Capers shutout X-Men 4-0 to advance to semifinal vs UNB

(HALIFAX, N.S.) - The fifth-ranked Cape Breton Capers defeated the fourth-place X-Men 4-0 in the quarterfinal of the Subway AUS men's soccer championship Friday at Huskies Stadium. The torrential rain and powerful winds created problems for StFX as three giveaways ended their season.

The weather made it difficult for both teams to create many offensive-scoring chances but in the 15^th minute, StFX defender Max Maund was called for a handball in the box producing a penalty kick opportunity for the Capers.  First-year midfielder Mark Stewart made no mistake and gave the Capers the early lead.

The X-Men came close to tying it up before the end of the half, as a giveaway by Cape Breton's Bruno Mota resulted in a great chance for third-year winger Randy Ribeiro that was stopped by keeper Ethan MacInnis.  Veteran defender Jaime Tibbo then fired a shot that just glanced off the post but stayed out to leave the Capers with the lead headed into the half.

In the 54^th minute, the Capers capitalized on a bad giveaway that fourth-year forward and 2013 AUS MVP Ian Greedy took advantage of by making a great pass to forward Justin Maheu. Maheu fired it past X-Men keeper Steven Rodenhizer.

Only six minutes later, Greedy again took advantage of a StFX miscue by breaking through a gap in the X-Men defense to put the Capers up 3-0.

X-Men midfielder Randy Ribeiro tried to get the comeback started with a shot from outside the box that found its way to the net, forcing MacInnis to make the first of his three saves on the afternoon.

The Capers sealed their ticket to the semifinals in the 72^nd minute when StFX turned the ball over again resulting in a penalty kick that first-year midfielder Adam Wilson put home.

The Capers will now face the top ranked Varsity Reds at Huskies Stadium at 12 p.m. on Saturday.

Source: Saint Mary's Sport Information