On to the semifinals. (Image Credit: Alessandro Boggio/Thymos Capture)
Carabins jettisoned

TRU WolfPack shocks U Sports Women’s Soccer Championship, advances to semifinal round

Nov 12, 2026 | 4:42 PM

VANCOUVER — The TRU WolfPack shocked the Canadian soccer world on Thursday (Nov. 12) in Vancouver.


No. 7-ranked TRU knocked off the No. 2 Montréal Carabins 1-0 in a U Sports Women’s Soccer Championship quarter-final matchup at Thunderbird Stadium.

Albanian danger woman Esi Lufo scored in the 87th minute, the header off a wonderfully weighted cross from speedy Finnish winger Sara Kuusimäki.

TRU defended vigorously for most of the match, absorbing pressure and relying on first-team U Sports All-Canadian goalkeeper Floor Ursem to tidy up when the Quebec side threatened.

Dutch backstop Ursem made several outstanding saves and was named the player of the match.

The WolfPack will play for a national medal on Sunday. Whether they play for gold or bronze will be determined on Friday. TRU will square off against No. 6 Trinity Western on Friday in semifinal action, with game time scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver.

Trinity edged No. 3 Ottawa 3-2 on Thursday.

Two more quarter-final matches will be played on Thursday – No. 4 Guelph vs. No. 5 Dalhousie and No. 1 UBC vs. No. 8 Laval.