Owen Sheppard scored his third goal of the tournament to bring the home team to the finals as the Cape Breton Capers squeaked out a win over the Mount Royal Cougars 1-0 on Friday night at the 2023 U SPORTS men's soccer championships in Sydney, N.S.
The only goal of the match came in the 72nd minute when a long ball from all the way out at the midfield line was chested down by Nikolai Scheurenbran, right to the feet of Sheppard, who made no mistake with a big strike past Cougars 'keeper Aidan Dumoulin. Sheppard's attempt to take an early lead in the 35th minute was stopped by Dumoulin, but he would not be denied a second time as he scored the game winner.
The Cougars increased the pressure after the goal, but just could not push past the Capers defence. Great opportunities in the 77th minute by Benedikt Mehl and in the 86th minute by Alex Kemsley were either stopped by Daniel Clarke or blocked by the defence. Mount Royal ended up outshooting Cape Breton 16-4, but could not convert on any of their opportunities.
Cape Breton will face the Montréal Carabins in the final on Sunday at 2 p.m. (Atlantic) to battle for gold, while Mount Royal will play for the bronze against the UBC Thunderbirds at 11 a.m.
Nike Team players of the game:
- Cape Breton: Owen Sheppard
- Mount Royal: Jonathan Walter