Canes men looking to peak at right time
First- place Holland College to play conference’s second-, third- place teams
The country’s second ranked men’s college soccer team has a big road trip this weekend.
The Holland College Hurricanes travel to Halifax to take on the Mount Saint Vincent Mystics and Kings College Blue Devils, the Atlantic conference’s second- and third- rank teams, respectively.
The conference- leading Hurricanes ( 4- 0- 3) say they are prepared for the challenge with a few tough training sessions and a m i d - w e e k game against the Mystics behind them.
“We are coming off two huge wins versus both these opponents in the past week and will look to continue pushing each other as we try to gel as a group,” said captain Simon Hood. “We have gotten better in each game we have played. We need this to continue this weekend and I believe this will set us up to peak at the right time.”
The Hurricanes face the Mystics today at 4 p. m. and Blue Devils Sunday at 2 p. m. Both games will be played at the Mainland Commons.
The Hurricanes have lost only one game ( the 2011 national final) in the last two seasons. Holland College is looking at getting back to this year’s championship in Coquitlam, B. C. The second- place Holland College Hurricanes play the undefeated UNB Red Bombers today in Fredericton in a battle for first place.
Game time is noon at the BMO Centre. The Red Bombers won the first meeting 28- 21 in Charlottetown and the Canes are planning to turn the tables this time around, said head coach Mark MacDougall.
“We started this season with a lot of new players, so it’s taken a while for the team to find its rhythm,” he said.
“The players are honing their ability to work as a team with every practice and every game. They’re ready for the Saturday rematch.”
The Hurricanes will need to limit Red Bombers quarterback Brendan Cornford, who has led an effective passing attack this season.
A Bombers’ win will secure the club a first- place finish and homefield advantage in the playoffs. For the Hurricanes, a victory will keep their first- place hopes alive.
In other Atlantic Football League action on Saturday, lastplace UNB Saint John Seawolves visit third- place Dalhousie Tigers.
The Hurricanes next home game, the last of the regular season, will be Saturday, Oct. 20, when they host the Seawolves at 1 p. m. at UPEI Canada Games Alumni Place.