Capers men hope to end winless streak against UNB

Capers men hope to end winless streak against UNB
September 28, 2012
The Cape Breton University Capers men’s soccer team will look to get back into the
win column when they host the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds on Saturday.
CBU (2-2-1) started the season strong out of the gate, winning both games on the road against the Memorial SeaHawks. But the Capers side has dropped a pair of matches and posted a tie since then, and are coming off a 5-1 loss to the Saint Mary’s Huskies after battling to a 2-2 draw with the Dalhousie Tigers last weekend.
Capers co-captain and second-year midfielder Jason Massie said despite being shut out of the win column in Halifax last weekend, the team is staying positive. He noted the return of assistant coach Deano Morley as a boost to both the coaching staff and the players.
“We’ve conceded 10 goals in five games, which is really not like CBU at all,” said the native of Liverpool, England, who leads his team with three goals. “Our focus is going to be keeping a tight ship.”
Saturday’s games at Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex turf field are scheduled for 5 p.m. (women) and 7:15 p.m. (men).
Capers head coach Robbie Chiasson said his team is still in the middle of the pack and has their sights set on a playoff spot. Keeping opponents off the scoreboard early will be key.
“We’ve been getting scored on in the first half and have been playing catch-up the last few games,” he said. “In this league, you can’t do that. We have to maximize our opportunities, take it to the other team and score that first goal. Then we put the other team in the hot seat and put the pressure on them.”
CBU is still without starting keeper Andrew Murphy (arm), while defenders Paul Martin and Wyatt Scheller are day-to-day. Andrew Rigby (leg) didn’t play last weekend, but should be back against UNB on Saturday.
Chiasson said the injuries have given younger players a chance to step up and play.
The Capers women will look to continue their strong play and improve on a 5-0-0 start to their season. They enter this weekend against the Varsity Reds as the No. 10-ranked team in Canadian Interuniversity Sport.
CBU has been getting it done despite fighting the injury bug as well. They’ve been without last year’s leading scorer Karolyne Blain, who is out with an ankle injury, while Irish national keeper Amanda Budden is still sidelined with an elbow injury.
The Capers wrap up the weekend on the road on Sunday in Antigonish against St. Francis Xavier University. The women hit the field at 4 p.m. followed by the men at 6:15 p.m.
sports@cbpost.com