(Halifax, N.S.) On the strength of three goals in the second half, the fifth-ranked Cape Breton Capers defeated the fourth-place StFX X-Men 4-0 in the second quarterfinal game of the Subway AUS men's soccer championship Friday afternoon at Huskies Stadium.
The torrential rain and powerful winds created problems for StFX as three giveaways leading to Capers goals ended their season.
The weather made it difficult for both teams to create many offensive-scoring chances but in the 15th minute, StFX defender Max Maund was called for a hand ball in the box producing a penalty kick opportunity for the Capers. First-year midfielder Mark Stewart made no mistake and gave the Capers the early 1-0 lead.
The X-Men came close to tying it up before the end of the half, as a giveaway by Cape Breton's Bruno Mota resulted in a scoring chance for third-year winger Randy Ribeiro that was stopped by keeper Ethan MacInnis. Veteran defender Jaime Tibbo then fired a shot that just glanced off the post but stayed out to leave the Capers with the one goal lead at half-time.
In the 54th minute, the Capers capitalized on a giveaway that fourth-year forward and 2013 AUS MVP Ian Greedy took advantage of by making a great pass to forward Justin Maheu who fired the ball past X-Men keeper Steven Rodenhizer.
Only six minutes later, Greedy again took advantage of a StFX miscue by breaking through a gap in the X-Men defense to put the Capers up 3-0.
X-Men midfielder Randy Ribeiro tried to get the comeback started with a shot from outside the box that found its way to the net, forcing MacInnis to make the first of his three saves on the afternoon.
The Capers sealed their ticket to the AUS semi-finals in the 72nd minute when StFX turned the ball over again, resulting in a penalty kick that first-year midfielder Adam Wilson put home.
The Capers will now face the top ranked Varsity Reds at Huskies Stadium at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday in the first semi-final. The No. 3 ranked Dalhousie Tigers will play No. 2 Saint Mary's in the second semi-final at 3:00 pm.
Source: Saint Mary's Sport Information