Proving grounds
Nationally-ranked Capers provide tough test for young Sea-Hawks
The Memorial Sea-Hawks men’s soccer team managed only four wins in 13 starts last season in the tough Atlantic University Sport conference, so with two victories already on the young 2015 campaign, it’s safe to say the program appears to be on the upswing.
This weekend, we’ll see what the Sea-Hawks are made of, with the unbeaten and nationallyranked University of Cape Breton Capers in town for a pair of games beginning 3:15 this afternoon at King George V Park. The second one goes 1:15 p.m. Sunday.
“The boys are pumped,” coach Jake Stanford said of his charges, 2-2-1 on the year and fifth in the AUS.
“Give them credit, they’ve been working extremely hard, and they realize they have to do that. They know more than anyone they can’t throw on the cleats and go out and get points.
“Cape Breton is obviously a very good team, but we are looking for wins. I don’t think we’ve set expectations too high, but nor are we simply looking just to give them a game. “This is a good test for us.” The Capers arrive in St. John’s with a 4-0-2 record, and have scored an impressive 19 goals, while giving up just one. Cape Breton is the fourth-ranked team in Canadian Intercollegiate Sport.
The Capers are led by Ottawaborn Justin Maheu, who is tied for the conference scoring lead with eight goals. Maheu is the reigning AUS MVP and CIS player of the year.
Stanford says the Sea-Hawks won’t necessarily be putting a defender in Maheu’s back pocket — “we don’t usually play that way” — but did admit Memorial is going to have to be mindful of where the Cape Breton player is on the pitch.
“Alex Pretty is having a fabulous year,” Stanford said of the Memorial defender and also a member of his Holy Cross squad in Challenge Cup play.
“I expect big things from him. He’s definitely capable. He’s been doing that all season in Challenge Cup.”
Stanford said Memorial won’t be sitting back and throwing a defensive blanket on Cape Breton, but he did caution that the Sea-Hawks will play as a solid defensive unit.
“If not, they’ll exploit you and get one or two quick ones. Then the game is over.”
Tyler Forsey is the Sea-Hawks’ top scorer with four goals in five games, third in conference scoring.
The Sea-Hawks will have Greg Reid, Kyle Williams and Mark Brefo available. Reid and Williams were injured and didn’t travel last weekend, while Brefo is back from a one-game suspension.
“That’s going to make for tough lineup decisions,” Stanford said, “but it’s a good problem to have.”