November 11, 2016

Blues fall in extra time to Capers at CIS Men's Soccer Championship

GUELPH, Ont. (U Sports) -- The No. 7 University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's soccer team fell 1-0 in extra time to the second-seeded Cape Breton Capers in quarter-final action on Day 1 of the CIS men's soccer championship in Guelph on Thursday afternoon.

GUELPH, Ont. (U Sports) -- The No. 7 University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's soccer team fell 1-0 in extra time to the second-seeded Cape Breton Capers in quarter-final action on Day 1 of the CIS men's soccer championship in Guelph on Thursday afternoon.

The Blues will take on the York Lions, who fell 2-0 to the Alberta Golden Bears in the first quarter-final of the day, tomorrow at 11am in consolation semi-final action.

First team all-Canadian Joel Eckert Ayensa finally broke the 0-0 deadlock with a rocket to the top corner on a penalty kick in the 111th minute. The Capers were awarded the penalty kick after being taken down in the box.

"It was the right call," said University of Toronto head coach, Anthony Capotosto. "It was a 50/50 ball inside the box and if you don't come out of it on the right end, it's a penalty."

The Capers controlled much of the possession in the first half and generated the best scoring chance with third year Ireland native, Stuart Heath unable to get his long distance shot past the arms of U of T goalkeeper, Mark Rogal (Vaughan, Ont.). Both teams played a strong defensive first half, limiting the number of chances by their opponent.

The game opened up in the second half with both teams generating scoring chances. Toronto had a strong chance in the 66th minute after the ball fell to an open spot in the 18 yard box, and a sliding Harry Michelis got a strong shot on goal, but right at Capers keeper Jamie Wilson (Dunbar, SCO). Toronto defender Kenny Lioutas (Toronto, Ont.) maybe came the closest to scoring in regulation time as he blasted a free kick just over the crossbar in the 85th minute.

Eckert-Ayensa figured a goal would come off of a set piece or a penalty kick. "Toronto made it hard for us. They sat back and defended very well. We tried to hold the ball, keep possession and get our chances."

Blues goalkeeper Mark Rogal was named player of the game for U of T, making key saves, and also cutting off crosses from all over the field, all game long.

SCORING SUMMARY:

TOR 0-0-0-0
CBU: 0-0-0-1

First Half
(No scoring)

Second Half
(No scoring)

Extra Time (2 x 15 mins)

Joel Eckert-Ayensa (1), 110:12

Goalkeepers:
CBU: Jamie Wilson (W 0 GA, 4 save, 120:00, 1-0)

TOR: Mark Rogal (L 1 GA, 3 save, 120:00, 0-1)

Team Stats
Shots: CBU 7, TOR 6
Shots on net: CBU 4, TOR 3
Corners: CBU 5, TOR 2
Offsides: CBU 0, TOR 0
Fouls: CBU 0, TOR 0
Yellow cards: Lucas Macnaughten (TOR), Nikola Stakic (TOR), Mark Rogal (TOR), Trey Bean (CBU)

Red cards: None

Players of the game:

CBU: Cory Bent

TOR: Mark Rogal

Thursday, Nov. 10

11:00 Quarter-final 1: Alberta def York 2-0

13:30 Quarter-final 2: Cape Breton def Toronto 1-0-OT

16:00 Quarter-final 3: UQAM vs. UBC (SportsCanada.TV)

19:00 Quarter-final 4: Guelph vs. Acadia (SportsCanada.TV)

Friday, Nov. 11

11:00 Consolation 1: York vs. Toronto (SportsCanada.TV)

13:30 Consolation 2: Loser QF 3 vs. Loser QF 4 (SportsCanada.TV)