Capers edge Huskies 1-0 in rematch of 2021 AUS Final

By Corey LeBlanc / SYDNEY, NS

The U SPORTS #1-ranked Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (1-0-1) scored a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the visiting Saint Mary's Huskies (1-1-0) in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) men's soccer action on Sunday afternoon at Ness Timmons Field.

First-year midfielder Jacob Spizzirri (Woodbridge, ON) – the Subway player of the game – scored the game-winning – and lone – goal of the match in the 76^th minute.

Caper captain Jamie Watson (Kirkcaldy, Scotland) sent a long ball into the Saint Mary's zone, one that Spizzirri battled for possession with Huskies' captain Adam Dunsworth (Halifax, NS), who fell to the turf. Spizzirri broke free and deposited a low shot inside the far post behind Jensen Brown (Enfield, NS).

Just seconds following the resumption of play, Saint Mary's forward Sean Freeman (Halifax, NS) was fouled in the box. On the ensuing penalty kick, the veteran missed the net with his attempt to place a low shot inside the near post.

In the final minutes, the Capers were able to thwart any Saint Mary's push for the equalizer.

In a scoreless opening half – a defensive and, at times, physical one – the sides were challenged to create any sort of offensive push in their opponent's end of the field.

Woody Bain (Dartmouth, NS) collected the first chance of the match – off a corner kick – but the CBU defense prevented any quality opportunity against goalkeeper Daniel Clarke (Milton Keyes, England).

The first Caper dangerous foray offensively came off some hard work by Spizzirri and veteran forward Cian Lynch (Dublin, Ireland), but they just missed connecting on a close-in shot attempt versus Brown.

Both teams had free and corner-kick opportunities, but they couldn't get on the scoresheet.

In the 36^th minute, Freeman wrestled free from a pair of CBU defenders, but his left-footed floater over the head of Clarke landed on top of the net and out of bounds.

Owen Sheppard (St. John's, NL) made a nice rush in the 40^th minute, but his crossing attempt was deflected out of bounds by the rock-solid Saint Mary's back line.

In the final minute before halftime, the Huskies had a free kick that led to a corner kick, but the visitors were unable to threaten Clarke and his defenders.

Both teams will return to action Saturday, Sept. 17, with the Huskies travelling to Charlottetown to face the UPEI Panthers – in a 3:15 p.m. start – while the Capers will head to St. John's for a pair of weekend match-ups with the Memorial Sea-Hawks.

Kick-off for the Caper-Sea-Hawk match-up is 3:15 p.m. NDT (2:45 p.m. ADT).