Players from the UPEI?Panthers and the Laval Rouge et Or battle for the ball during quarter-final action Thursday at the Canadian Interuniversity men’s soccer championship in Langley, B.C. (Photo special to The Guardian by Janis Roxburgh of Trinity Western University Athletics)

LANGLEY, B.C. — Perhaps it was a matter of giving their opponents a little too much respect or maybe just a case of the pre-game jitters.

The UPEI Panthers came out a little tentative and fell behind 2-0 in the first half before losing 3-1 to the  Laval Rouge et Or in quarter-final action Thursday at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport men’s soccer championship.

UPEI?did rally in the second half, but it was not enough against the Quebec champions.

The Panthers will play Victoria in an consolation round game today at 2:30 p.m. AT, with the winner advancing to the fifth-place game on Saturday.

“They’re a good team, very good on the counter, UPEI head coach Lewis Page said of Laval. “That’s kind of how they got their goals from today. We were a little timid in the first half and maybe didn’t believe in ourselves enough. 

“We definitely turned that around in the second half. We created enough chances to not only to tie the game but win it in the second half. We’ll just have to take that into our next game.”

It was a beautiful sunny fall morning Thursday in Langley with excellent field conditions. 

The Panthers were forced to make adjustments up front as a result of Jimmie Mayaleh having to sit the game due to a suspension. 

Striker Danny McAleer moved to the front with Nathan Snowie sealing in behind. 

Laval showed good ball movement in the first half and was rewarded with goals in the 38th and during stoppage time in the first half, both on bang-bang plays that gave Panther keeper Timma Kalinowski no chance.  

After the break, UPEI played inspired soccer and it paid off when Kalinowski earned an assist off a huge punt that McAleer brought down, fought to get in past the Laval defence and let go a low 20-yard shot past the oncoming Laval keeper, just inside the far post. 

It was game on for the next 15 minutes or so as the Panthers pressed the Laval back line, which was forced to just kick the ball away.  

However, Laval fought back in spurts and then in the 80th minute a final goal in under Kalinowski’s crossbar sealed the game for the Rouge et Or.

Shots at goal were 13 apiece with the Panthers outchancing Laval 6-5. 

Laval outfouled the Panthers 23-13, picking up four yellow cards in the process. 

Laval had the edge in corners, 8-3.  

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