BANGKOK — Canada won its fifth gold medal of the World University Games in dramatic fashion.
Down 4-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Canadian women's softball team scored five runs to defeat Taiwan 5-4 in the championship game Friday.
Canada remained 12th in the overall medal standings with 14 — five gold, two silver and seven bronze. Canadian athletes won 12 medals (3-6-3) two years ago in Turkey.
Heading into Saturday, the final day of competition, China was first with 82 medals (30-26-26). Ukraine was second with 66 (28-20-18) while Russia was third with 90 (27-27-36). Medal standings are based on number of golds.
Noemie Marie of Acton-Vale, Que., hit a two-run double to secure the softball win for Canada.
"I knew the ball was dropping and I was scoring," said Jen Salling of Port Coquitlam, B.C., who was on base for Marie's hit. "Coach Sippel wasn't going to stop me (at third) and with no outs it was worth going for the run."
Canada gave up three runs in the first inning as Taiwan came out swinging early, a different strategy than the team had used in its two previous losses to Canada.
"(Taiwan) came in and changed their philosophy to first-pitch swingers, which they didn't do all week," said Canadian coach Lori Sippel. "I have to tip my hat to them, they executed their game plan excellently."
Prior to the final inning, Canada had only six hits and had stranded six base-runners.
It's Canada's third medal of the season after the team won a silver at the Pan American Games in Brazil and a bronze at the World Cup.
"For us, it has been a year that has had three podiums, three medals and we're feeling sweet to finally have the gold one," said Sippel "It was an incredible finish."
Meantime, Canada finished a best-ever fourth in the men's soccer tournament after losing to Thailand on penalty kicks in the bronze-medal game. The two teams were tied 1-1 heading into the penalty shootout, which Thailand won 5-3.
"The boys can walk away with their heads held so high," said Canadian head coach Pat Raimondo of the University of Montreal. "They showed a lot of character and pride in what they do."
Defender Luca Bellisomo scored Canada's lone goal and also scored in the penalty shootout.
"Our goal was to make top eight, so finishing fourth was beyond our expectations," said Bellisomo. "I wouldn't say we were one of the best technical teams here, but in terms of our desire and our heart, we're the top team and we showed that. Two close losses but everybody is really proud of fourth place."
By finishing in the top eight, Canada automatically qualified for the 2009 University Games in Serbia.
In other events Friday:
— Roseline Filion of Laval, Que., finished fourth in 10-metre platform 325.75 points.
Despite missing out on a medal, Filion was happy with her final performance of this season.
"It started off very well," said Filion. "I was very consistent. My fourth dive was one I usually have many problems with, but it wasn't so bad."
China's Lishi Lao dominated the competition, finishing first with 388.00 points.
On the men's side, Edmonton's Eric Sehn finished 10th in the three-metre springboard then finished eighth with partner Reuben Ross of Regina in the three-metre synchro event.
— Canada finished seventh in women's basketball after a 67-50 win over Turkey in a placement game. UBC's Erica McGuinness led Canada with 13 points. Australia won the gold, defeating Russia 85-65.
— Canada finished 12th in the men's team golf competition while the women were 13th.
— The Canadian women's soccer team lost 3-1 to Japan to finish 10th.
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