(ST. JOHN'S, NFLD.) - The final game of the Subway AUS men's soccer championship is now set after the second-seeded Cape Breton Capers defeated the fourth-seeded UPEI Panthers 1-0 Saturday evening in a cold and wet game at King George V Park.
The difficult conditions affected both teams as the wet turf sent the ball skipping on many occasions. In what was a scoreless first half, the play was rather equal with both teams taking advantage of multiple opportunities.
UPEI had three attempts on the net, while Cape Breton had two.
In the second half the winds started to pick up and the rain went sideways.
There were a number of early chances for the Panthers who had three opportunities within the first 10 minutes of the half.
Jared Murphy (Winsloe, P.E.I.) and Logan Dawson's (Hampton, P.E.I.) shots in the 49th and 50th minutes respectively, were just wide of the net. Veteran Brett Hogan's (Nine Mile Creek, P.E.I.) attempt was halted by Capers keeper Josh Lines (Taunton, U.K.).
The game was still scoreless going into the last quarter but it was Kwabe Boateng (Brampton, Ont.) that provided the only goal of the game by putting the ball into the top corner of the Panthers' net in the 69th minute.
The last five minutes of the game saw a push from the Panthers who met a strong defence from Cape Breton.
UPEI's Murphy had a breakaway opportunity in the 88th minute but was whistled back on an offside call.
Teammate Dillon Wright (Cornwall, P.E.I.) had a chance in the 90th minute with a header that was just wide of the goal post.
The Panthers outshot the Capers 13-5 but could not get past Cape Breton's keeper.
The Subway player of the game for the winners was lone scorer Boateng. Cole MacMillan (Stanhope, P.E.I.) took the honours for the Panthers.
The Panthers will play again next weekend as hosts of the 2014 CIS men's soccer championship.
The Capers will face the winner of today's first semi-final match, the UNB Varsity Reds, in the championship final Sunday at 2 p.m.
Source: Memorial Sports Information