Aigles Bleus eliminate Huskies in AUS men’s soccer quarterfinal

(SYDNEY, N.S.) Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus (#5) defeated the Saint Mary’s Huskies (#4) 2-0 in the second quarter-final match of the 2022 Subway Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Men’s Soccer Championship Wednesday afternoon at Ness Timmons Field on the Cape Breton University (CBU) campus.  

In the first half, Moncton first-team all-star striker Mohamed Lamine Touré (Moncton, NB) garnered the first scoring opportunity, but Saint Mary’s goalkeeper Jensen Brown (Enfield, NS) dove to his left to make a spectacular save. 

Midway through the opening half, Elimane Gningue (Dakar, Senegal) challenged Brown with a header, but it rang off the left goal post to keep it scoreless.

In the 25^th minute, on a sensational individual effort, Lamine Touré shook off a Saint Mary’s defender just outside the 18-yard box before ripping a left-footed strike into the top corner to give Moncton a 1-0 edge.

In the 25th minute, Gningue challenged Brown with a header, but it rang off the left goal post. 

AUS league-leading scorer Sean Freeman (Halifax, NS) made a nifty rush looking for the equalizer, but his left-footed shot sailed high and wide behind Moncton keeper Christian Masimengo (Dieppe, NB). 

Moncton doubled their edge—in the 35th minute—off a free kick from Jonathan Kisse (Moncton, NB). After his strike went airborne in the 18-yard box, it landed at the feet of a bevy of players; from the scramble, Dave Guichard (Remire-Monjoly Guyane) snapped a blast from close quarters under the crossbar. 

Moncton led 2-0 at halftime.   

In the second half, with the wind at their back, the Huskies could not get generate many chances, while Les Aigles Bleus tightened their grip defensively. 

Lamine Touré and Adam Dunsworth (Halifax, NS) of the Huskies were the Subway players of the match for their respective teams.  

Masimengo made six saves, while Brown turned aside two shots. 

With the victory, les Aigles Bleus advance to the semi-final round, where they will kick off versus the host CBU Capers (#1) on Thursday, November 3, at 6 p.m. ADT. 

The winner of that match will play for an AUS banner on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. ADT. 

All championship tournament matches are available via webcast live at www.AUStv.ca. 

-Recap courtesy of Corey Leblanc/CBU Athletics