) on Oct. 14.

McGill (4-4-2) sits in the fourth and final playoff berth, two pints ahead of UQTR (4-6-0). The Martlets will play at Trois-Rivieres on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.

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Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 (Tel.)
www.mcgillathletics.ca
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca