(SYDNEY, NS) On the strength of an offensive outburst early in the first half, one keyed by a pair of goals from Charlie Waters (Blackpool, UK), the second-ranked STFX X-Men defeated the UNB REDS 4-0 in a semi-final match at the 2023 Atlantic University Sport Men's Soccer Championship, on Friday night at Cape Breton University.
With the victory, the X-Men advance to play for a conference banner on Sunday against the top-ranked Cape Breton Capers.
In the 10th minute, Isaac Van Wychen (Middle Musquodoboit, NS) finished a three-way passing play with conference MVP Kyle Cordeiro (Oakville, ON) and Logan Rieck (Cambridge, ON) to give X a 1-0 advantage.
Less than two minutes later, Waters poked home a shot behind UNB keeper Mahmoud Moustafa (Stratford, PE) to make it 2-0.
In the 27th minute, Waters struck again, tucking a strike inside the goal post and behind Moustafa.
The X-Men led 3-0 at halftime.
Early in the second half Mustafa made a diving stop to keep his club within striking distance.
In the 55th minute, off a corner kick to the far post by freshman striker Jackson Purbs (Welland, ON), STFX keeper Sam Diltz (Newmarket, ON) soared to get his hands on the ball, but got upended, which provided an open net for a UNB scoring chance, but X-Men defenders Lewis Dye (Fall River, NS) and Damian DeDekker (Ottawa, ON) blocked the shot on their goal line.
Moments later, defender Jack Kennedy (Antigonish, NS) unleashed a hard shot that was blocked by UNB conference all-star Chris Schmit (Vancouver, BC), but he followed up and scorched the rebound top shelf, short side to make it 4-0.
In the 77th minute, UNB fullback Myers Hayne (Antigonish, NS) had a free kick, but none of his teammates could make contact around the far post.
The X-Men outshot the Reds 20-12, including 12-3 in shots on goal.
RECAP BY: Corey LeBlanc/for CBU Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Vaughan Merchant/for CBU Athletics