MONTREAL -- Striker Liliane Lefebvre of Toronto scored twice and goalkeeper Bria LaBella made a last-minute game-saving stop as McGill edged the Sherbrooke Vert & Or 2-1 in RSEQ women's soccer at Percival Molson Stadium, Sunday.
 
It was the second straight win for fourth-place McGill, which improved to 4-3-0 in the eight team Quebec conference, while last-place Sherbrooke dropped to 0-5-2.

LaBella, a native of Albany, N.Y., made her first career start in league play and registered four saves for the win. With two minutes left in injury time, the 5-foot-5 philosophy sophomore made a sensational diving save, to thwart a left-footed rocket from 12 yards out, fired by Sherbrooke sniper Lily Bellavance.

"Bria was picked player of the game by her teammates," said relieved McGill head coach Jose-Luis Valdes, who noted that she was injured last fall and only played a bit during the indoor season last winter.

"It wasn't pretty but we got off to a good start and it was a much-needed win," added Valdes. "It was a one-goal game and Sherbrooke was pressing right until the end, trying to get the tying goal. But we closed the door in a tight game and that's what we want to see from the team."
 
Lefebvre, who is listed as the team's third tallest player at 5-foot-8, initiated the scoring in record time, only two minutes after the opening whistle. She converted a brilliant pass from teammate Giovanna Tiberio, who intercepted the ball and lofted it past a defender to find Lefebvre alone at the top of the box.

After Sherbrooke forward Marilou Dugrenier tied the game in the 26th minute, Lefebvre countered with a header for her third of the season in the 61st minute. The play started with a corner kick from Chloe Renaud to Thalia Krauth-Ibarz, who headed the ball into the box. Lefebvre is now tied with Krauth-Ibarz for the team lead in scoring with three goals apiece in seven games.

"Lili has been working hard in practice and leads our forwards in minutes played," Valdes said. "So it was nice to see her rewarded with some goals today."
 
Sherbrooke had a 12-8 advantage in attempted shots and a 5-3 edge in corner kicks but took 14 of 20 fouls called.

Sarah-Maude Bernard took the loss for Sherbrooke, surrendering two goals on six shots.
 
Both teams play next on Sept. 30, with Sherbrooke (0-5-3) visiting league-leading Laval (6-1-0) and McGill (4-3-0) heading across town to confront third-place UQAM (4-1-2) at Saputo Stadium in a 6 p.m. start.
 
BOXSCORE

RSEQ STATS & STANDINGS


FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:

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