It’s not uncommon for King’s and MSVU to meet one another on the soccer pitch this time of year. Perennial playoff attendees, the two Halifax sides have squared off regularly in late October, typically with a trip to the CCAA National Championships on the line. This season, there are no playoffs or national championships; but that doesn’t make the rivalry any less authentic.
The match proved to be a spirited affair from the opening kickoff. Initial momentum went the way of the Mount, with early saves coming from keeper Rylan Logan. Forced into an unplanned substitution after an injury to rookie wing back Darien Slawter, King’s entered halftime having recorded only a single shot on net, via a Ben Kloppenburg free kick.
Whatever the message from head coach Jamie McGinnis was at the break, it clearly made a difference. A 48th minute foul provided Kloppenburg another chance from a set-piece, which he slotted from 22 yards. Kloppenburg would double the lead some 10 minutes later, finding the net off an friendly MSVU deflection. Having been reduced to 10 men after a 59th minute red card, the MSVU defense struggled to contain the Blue Devils, allowing a 3rd and 4th goal from a Matt Hines free kick kissed in off the post, and a Mubarak Abdul-Azeez penalty before the game came to a close.
Undoubtedly, this “friendly” was little more than an icebreaker for each side; a casual opportunity to feel out their opponent without taking too much credence from the result. That being said, neither team will waste time dissecting their respective performances, with a fixture replay scheduled for the coming week at King’s on Wickwire field.
Final Score: 4-0 W
