Women’s Soccer
A win and a draw in the final two matches of the regular season allowed the UKC Women’s team to cruise into the post-season. Finishing with a total of 21 points, King’s enters the playoffs as the 3rd seed.
In a weekend match at the Mainland Commons in Halifax, the Blue Devils faced off against the Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics. With both teams having clinched playoff berths, the match served more as a teaser for the Championships slated for the coming weekend. King’s took a 1-0 lead just after halftime as winger Anna Dugandzic found the back of the net for the Blue Devils. King’s maintained their lead through the 89th minute before MSVU’s Kathrine McEwan drew the Mystics level just before the final whistle.
The Blue Devils hosted the Crandall University Chargers for their final home match of the regular season. Prior to kickoff, graduating seniors Dimitra Tsimiklis, Lucy Carolan, and Lily Wright were honored and recognized for their loyalty and commitment to King’s Women’s Soccer. King’s would go on to dominate the match, taking a 4-0 lead before half with a pair of goals coming from Anna Dugandzic, a solo effort from Sophie Shepherd, and an own-goal from Crandall off a Faye Little corner kick. UKC keeper Margot Bunz recorded a clean sheet in net, as the Blue Devils cruised through an uneventful second half.
With the regular season now complete, King’s focus now turns to its do-or-die semifinal match against MSVU set for 12:30 p.m. October 30 at Harbour East in Dartmouth. The Blue Devils have lost and drawn in their first two meetings with the Mystics so far this season, but a 4-point weekend has the UKC team entering the playoffs in prime form. Bolstered by their air-tight backline, the women’s team is primed for a deep playoff run. The full playoff schedule can be found on the ACAA website and all matches will be live streamed.
Results
@MSVU 1-1 Draw
vs. Crandall 4-0 Win
Men’s Soccer
Back-to-back wins on the weekend earn the King’s men’s team 6 points in the table to end the season on a high note despite missing the playoffs by 3 points. Despite the hard end to the season, Head Coach Jamie McGinnis and co. will have cause for optimism after these final two matches.
First facing the Mystics of MSVU, the Blue Devils took an early lead in the 24th minute via winger Gareth MacKinnon, who had regained fitness after a season of battling injuries. MacKinnon would double the King’s lead in the 71st minute, propelling his side to the win against cross town rivals.
The Sunday fixture saw the Blue Devils return to Wickwire field for the final match of the season. On Senior Day, it was rookies who provided to the catalyst for scoring, with the King’s putting four past the visiting Chargers of Crandall University. Yet again MacKinnon would open scoring, finding the net in the 23rd minute. Lucas Livingston would double the UKC lead some 10 minutes later in the 34th minute, before MacKinnon added a second of his own in the 41st. The lone second half goal would belong to wingback Isaac Rhynold on an unassisted effort. A flurry of cards in the late stages of the match eventually resulted in the Chargers being reduced to 10 men in the 83rd minute. Parker Ingham claimed a clean sheet for the Blue Devils and saw King’s complete a full 6-point weekend.
With a young squad (12 true freshmen) the Blue Devils coaching staff can relax knowing that the core of their team will be returning for the 2022-23 campaign. Cash Layden, Rylan Logan and Matt Hines will provide strong returning leadership as King’s looks to bounce back after a two-year hiatus from the post-season.
Results
@MSVU 2-0 Win
vs. Crandall 4-0 Win
