Next Game:
vs. U SPORTS**
11/12/2026 | (TBC)
Nov. 12 (Thu) / (TBC)
vs. U SPORTS**
(VERSION FRANÇAISE SUIT)
MONTREAL — Newly-minted RSEQ rookie of the year Nicholas Minchillo converted a penalty kick in the 59th minute and all-star goalkeeper Ludovyck Ciociola made 13 saves as the McGill Redbirds rallied to defeat the UQTR Patriotes 2-1 in a men’s soccer semifinal Thursday at Percival Molson Stadium.
The victory propelled second-seeded McGill into next week’s Quebec conference championship game against the winner of Friday’s semifinal between fourth-seeded Laval and the top-ranked Montreal Carabins. The last time that the Redbirds reach the final was 2024, a 2-1 loss to the Montreal Carabins; and the last Quebec title won by the team was in 2002.
McGill overcame a 1-0 deficit, with Maher Fares scoring late in the opening half before Minchillo delivered the winner. The Redbirds then protected their narrow advantage despite playing the final 17 minutes, plus added time, with 10 men following the ejection of defender Romain Dallery, who was shown two yellow cards after sprinting for a loose ball and stepping on a UQTR player’s foot.
The result improved McGill’s all-time playoff record against UQTR to 6-2 in eight meetings since 1992. It also marked the Redbirds’ second consecutive post-season victory over the Patriotes, following a 2-1 overtime triumph in 2024.
UQTR struck first at 22:27 when Yanis Abaiche converted a setup from Anthony Boutros to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
The Patriotes controlled much of the opening half, generating 14 attempted shots to McGill’s six. They nearly doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute when Xavier O’Dwyer struck the crossbar with a header.
“We were lacking intensity,” admitted McGill bench boss Marc Mounicot, who was announced just before the game as the conference’s coach of the year. “They were more ready than us to play. But in the second half, we changed totally.”
Ciociola kept McGill within striking distance, repeatedly turning aside UQTR scoring opportunities before the Redbirds finally broke through in the dying moments of the half.
Fares pounced on a scoring opportunity at the 44-minute mark to draw McGill even at 1-1, sending the teams into halftime on equal terms.
Mounicot said the equalizer provided a much-needed momentum boost.
“After that, whatever happened, this team was ready to play,” he said. “They’re young, but full of enthusiasm.”
The coach also credited halftime adjustments and the introduction of substitutes Samy Rzig and Lefika Noko with helping turn the momentum.
“We put Lefika up front to bring us some speed and skill,” Mounicot said. “I think they both made a difference.”
McGill took the lead at 58:20 when Minchillo stepped to the penalty spot and converted to make it 2-1. The goal ultimately stood as the winner.
The 5-foot-6, 139-pound midfielder from Laval, Que., showed remarkable composure under pressure.
“I was never worried,” said the 21-year-old physical education freshman when asked whether he was nervous. “It was just a question of staying cool, calm and slotting it.”
Minchillo revealed that McGill had no designated penalty taker for the occasion. Several players were prepared to take the shot, and the decision was made on the spot.
“We were three guys who were prepared, who knew we were capable of putting it in the back of the net,” he said. “It was really decided on the spot.”
Mounicot praised the confidence and potential of his young midfielder, who has emerged as one of the conference’s most promising players.
“For a young kid, he has all the tools to be a superstar in this league,” the coach said.
Minchillo, who tallied five goalsin 11 regular season contests, tied for the second highest total in the league, credited his teammates for helping him make an immediate impact in his first university season.
“I just want to give a special shout-out to my teammates because we were a lot of rookies this year,” he said. “I don’t win rookie of the year without all of them. It was really a team effort.”
The Patriotes pressed relentlessly for the equalizer, forcing Ciociola into several saves during a sustained second-half attack.
McGill’s task became considerably more difficult when Dallery was shown a yellow card at 73:14 and a red card one second later, leaving the Redbirds a man short for the remainder of the contest.
Mounicot questioned the severity of the decision, describing the red card as “very, very harsh.” The ejection carries an automatic suspension for the RSEQ championship game.
“We’ll manage,” Mounicot said.
UQTR continued to push forward, but Ciociola stood firm. He stopped Jacob Boisvert and Mouhamed Ndiaye on separate attempts in the dying moments to preserve the victory.
The fifth-year goalkeeper from Montreal finished with 13 saves, including eight after halftime, in one of his busiest outings of the season.
“A special mention to my keeper,” Mounicot said. “My keeper was amazing. He’s been amazing for a long while.”
The Patriotes held a commanding 25-12 advantage in attempted shots and a 14-6 edge in shots on goal. The teams finished even with three corner kicks apiece. UQTR goalkeeper Shems Lidam made four saves in a losing cause.
The physical contest featured five yellow cards and one red. Amos Kalonga Ndaye, Mouhamed Ndiaye and Boutros were cautioned for UQTR, while Dallery and Pacome Sordet received yellows for McGill. Dallery was subsequently ejected.
McGill now awaits its opponent in the RSEQ championship game, with a berth in the U SPORTS Final Eight at stake. The national tournament will be held in Victoria, B.C.
Should Laval upset Montreal in Friday’s semifinal, the Carabins would still qualify for nationals as RSEQ regular-season champions, while the winner of the McGill-Laval championship game would claim the conference’s other berth.
If Montreal defeats Laval, the Carabins and Redbirds would meet in the Quebec final, with both teams assured of advancing to the national championship.
With eight days between the semifinal and championship game, Mounicot said the extra recovery time would benefit his squad.
“I’m giving them four days off because they deserve the rest,” he said.
Minchillo said the Redbirds would be watching Friday’s semifinal closely, knowing a Montreal victory would secure McGill’s place at nationals.
“I think we’re all going to be glued to our seats watching that one,” he said.
REDBIRDS NOTES: McGill has a 6-2 record in eight playoff meetings with UQTR since 1992… The Redbirds have also faced Montreal eight times in the RSEQ playoffs, posting a 3-5 record. The Carabins have won the last five post-season encounters since McGill’s 2-0 semifinal victory in 2009… Laval holds a 4-0 advantage in playoff meetings with McGill, most recently defeating the Redbirds 3-0 in the 2009 Quebec conference championship game.
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SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
CELL: 514-983-7012
E-MAIL:earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca