Capers open AUS men’s soccer regular season with victory over Huskies
Huskies open AUS men’s soccer regular season with victory over Capers
Capers open AUS men's soccer regular season with victory over Huskies
Huskies open AUS men's soccer regular season with victory over Capers
By Corey LeBlanc
Sydney, N.S. – The Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (1-0-0) kicked off the 2021 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) men's soccer regular season with a thrilling come-from-behind 2-1 home victory over the Saint Mary's Huskies on Saturday afternoon at the CBHRC Field on the CBU campus.
After Cian Lynch (Dublin, Ireland) tallied what turned out to be the game-winning goal late in the 78th minute, first-year Caper keeper Daniel Clarke (Milton Keyes, UK) preserved the win with a pair of quality saves, including one while diving to his left to deflect away a penalty shot from Neil Spires (Hubley, N.S.) in the final seconds.
Clarke was put in the spotlight after he was called for a foul on a challenge against Adam Dunsworth (Halifax, N.S.) in the 18-yard box off a Saint Mary's free kick.
Trailing 1-0 at halftime, another newcomer to the CBU roster – Kairo Coore (Whitby, ON) – notched the equalizer in the 62ndminute. The dynamic forward headed in a rebound off a Charlie Waters (Blackpool, UK) free kick that rang off the cross bar. The set-piece opportunity came after a hand ball call against the Huskies.
Waters also started the play on Lynch's goal with a great run and feed that his teammate redirected home off the goal post. Lynch, who was a scoring threat throughout the match, was finally rewarded for his offensive effort.
In the opening half, the first quality scoring chance for either side came off a three-way play; Carson Larabie (Ajax, ON) found Daniel Williams (Pierrefonds, QC) with a lead pass, who then crossed to Coore, but Huskies' keeper Jensen Brown (Enfield, N.S.) – who was razor sharp – made a great save to keep it scoreless in the 12th minute.
A couple minutes later, Coore and Waters combined for a scoring opportunity, but Brown – once again – stepped up.
After a strong start defensively, the Huskies opened the scoring on their first prime opportunity. In the 25th minute, Sumit Malik (Dartmouth, N.S.) finished a three-way passing play, with Clarke having no chance to make a stop. Ben Kloppenburg (Halifax, N.S.) collected the assist.
Brown and his Saint Mary's defenders continued to stymie the Caper attack for the rest of the half, including an effort from Lynch, who took a pass from Williams before ripping a low blast. The Huskies' keeper dove to his left and deflected the ball into touch with his outstretched hand.
Late in the first 45 minutes, Williams got behind the defense, but Brown made a sliding save on his shot attempt.
Waters was named the Subway player of the game.
The Huskies will return to action Sunday, Sept. 12, when they face the STFX X-Women at StFX Stadium in Antigonish, while the Capers will be back on the pitch on Saturday, Sept. 18 against the UNB Reds at Willie O'Ree Place Complex in Fredericton.
Kickoff for both matches is 3:15 p.m.
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