Alliance United claimed third place at the inaugural Inter-Provincial Championship after a stunning comeback at Complexe sportif Bois-de-Boulogne in Laval on Sunday. The League1 Ontario representatives found themselves two goals down to Varsity Football Club after 26 minutes but fought back during regulation time to force kicks from the penalty mark, which they went on to win 4-1.

League1 BC regular season champions Varsity started strongly and took a commanding lead through composed finishes from Jenna-Lee Baxter and Katalin Tolnai. First, Sophie Damian teed up Baxter to score the game’s opener after 13 minutes, finishing neatly from close range. Driving play down the left-hand side led to Tolnai doubling the advantage with an excellent finish that flashed across Gurleen Toor and into the bottom corner.

Two minutes before the break, Alliance United pulled a decisive goal back after good work from Jenny Wolever on the left flank had created the opportunity for Chelsea Cheung to tap in.

There were further opportunities at both ends, either side of the halftime break, but both Toor and Sarah Johns made some big saves to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Alliance finally got the goal their efforts deserved on the hour mark when Madison Mariani lifted a left-footed freekick over the wall to tie the game.

The teams continued to exchange chances, and Varsity enjoyed the bulk of the possession in the final phases of the game and was inches away from a dramatic winner in the 89th minute as a cross eluded Baxter on the far post and the game went to penalties.

After Sophie Ferreira was denied, Hannah Chown struck home the all-important winning spot kick as Alliance United edged a spirited game that was a great advert for the future of this competition.