Pilots on Cruise Control

The Futsal community is alive and well in Manitoba – and if you don’t believe it, then you must not have been at Canadian Mennonite University on Sunday for the 2015 MCAC Futsal Championships.

In front of a raucous crowd, the Providence Pilots women’s team defended their 2014 title with an 8-7 win against Red River, followed by the home team CMU Blazers satisfying their fans with an emotional 6-4 victory against Université de Saint-Boniface.

Back-and-fourth would be the best way to describe the women’s final between Providence and Red River College. The first half of play saw seven goals scored, capped off by a nifty move from Megan-Rae Castro in front to put the Rebels up 4-3 going into the second half.

It was in the second where the Pilots really started clicking, but not before Elizabeth Codville potted one in tight to extend the lead to 5-3. From there, Providence knew they needed to turn things around quick, and that’s when Jessica Gzebb and Tournament MVP Julika Kehler came alive. Feeding on the chemistry they’ve had all season, Gzebb scored the final three goals for Providence, two of which were orchestrated by some incredible passing by Kehler.

The dynamic duo’s play in the second half was perhaps the difference, as Providence found their first lead of the game at 7-6. The Pilots never turned back, with Providence outlasting the Rebels in this thriller of a game to bring home their second straight MCAC Futsal Championship. Leading the way in scoring for Providence was Gzebb with four goals and Kehler with two, while Castro and Codville both had a pair for the Rebels.

Results:

Women’s Final – 2:00 p.m.

Providence University College vs Red River College

Providence University College wins 8-7