League1 Canada News

Semi Finals

August 13 AS Laval 1 v 1 Alliance United Laval win 6-5 on penalties Blainville 2 v 0 Varsity

3rd Place Play Off

August 14 Alliance United 2 v 2 Varsity Alliance win 4-1 on penalties

August 14 Blainville 3 v 0 AS Laval The inaugural Women’s Inter-Provincial Championship saw AS Blainville crowned as champions, but there were plenty of winners in a weekend that marked groundbreaking progress in the women’s game. Shining stars Blainville’s Megane Sauve was the Most Valuable Player in both of her side’s games en route to the title. She helped her teammates see out a 2-0 victory in the semifinal against Varsity from League1 BC, after Claudia Asselin doubled a lead created by Alexie Bellerose’s screamer in the first two minutes of the game. Sauve then scored the first of three Blainville goals in the final against PLSQ rivals AS Laval.

Laval’s goalkeeper Kelly Cantin shone at the semifinal stage by stepping up in the penalty shootout against League1 Ontario’s Alliance United, being a commanding presence between the sticks as well as scoring from the spot herself to help her side through to the trophy game. Chelsea Cheung and Miranda Badovinac of Alliance linked up beautifully to score the first goal of the tournament, and the former found the net in the Bronze Medal match to kickstart her side’s impressive comeback against Varsity after going two goals down. That third-place game ended with Alliance winning on penalties; their goalkeeper Gurleen Toor made a crucial save in the shootout and was named as the game’s MVP. Engaging weekend All four games were played to a high level and with intensity to match, resulting in a positive showcase for women’s soccer in Canada. The championship was aired in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Mexico and the Caribbean, providing great exposure to our League1 Canada women’s players. Another step forward League1 Ontario players Nadya Gill and Jessica Lisi were crucial members of OneSoccer’s broadcasts across the weekend, providing match analysis and building their own profiles in the game. Gill scored 17 goals in 17 appearances for North Mississauga this season in the L1O Women’s Premier Division, with Lisi just behind her on 14 regular -season goals for a Woodbridge Strikers side that made it to the playoffs. Reflecting on the tournament while on OneSoccer, Lisi said: “It’s awesome, it shows the talent that we have here in Canada and it really puts us on the map. “I know on the men’s side there’s also fantastic players, so it’s a great step forward for Canada soccer in general.” Championship-winning captain Sauve added: “It’s an opportunity for players to showcase their talent. Before that there was no opportunity to go on OneSoccer or live television. “It’s more than [being about] us and gives an opportunity to younger players to try and get to this league. Now they can say ‘I have an opportunity here to be able to continue and play’.”

League1 Canada off the mark This was the first event staged by League1 Canada after it was introduced to the soccer landscape five months ago, uniting L1O, L1BC and PLSQ under one countrywide umbrella. Dino Rossi, League1 Canada President, said: “The event was a big success; the quality of play on the field was very high and Blainville winning the title was justified over the two days – they were the strongest side.

“There were great goals and high-level coverage, and fans were the highlight in bringing the energy and lifting the sides. Could there be a professional women’s league in the future? Absolutely. “It’s dizzying if you take the time to step back and think about where we were compared to where we are, but I’m more excited about where we are going – and it’s only going to go up from here.”

What’s next?

The Women’s Inter-Provincial Championship will return in 2023 in British Columbia, and the details for first Men’s Inter-Provincial Championship will be finalised in the coming months.

MATCH REPORTS

AS LAVAL v ALLIANCE UNITED

Sabrina Santarossa scored the winning penalty for AS Laval, who edged past Alliance United 6-5 in a dramatic shootout and booked their place the inaugural Women’s Inter-Provincial Championship final. Alliance broke the deadlock in the 66th minute when Chelsea Cheung whipped in a perfect cross to Miranda Badovinac, who powered a header home from inside the area. With momentum in their favour, Alliance pressed for a second to put the match to bed. However, Laval substitute Sarah Feola pounced on a misplaced pass by Alliance goalkeeper Levanta Staggolis in the penalty area, giving the local side the equaliser with just seven minutes left in regulation time. Alliance United were dominant in possession throughout the match but struggled to penetrate Laval’s organised defense. The first half featured few chances on goal, although Badovinac came close to chipping Laval goalkeeper (and Match MVP) Kelly Cantin from range, and PLSQ top scorer Cassandra Provost shot wide in a rare attack from the hosting team. Early in the second half, Staggolis stepped up to deny Laval twice in quick succession and made a crucial save in the penalty shootout to keep her side in the tie. But Alliance hit the post in both the sixth and seventh round of penalties, allowing Santarossa’s clutch finish from the spot to send the local side through to Sunday’s Gold Medal match.

