Split satisfaction
Stanford and Sea-Hawks content taking one of two from nationally ranked Capers
So, let’s get to the obvious question right from the get-go: did the Memorial Sea-Hawks men’s soccer team come into Sunday’s Atlantic University Sport men’s soccer game resting on its laurels following a huge win Saturday, or did the University of Cape Breton Capers wake from a slumber?
“Probably a little bit of both,” said Sea-Hawks coach Jake Stanford after MUN dropped a 4-0 decision to the Capers Sunday at King George V Park in St. John’s. The loss came on the heels of a 1-0 Memorial win Saturday over the best team in the AUS, and the fourth-ranked team in the entire country.
“We knew they were going to come out hard,” Stanford said, “and we were hoping to get out of the first half unscathed. But they got one early (two minutes in) and then another one at 29 minutes and that took the wind out of our sails.”
But Saturday’s win can only be considered a positive for the 3-3-1 Sea-Hawks and new coach Stanford, who is looking to rebuild the men’s program. The Capers arrived in Newfoundland Friday with a 4-0-2 record, having scored 19 goals, while giving up just one.
The Sea-Hawks, Stanford said, battled hard and he’ll take the split as Canadian university soccer takes a break next weekend with national Challenge Cup men’s and Jubilee Trophy women’s championships ongoing in Calgary.
“I mean, Cape Breton is a highly-talented, highly-recruited team,” Stanford said. “They have players from all over the world, and what we have here is a local Newfoundland team that believes in itself.
“So yes, we’ll take the split. They’re big points.”
Tyler Forsey was the hero Saturday, with the lone goal at 39 minutes. David Hickey posted the shutout.
Hickey started Sunday, but came out in favour of Braedan Sheppard with 31 minutes remaining and MUN trailing 4-0.
MUN resumes play Oct. 17-18 in Fredericton, N.B. against the UNB Varsity Reds.