Capers spoil senior night with 2-0 win over Tigers

By Troy Langstaff

On senior night at Wickwire Field in Halifax, the Cape Breton Capers defeated the Dalhousie Tigers 2-0.

The visiting Capers were using this game as a final tune up for their upcoming AUS semi-final game on Friday as they had already clinched the second position in the league. As for the Tigers, they needed to win and a Memorial draw or loss in order to make the playoffs.

Both teams traded early chances with Kairo Coore of the Capers launching a ball just high from inside the box. At the other end Ayoub Al-Arabi (Halifax, NS) had a handful of chances going just high or wide of the goal.

The first goal of the game didn't come until the 40' minute when Cape Breton's Cian Lynch received a through ball in the box and fired a low shot into the bottom left of the goal. This marker came just seconds after the visiting crowd started a "Let's go Capers" chant.

Cape Breton held their 1-0 lead into halftime.

The second half saw goalkeepers Aiden Rushenas (Toronto, ON) and Jordan Watkins go save for save to keep the game where it was.

An Enrico Rodriguez (Halifax, NS) one-timer in the 48', Adam Murphy header in the 60', and another Rodriguez laser in the 66' were all stopped by Watkins. 

During the second half the Tigers had many beautiful crosses into the box, but the Capers defense stymied the Dalhousie forwards chances. There was lots of possession time spent in the Cape Breton half, but the visiting squad's defensive pressure was relentless.

In the 79' minute Rushenas made back-to-back wonderful saves on Daniel Williams and Cian Lynch to keep the Tigers within one.

It was all for naught though as the Capers offense broke through in the 83' with a goal off the foot of Kairo Coore.

Cape Breton held on for the 2-0 victory and ended the Tigers season earlier than they were hoping.

Rushenas made 10 saves on the night while Watkins stopped all 7 he faced for his fourth clean sheet. 

The Capers will play next in the AUS semi-finals on Friday.