Match MVP Megane Sauve starred for AS Blainville as she captained her side to a 2-0 victory against Varsity, confirming their place against PLSQ rivals AS Laval in the Women’s Inter-Provincial Championship final.

It took just two minutes for the Quebec side to score, Alexie Bellerose driving forward with the ball and curling into the top corner from outside the area – much to the delight of a loud Blainville following in the stands.

Claudia Asselin then doubled the lead in the second half, reacting quickest to strike home after Varsity goalkeeper Sarah Johns spilled a Blainville corner kick. There was a 15-minute first-half delay for Varsity’s Jacqueline Tyrer to receive treatment after she dislocated her shoulder in a nasty collision in her own penalty box. But the game showed no signs of slowing down after the restart as Blainville dominated and set a high tempo. Varsity started the second half stronger with League1 BC top scorer Kat Tolnai joining the action from the substitute bench – she sent a half-volley from distance whistling just wide of Blainville’s goal. Despite Varsity’s best efforts to find a way back into the game, Blainville skipper Sauve led her side to an assertive victory, confirming an all-PLSQ Gold Medal match.

ALLIANCE UNITED v VARSITY

Alliance United claimed third place at the inaugural Inter-Provincial Championship after a stunning comeback at Complexe sportif Bois-deBoulogne in Laval on Sunday. The League1 Ontario representatives found themselves two goals down to Varsity Football Club after 26 minutes but fought back during regulation time to force kicks from the penalty mark, which they went on to win 4-1. League1 BC regular season champions Varsity started strongly and took a commanding lead through composed finishes from Jenna-Lee Baxter and Katalin Tolnai. First, Sophie Damian teed up Baxter to score the game’s opener after 13 minutes, finishing neatly from close range. Driving play down the left-hand side led to Tolnai doubling the advantage with an excellent finish that flashed across Gurleen Toor and into the bottom corner.

Two minutes before the break, Alliance United pulled a decisive goal back after good work from Jenny Wolever on the left flank had created the opportunity for Chelsea Cheung to tap in. There were further opportunities at both ends, either side of the halftime break, but both Toor and Sarah Johns made some big saves to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Alliance finally got the goal their efforts deserved on the hour mark when Madison Mariani lifted a left-footed freekick over the wall to tie the game. The teams continued to exchange chances, and Varsity enjoyed the bulk of the possession in the final phases of the game and was inches away from a dramatic winner in the 89th minute as a cross eluded Baxter on the far post and the game went to penalties. After Sophie Ferreira was denied, Hannah Chown struck home the allimportant winning spot kick as Alliance United edged a spirited game that was a great advert for the future of this competition. 21

AS Blainville lifted the inaugural Women’s Inter-Provincial Championship trophy on Sunday afternoon after a dominant display saw off AS Laval. Having beaten Varsity from League1 BC 2-0 in the semifinal to book their place, they went one better in the final against their PLSQ rivals at Complexe sportif Bois-deBoulogne. The game was not only enjoyed by a raucous crowd in Quebec but viewers across the country tuned in to watch the stream on OneSoccer as Blainville, who ended 2022 unbeaten across all competitions this season, put on a show. A driving run and finish from captain and Gold Medal match MVP Megane Sauve set them on their way after 30 minutes, and two quick-fire goals early in the second half secured their victory. First, Lorie Thibault hammered home a second to extend their lead, and a minute later, it was three, and the game was done. Blainville won the ball back from the kickoff and worked it through to substitute Audrey-Ann Cardinal, who found the back of the net to put the game beyond their courageous opponents. The victory completes a hat trick of titles this year for Blainville, who had already hoisted silverware for winning the PLSQ and the PLSQ League Cup, where they defeated Laval in the semifinals after pipping them to the league title by one point. The Blainvilloises will defend their title next year, when the men’s edition of this competition will also be launched.