CBU soccer teams play home openers this weekend
SYDNEY — Keeper Andrew Murphy is an imposing figure in the Cape Breton University Capers men’s soccer goal and hopes to deny more opposing shooters as the starter this season.
Standing 6-4 and weighing in at 220 pounds, the native of Liverpool, England learned of the Capers program last year from fellow countryman Andrew Rigby. The two played for the Ottawa Fury of the USL Premier Development League. In Liverpool, Murphy played for both Preston North End and Chester City football clubs.
“Mostly the team, I heard how strong they were and the football they play and how respected (CBU) is around Canada due to sports,” Murphy, 22, said of why he chose CBU. “Also coming in, seeing the facilities and the town, it’s a really nice place, too.”
Murphy started in seven games for the Capers men in 2010 and recorded three shutouts, good enough for sixth in the league. His 1.14 goals-against average was fourth in the Atlantic University Sport conference.
The big Englishman will likely take a bulk of the starts for CBU this season, as rookie backup Kevin Abraham of New Waterford works to acclimatize to the university ranks.
“Definitely this year I’m good to go, so it’s going to be a good season for me,” said Murphy. “Hopefully get as many games as I can under my belt, even though I have good competition against me.
“Kevin is a young lad starting up, so it’s more of a learning curve coming in. Definitely, he’s getting better working with a good team now.”
The Capers got off to a strong start last weekend against the Acadia Axemen in Wolfville, posting a 4-1 win on goals by Andrew Rigby, Ian Greedy, Silvano Rajkovic and Shayne Hollis. They’ll look to continue that momentum at home when both CBU soccer clubs face the Memorial Sea-Hawks on Saturday and Acadia on Sunday.
Saturday’s games at the Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex will be played at 1 p.m. (women) and 3:15 p.m. (men). Sunday, play is scheduled for 3 p.m. (women) and 5:15 p.m. (men).
“The performance we gave was top-notch,” said Capers men’s head coach Robbie Chiasson of last weekend’s season opener. “We kept the ball as we were hoping to most of the game, similar to how we played in exhibition. We’re playing the brand we want to play and the goals came.
“In the past, we’ve let teams hang around being one goal up. We were up three in the first half and put the game away. We’re hoping to do more of that this year.”
The Capers women were also victorious last weekend, blanking Acadia Axewomen by a 2-0 result. Erika Lannon and rookie Karolyne Blain fired singles as keeper Tiffany O’Donnell made two saves in the shutout.
Head coach Stephen (Ness) Timmons was pleased with how his side performed to open the season, highlighting the contribution of his younger players.
“We want to improve on our scoring chances and improve on our defensive ability,” he said. “We want to deny them more chances than this past weekend, but we want to make sure we create more.”