The Memorial Sea-Hawks men's soccer team will take the field today to face off against the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds in the first quarterfinal game of the AUS Championships taking place in Sydney, N.S.
The Sea-Hawks will be returning to play-off action this season after a very tight and narrow race. The Sea-Hawks (5-6-1) defeated the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus last Friday in heroic fashion when striker Tyler Forsey netted the definitive 2-1 in the last minute of the game. The Sea-Hawks dropped the next game to the Aigles Bleus 0-1, but their last-minute effort in the previous game was enough to earn them a spot in the postseason.
The Sea-Hawks clinched the last playoff spot with 16 points, edging the Aigles Bleus by just one point and the Dalhousie Tigers by 2. The Sea-Hawks recorded 20 goals and conceded 16 goals in 12 games of regular season play.
The Sea-Hawks and the Varsity Reds split their two games in the regular season, with the Varsity Reds taking the first game comfortably with a 5-0 win, but with the Sea-Hawks bouncing back and taking the second with a 1-0 win.
While the Varsity Reds were one of the strongest defensive sides in the league conceding only 7 goals in 12 games, the Sea-Hawks come with plenty of power on their offensive lineup with Tyler Forsey having recorded 9 goals, well accompanied at front by Tyler Kirby who has found the back of the net on 4 occasions.
The Championships will kick-off Thursday at 4:30pm (NST) with 6th ranked Memorial University Sea-Hawks facing 3rd ranked University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds. The game will be followed by the 5th ranked UPEI Panthers taking on the 4th ranked Acadia Axemen.
The 1st ranked Cape Breton Capers and the 2nd StFX X-Men achieved a bye to the second round. Coverage of the playoff action will be offered online through AUStv.ca
By: Xavier Quintilla