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TORONTO (CIS) – Rookie midfielder Claudia Piazza of Brampton, Ont., notched the game-winner in the 86^th minute to lead the host Toronto Varsity Blues to a 2-1 victory over the Laurier Golden Hawks in the second consolation semifinal on Day 2 of the 2013 CIS women's soccer championship at Varsity Centre.
 
The Blues advanced to the fifth-place game for the second time in as many appearances at the CIS tournament. U of T defeated UPEI to claim the consolation prize at the 2009 championship. They will take on the Laval Rouge et Or, who topped the Western Mustangs 2-0 earlier in the day, on Sunday at 11 a.m.
 
It was the first time the two teams had met at the CIS tournament and also only the second time Toronto has defeated Laurier in 10 meetings since their first match in 1985.
 
"I thought we came out with a purpose today," said Varsity Blues head coach Anthony Capotosto. "After yesterday's loss we were kind of deflated but kudos to the team for picking it up and showing that we are one of the best programs in the country."
 
"Sunday will be a great match-up," continued Capotosto. "We're excited. Our goal after yesterday is to finish fifth and we're in a position to do that now."
 
Fifth-year defender and CIS second team all-Canadian Diana Esteireiro of Etobicoke, Ont., opened the scoring in the 14^th minute, firing a rocket off a free kick into the top right corner of the net.
 
OUA all-star midfielder Julie Maheu of Oakville, Ont., evened the score in the 33^rd minute as she received a pass from Emily Brown (Waterloo, Ont.) and booted the ball past Blues goalkeeper Sara Petrucci (Bolton, Ont.).
 
The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 at the half.
 
Both teams had great chances to score in the second half but Piazza was the only successful candidate. She received a pass in the 86^th minute from fellow rookie Nicki Parkes (Sarnia, Ont.) and made no mistake in finding the back of the net.
 
The OUA champion Golden Hawks end their season with a 12-5-4 record and end the national championship with an 0-2 record for the third consecutive year.
 
"I think that they all came out and competed and they did very well," said Hawks head coach Barry MacLean. "We're a pretty banged up team and the roster has really shrunk down to a few players. Even from the last game, Jess Craig and Suzanne Boroumand weren't available today. It was tough, but they've had a great season."
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
TOR 1-1: 2
WLU 1-0: 1


First Half
1. TOR Diana Esteireiro (1) (unassisted), 14^th
2. WLU Julie Maheu (1) (Emily Brown), 33^rd  
 
Second Half
1.TOR Claudia Piazza (1) (Nicki Parkes), 86^th
 
Goalkeepers:
TOR: Sara Petrucci (W, 1 GA, 3 saves, 90:00, 1-1)
WLU: Maggie Carmichael (L, 2 GA, 3 saves, 90:00, 0-1)
 
Team Stats
Shots: TOR 14, WLU 9
Shots on net: TOR 5, WLU 4
Corners: TOR 3, WLU 2
Offsides: TOR 2, WLU 1
Fouls: TOR 9, WLU 10
Yellow cards: TOR (Claudia Piazza), WLU (Taryn Bernier, Emily Brown)
Red cards: none


Players of the game:
TOR: Claudia Piazza
WLU: Julia Maheu
 
SCHEDULE & RESULTS

Thursday, Nov. 7
11:00 Quarter-final 1: Montreal 2, Western 1
13:30 Quarter-final 2: Alberta 1, Laval 0
16:30 Quarter-final 3: Trinity Western 3, Wilfrid Laurier 0
19:00 Quarter-final 4: Cape Breton 1, Toronto 0

Friday, Nov. 8
13:30 Consolation 1: Laval 2, Western 0
16:30 Consolation 2: Toronto 2, Wilfrid Laurier 1


Saturday, Nov. 9
13:30 Semifinal 1: Montreal vs. Alberta (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
16:30 Semifinal 2: Trinity Western vs. Cape Breton (www.CIS-SIC.tv)

Sunday, Nov. 10
11:00 5^th-place game: Laval vs Toronto (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
13:30 Bronze medal (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
16:30 Championship final (www.CIS-SIC.tv)
 
About Canadian Interuniversity Sport
 
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For more information:
 
Michel Bélanger        
Manager, Communications & Media Relations
Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Off: (613) 562-5670 ext. 25
Cell: (613) 447-6334
belanger@universitysport.ca
www.cis-sic.ca
 
Jill Clark
Sports Information
University of Toronto
Off: (416) 978-4263
Cell: (416) 938-1620
jill.clark@utoronto.ca