Capers make CBU history winning bronze at CIS championship

The dynamic duo of Ian Greedy and Keishen Bean helped the Capers men’s soccer team bring home its first Canadian Interuniversity Sport medal.

Greedy scored on a pass from Bean in the 70th minute to bring the Capers to a 1-0 win over the Alberta Golden Bears during bronze medal game played Sunday in Victoria, B.C.

Silvano Rajkovic, a fifth year player, who is the only player on the team to have played at two previous CIS men’s championships, said it’s bittersweet that Sunday’s match also spells an end to his time with the Capers.

“I think the only better way to go out with it would have been to win gold but obviously we got to the bronze and I think that’s a huge accomplishment for the program to win the first ever medal for any men’s sport at the university,” he said.

Rajkovic, who was taken off the field after receiving an elbow to the head in the 90th minute, said the soccer pitch was wet and slick during the game due to prior rainfall. He said the Capers strategy was to keep their feet on the ball.

“They tried to counter attack more,” said Rajkovic. “We tried to keep possession of the ball and get our chances through that. I think both teams played well, they gave us a really great game and fortunately we got Keishen and Ian Greedy at the front to do the job for us. So they came through once again.”

Capers head coach Robbie Chiasson said the team picked itself back up after suffering a crushing 3-2 loss in the semifinal match against host Victoria late Friday night.

Greedy and Rajkovic scored a goal apiece for the Capers, bringing the game to a 2-2 tie. However, a late goal in the second half by Victoria’s Craig Gorman knocked the Capers out of gold medal contention.

“We had a tough loss against Victoria the other night and everybody was really down (Saturday), but to respond or I guess rebound and knock off the Canada-west champion in Alberta today was a great accomplishment and the boys should be really proud of themselves,” said Chiasson. “Alberta’s a very physical, strong team and they’re disciplined. It’s a hard team to break down. We play a very technical game, which is moving the ball around which eventually gave us some scoring opportunities and as the final goal showed. Keishen Bean got in and got across over to Ian Greedy to score the winner which was kinda fitting I guess because it’s been sort of a Greedy-Bean show all year. To score our last goal of the year, one giving to the other, is really fitting for our season.”

Chiasson said the victory is not only great for the men’s team, but great for Cape Breton University as he said it sends a message to future players and future recruits that CBU one of the top soccer teams in the country.