Game recap by Kirk Jessome
(Halifax, NS) – Celebrating their home opener of the 2019-20 season, the Dalhousie Tigers played host to the University of Cape Breton Capers. After a quiet first half, the Capers controlled much of the action in the second, but neither side found a goal in the 0-0 draw.
In a physical opening half, neither team had any issue in playing the man before a yellow card to Manolhas Karakada (Beechville, NS) helped calm down both sides.
The Tigers looked to have an early scoring opportunity when Jacob Bolton (Halifax, NS) found a fortunate bounce just outside the box and was alone against a charging Ben Jackson. After firing a quick shot that was stopped, Bolton collected the 50/50 rebound with no one left to beat, but was whistled down for a foul.
The Capers also had a few chances on crosses that just missed the target in the box, and as a result, a quiet first half came to an end.
Cape Breton came out with new energy in the second half, electing to put everything they could toward goal. A few shots from Cory Bent (Preston, UK) sailing just over the crossbar to keep it scoreless.
The Capers remained dangerous from set plays, were still unable to get a shot on target against Ben Grondin (Calgary, AB).
It looked like the deadlock would finally be broken when a ball bounced into the box for Capers Captain Peter Schaale (Bernkastel-Kues, DE), but his strike was deflected just wide by the outstretched fingertips of Grondin.
Bent couldn't have asked for better opportunities than the two that were given to him late in the match. The first came from a high cross that he was able to get a head on, but merely direct it into the hands of Grondin. The second from another bouncing cross in the box that Bent controlled with a great touch, but then sent his strike wide of the goal.
As the final whistle blew, neither team was able to find a goal in this one, as the match ended in a 0-0 draw.
Jacob Bolton earned the Subway Player of the Game title for the Tigers, while Raine Lyn earned the title for the Capers.
The Tigers are back in action tomorrow when they host StFX at 3:15, and the Capers will continue their road trip to play Mount Allison tomorrow.