Axemen and Panthers advance to Semi-Finals

Panthers shut out Sea-Hawks to advance to semi-finals

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The No. 4 seeded UPEI Panthers will move on to the Semi-final round after posting a 2-0 win over the No. 5 seeded Memorial Sea-Hawks. Fourth year midfielder Kyle Dutton (Hunter River, P.E.I.) scored the first and eventual game winner 28 minutes into the match.

For the most part, the game was battled at centre field with both teams defending well. Shots were 12-11 in favour of the Panthers and shots on goal went to a 8-7 UPEI advantage.

Jeff Moore (Cornwall, P.E.I.) scored the insurance goal at the 68 minute to give the Panthers their second consecutive semi-finals.  

First year keeper Brett Strba (Windsor Junction, N.S.) collected the Subway Player of the Game award for the Panthers repelling seven shots on goal, while Sea-Hawk Owen McAleese collected the honours for the Memorial.

The Panthers will now face the No. 1 seeded Cape Breton Capers who finished the 2015 campaign with a 8-1-4 record at 5:00 p.m. Friday night. The Capers handed UPEI a 4-0 loss back on September 19th in Charlottetown. BOX SCORE>

Hometown Axemen head to semi-finals after 2-0 win over Tigers

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Acadia's Matthew Berrigan (Halifax, N.S.) was the hometown hero in the second quarterfinal matchup between the No. 6 seeded Dalhousie Tigers and the host No. 3 seeded Acadia Axemen.

Berrigan's penalty kick goal at the 78th minute ensured the Axemen would advance to the semi-finals after handing the Tigers a 2-0 loss in front of 718 hometown fans.

The Axemen kept a high pace offensive threat throughout the game, taking 17 shots and landing 10 on goal. Tiger Keeper Jason Ross (Bedford, N.S.) gathered 8 saves while Acadia's Nigel Goodwin (Milton, Ont.) was tested on 1 save.

After a scoreless first half, Acadia scored on an own goal five minutes into the second half with the point awarded to Berrigan who was the last to touch the ball before deflecting off of a Tiger defender.

Berrigan, who was named the Subway Player of the Game, was given the opportunity to score his own on a 78th minute penalty kick.

"Oh it killed me, especially with the extra time - down time, but I just tried to stay calm and it goes from there", remarked third year Acadia striker Matthew Berrigan when asked how he felt prior to his penalty kick goal that gave Acadia the 2-0 lead.

Berrigan credited his defending and midfield teammates for the win. "Our back line play was astonishing. (Andrew) Snyder (Bridgetown, N.S.) held it down and Ya Ya (Ryan Parris – Hamilton, Bermuda) and (Spencer) Buck (Quisspamsis, N.B.) controlled the middle".

Fifth year defender Mark Hagen collected the Subway Player of the Game award for Dalhousie.

The Axemen will face the UNB Varsity Reds in Friday night's semi-final game at 7:15 p.m. Acadia and the No. 2 seeded Varsity Reds posted a 1-1 draw in Acadia's second last game of the regular season at home last week. BOX SCORE>