Time and travel not kind to Laval Comètes

The Americans, who went unbeaten in regular-season play, winning 13 and tying one, were full measure for their victory with an attack that produced 28 shots at the Laval net, with the Comèetes replying with only 5 of their own, all of them turned back by Lionesses goalkeeper Kristin "Lucky" Luckenbill.

The Comètes had reached the semi-finals with a win over the Toronto Lady Lynx two days earlier.

"They didn't scare us, but one has to be realistic. The task was too arduous. We made some youthful mistakes, with lots of balls lost at midfield, but the bottom line is that I'm very proud of these players and the way they performed. To have reached this far in the Championship Tournament was the result of a concentrated effort. Just to be here was celebration enough," confided Comètes head coach Mohamed Hilen, in his down-to-earth summation of his team's season.

Hilen added that the Indianapolis side is top level in North American Women's Soccer, counting on its roster a bevy of international players from Mexico, Spain and even Quebec.

Indianapolis took the lead early, scoring three times before the 25th minute. Gagné's goal, on a penalty shot, was as close as the Comètes would come in the second half (55th minute), at 3-1, before Kelly Parker and Veronica Phewa put the game out of reach.

The Comètes seemed to run out of steam, what with having to play their 5th game in 10 days, all on the road, while facing an opponent with a week's rest.

"We're looking forward to next year," says coach Hilen, anticipating some realignment and other modifications to improve the competitive aspect of the USL/W-League.

Photo:AngAnd.jpg

(Photo: Martin Alarie)