MONTREAL -- Arianne Lavoie of Laprairie, Que., scored the game-winner and Sophie Guilmette registered a shutout as the McGill women's soccer team officially kicked off its 39th year of operation with a 1-0 victory over UQTR in RSEQ play at Percival Molson Stadium, Wednesday.

The Martlets, a program founded in 1985, extended a six-year undefeated streak against the Patriotes to 7-0-3, dating back to the last loss, a 2-1 decision in Trois-Rivieres, on Sept. 1, 2017.

The first half was played under a steady drizzle, which started about 15 minutes after kickoff.

Lavoie, a first-year transfer from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., converted a breakaway in the 50th minute of play after receiving a nifty behind-the-back pass from the heel of Chloe Renaud, a sophomore midfielder from St. Hubert, Que. It capped a three-way play that was initiated by sophomore midfielder Hana Yazdani of Coquitlam, B.C.

"It was pretty sweet play," said McGill head coach Jose-Luis Valdes. "Yaz played a nice ball to Chloe who showed top-level creativity to find Arianne and her composure was superb on a 1-v-1. That was a quality finish by a natural goal-scorer."

Guilmette, a second-year transfer from Vanderbilt University, was called upon to make three saves. It was her sixth career shutout in 14 regular season contests dating back to her McGill debut last season.

The Martlets had 55 per cent possession of the ball and a 14-9 edge in attempted shots, including a 4-3 advantage on net. UQTR held a 3-2 margin in corner kicks and took nine of the 20 fouls called in the game. The only card issued by the referee was a yellow to UQTR's Katherine Laroche in the 77th minute.

The Patriotes (0-1-0) will play host to Montreal (0-0-1) on Friday (Sept. 1) at 6 p.m., while McGill (1-0-0) will entertain Concordia (0-0-1) at Molson Stadium on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

MARTLET MURMURS: Defender Mara Bouchard, a 22-year-old psychology junior from Granby, Que., has been named as the team captain for this season... The alternate captains are expected to be announced shortly... McGill's 28-member team roster features 10 new faces (three of them transfers), six sophomores, five juniors and seven seniors... The geographical breakdown includes 15 from Quebec, six from British Columbia, five from Ontario, one from Alberta and one from the U.S.

BOXSCORE

RSEQ STATS & STANDINGS

SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
CELL: 514-983-7012
WEBSITE:www.mcgillathletics.ca
E-MAIL:earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca