CBU defeats UPEI 5-1 in AUS men’s soccer action

SYDNEY, NS—The Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (6-0-1) scored a decisive 5-1 victory over the visiting UPEI Panthers (1-4-3) in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) action Friday evening on home turf at Ness Timmons Field.

The Capers – ranked third in the USPORTS top-10 – came out strongly in the first half, but they came up empty on a couple of early scoring opportunities, including a corner kick in the second minute. 

In the eighth minute, the Panthers garnered their first offensive chance, but they could not wipe the zero off the scoreboard. 

The home side opened the scoring in the 14th minute, when Andre Beecher (Brampton, ON) headed a Max Piepgrass (Calgary, AB) free kick into the net behind the outstretched left arm of UPEI keeper Isaac Wolters (Springvale, PE). 

On a penalty kick, in the 20th minute, forward Owen Sheppard (St. John's, NL) made no mistake to make it 2-0. 

First-year Caper Nikolai Scheurenbrand (Nebrigen, DE) was a key contributor to both CBU goals; he drew both fouls that led to the free and penalty kicks. 

The Capers led 2-0 at halftime. 

In the second half, off a strong counter attack by the Capers, Sheppard made a run to the top of the box before ripping a strike behind Wolters to provide them with a three-goal cushion. 

With CBU seemingly in full control of the contest, UPEI took advantage of a corner kick, with Jonathan MacKenzie (Charlottetown, PE) beating Clarke with a header to make it 3-1. 

Moments later, off a deflection of a Salem Farag (Charlottetown, PE) cross, the Panthers almost sliced the deficit to one, but Clarke was able to corral the redirection. 

With UPEI continuing its comeback push, Sheppard deposited a header from a Cameron Kilbride (Blackpool, England) cross just inside the far goal post behind Wolters in the 83rd minute. 

Only one minute later, Kieran Maddock (Camlachie, ON), completed a give-and-go with Daniel Stolar (Mississauga, ON) to make it 5-1 for the Capers. It was the first career AUS goal for the varsity player. 

Sheppard was the Chartwells player of the match, while MacKenzie was the top performer for the Panthers. 

The Capers will be back in action on Saturday, when the welcome the Mount Allison Mounties to Ness Timmons Field, while the Panthers will visit Antigonish to face the STFX X-Men. Kick-off for both matches is 7:15 p.m. ADT.

RECAP BY: Corey LeBlanc, CBU Sports Information / PHOTOS BY: Vaughan Merchant