Cape Breton, NS – One Thursday, the Carleton Ravens once again found themselves locked in a penalty shootout with the Montréal Carabins, and once again, just as they did in the 2021 National Gold Medal Game, it was Montréal walking away victorious 5-4 in penalties after a 1-1 game.
The Ravens entered the afternoon the third seed in the tournament thanks to an OUA championship victory the previous weekend. The Montréal Carabins entered sixth after falling in the RSEQ championship game to UQTR.
These two teams both entered with history, though. It was two years ago at TAAG Park in Carleton that the Ravens and Carabins battled for 120 minutes in the 2021 national gold medal game. That game saw both Daniel Assaf tie the score at 2-2 with four seconds left on the clock in extra time before Guy-Franke Essomé Penda won it in penalties for Montréal to give the Carabins their second national title.
This game was not going to be any easier. In the 33rd minute Quentin Paumier took the ball in the box and buried it past Tyler David to give the Carabins the 1-0 lead that they held through half time.
Into the second half Carleton looked for answers. Finally in the 59th minute it was Assaf who found a looping ball off of a Luca Piccioli free kick and buried it by Olivier Rouleau who had come into the game a few minutes prior after a red card was handed out to Montréal keeper Jordan Tisseur.
The score stayed 1-1 across the next 30 minutes of regulation play and 30 minutes of extra time meaning once again the Ravens and Carabins were off to penalty kicks. The Ravens had their chance to win, as with both teams tied at 3-3 heading into the fifth round. Adam Benmoussa missed for Montréal giving Tareq Hamad a chance to win for Carleton but he wired it over the bar.
After both sides scored in round six, Olivier Dianson buried it for Montréal but Yusuf Osman sent it right into the chest of a diving Rouleau, giving Montréal the win and ending Carleton’s dream of finally hoisting a national title.
Both teams now await the result of the second semifinal in their half of the bracket as the Ravens will play the loser of StFX and UBC in the consolation bracket while the Carabins will play the winner.
All games are viewable on CBC Sports.