CBU scores 3-0 win over Moncton in AUS men’s soccer
By Corey LeBlanc
Sydney – The Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (2-0) scored a 3-0 victory over the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus (0-2) in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) men's soccer action on Sunday afternoon at Ness Timmons Soccer Field.
From the opening whistle, the home side focussed on ball possession – spending plenty of time in the Moncton end of the field in front of freshman keeper Matteo Blanc (Flavin, France).
It didn't take long for last season's top rookie in the conference to make an impression in his opening minutes of the 2023 regular season. After making a great run down the wing, midfielder Jacob Spizzirri (Woodbridge, ON) stay in bounds while tight-roping along the end line before finding midfielder Cameron Kilbride (Blackpool, England), who poked a strike behind Blanc to make it 1-0 in the fourth minute.
As the half continued, the Capers maintained the lion's share of ball possession, which led to a pair of free kicks, but they came up empty.
In the 32nd minute, on the second of consecutive corner kicks, Ben Fortuin (Maidenhead, England) was left alone on the back post, but his header sailed over the net.
A few moments later, on a defensive stand by Moncton, they unfortunately put a clearing header into their net to give the Capers a 2-0 edge in the 35th minute.
Sophomore striker Robert Kamano (Moncton, NB) collected the best scoring chance of the half for Moncton, when he directed a cross on goal, but Daniel Clarke (Milton Keynes, England) was able to make a diving save.
CBU led 2-0 heading to the locker room.
In the second half, Moncton collected a pair of corner kicks in the first 10 minutes, but they came up with zero scoring chances.
In the 64th minute, Kamano had another chance to cut the Caper lead in half, when he lofted a volley over the head of Clarke, but it bounded out of bounce just outside the right post.
After Amadou Bayo (Montreal, QC) was hauled down in the penalty area, in the 70th minute, the Capers were awarded a penalty kick. Owen Sheppard (St. John's, NL) stepped up to the line and laced a shot into the top corner behind Blanc to make it 3-0.
On the heels of taking a three-goal edge, the Capers returned to the deft ball possession approach that they used to carry much of the action throughout the match.
Spizzirri (CBU) and Philippe Gallant (Moncton) were the players of the game for their respective teams.
Moncton will return to action on Friday, Sept. 8, when they visit the UPEI Panthers in Charlottetown for a 7:15 p.m. kick-off.
CBU will be back on the pitch Saturday, Sept. 9, when they host the rival STFX X-Men at 3:15 p.m.