DALIAN, China – The Laval Rouge et Or women’s soccer team opened the 2025 FISU World University Cup with a gritty 1-1 draw against the defending champions Beijing Normal University on Wednesday at the Dalian Sports Centre.
The Chinese squad controlled much of the match’s tempo, applying consistent offensive pressure and outshooting the Canadian side 21-16. Laval’s defence, anchored by a stellar performance from goalkeeper Anne-Gabrielle Pouliot, who made six saves, held firm against numerous attacks. Beijing Normal finally broke through in the 62nd minute when substitute Yulin Ma pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired it home for the opening goal.
Refusing to surrender, the Rouge et Or fought back and found the equalizer late. In the 87th minute, substitute Emmanuelle Collin received the ball in the box and laid it off for Mathilde Beaudry, who slotted a shot into the net from close range. Both teams pushed for a winner in a frantic final few minutes, but the defences held, resulting in a share of the spoils.
The draw leaves both teams with an 0-0-1 record in group stage play. Laval’s next test is a crucial match against the University of Sydney (Australia) on Friday at 7 p.m. local time (7 a.m. Eastern).
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STANDINGS
| Group A | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Dif | Pts |
| Sydney (AUS) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 |
| Laval (CAN) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Beijing Normal (CHN) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Hauts-de-France Poly. (FRA) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 |
| Group B | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Dif | Pts |
| Shanghai Univ. of Sport (CHN) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 3 |
| Extreme South of Santa Catarina (BRA) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Valencia (ESP) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
SCHEDULE (shown in Eastern time)
Group A
Match Day 1
Sydney 3 Hauts de France Poly 2 (Tuesday)
Laval 1 Beijing Normal 1 (Wednesday)
Match Day 2 – Friday
Hauts de France Poly vs. Beijing Normal
Laval vs. Sydney
(Both games at 7 a.m.)
Match Day 3 – Sunday
Beijing Normal vs. Sydney
Hauts-de-France Poly vs. Laval
(Both games at 2 a.m.)
Knockout Round
Wednesday, Sept. 24
-5th place game (3rd Group A vs. 3rd Group B), 11:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 25
– Semifinals, 2 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 26
– Bronze medal, 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27
– World Cup Final, 3:30 a.m.