SYDNEY, N.S. — The Cape Breton Capers men’s soccer team is no stranger to playing on the national stage.
The Capers have participated in the past four U Sports national championship tournaments and have reached the final in back-to-back years in 2017 and 2018.
Cape Breton has played the Montreal Carabins in the past two national finals. The Capers lost in the championship game last year, but defeated the Quebec-based club in the 2017 finals, capturing Cape Breton University’s first-ever men’s soccer national championship.
The Sydney-based club will return to the national championship tournament this week when the Carabins host the event at CEPSUM Stadium in Montreal.
Cape Breton will open the eight-team tournament with a quarter-final match against the Calgary Dinos, who are making their first appearance in the championship tournament today. Game time is 5 p.m. Atlantic time.
The Capers secured their spot in the national tournament after knocking off the Saint Mary’s Huskies 2-0 in the Atlantic University Sport semifinal game at the Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex turf in Sydney last Friday.
In the championship game, Cape Breton blanked the St. Francis Xavier X-Men 2-0 in overtime to claim their fourth consecutive AUS league title in front of their hometown crowd.
Joining the Capers and Dinos in the tournament are the host Carabins, St. Francis Xavier X-Men of Antigonish, Carleton Ravens of Ottawa, UQTR of Trois-Rivières, Que., UBC Thunderbirds of Vancouver, and York Lions of Toronto.
Cape Breton finished first overall in the AUS standings with an undefeated 10-0-2 regular season record.
Meanwhile, Calgary wrapped up the regular season in third place in the Prairie Conference of the Canada West Universities Athletic Association with a 7-6-1 record.
The Dinos advanced to the national final as Canada West’s second representative after losing in the league final, 2-0, to UBC last Saturday.
Cape Breton is led offensively by Charlie Waters, who missed last year’s national championship with an injury, with 10 goals and 6 assists for 16 points. Cory Bent (6 goals, 3 assists, 9 points) and Caelan Budhoo (6 goals, 2 assists, 8 points) round out the top three.
As for Calgary, the team is powered by Dominik Zuczek with five goals, followed by Derek Brust (3 goals and 2 assists) and Decklin Mahmi (2 goals and 1 assist).
In other quarter-final action, St. Francis Xavier will play Carleton, while UBC faces UQTR, and the host Montreal will challenge York.
The tournament semifinals are slated for 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. respectively on Friday, while the bronze medal and championship matches will be played Sunday at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Atlantic Time.
HOW THE TEAMS MATCH UP:
2019 U Sports Men’s Soccer Championship, Montreal, Que.
Thursday, Nov. 7
Cape Breton Capers vs. Calgary Dinos
CAPE BRETON:
- Record: 10-0-2, 32 Points
- Standings: First overall in the Atlantic University Sport and AUS champions
- Goals For: 35
- Goals Against: 9
- Streak: 2-0 (playoffs included)
- Top Scorers: Charlie Waters (10 goals, 6 assists, 16 points), Cory Bent (6 goals, 3 assists, 9 points) and Caelan Budhoo (6 goals, 2 assists, 8 points)
CALGARY:
- Record: 7-6-1, 22 Points
- Standings: Third overall in the Prairie Conference of the Canada West Universities Athletic Association and Canada West runner-up
- Goals For: 20
- Goals Against: 25
- Streak: 0-1 (playoffs included)
- Top Scorers: Dominik Zuczek (5 goals, 0 assists, 5 points), Derek Brust (3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points) and Decklin Mahmi (2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points)
Related Links:
- Schaale scores overtime winner to power Cape Breton Capers to fourth straight AUS men's title
Twitter: @CBPost_Jeremy
