Women’s Soccer
A perfect start for the UKC Women who collected the full six points in their opening weekend, picking up wins over the visiting St. Thomas University Tommies and UNBSJ Seawolves.
Playing both matches at Mainland Commons in Bedford, NS, the Blue Devils began their weekend against the Tommies, posting a 2-1 scoreline. Rookie striker, Georgia Gavas opened the UKC’s scoring in the 15th minute off an assist from winger, Faye Little. King’s doubled the lead shortly after half time, with Little scoring in the 62nd minute thanks to an assist from Callie Jurmain, securing a 2-0 lead with just under a half hour remaining. A miscommunication in the UKC backline provided St. Thomas striker, Rachel Haanstra a clean look at net, with the Tommies scoring in the 68th minute; but a calm and collected Blue Devils side responded well, dominating possession for the remainder of the match and eliminating any further opportunities for a comeback.
The UKC Women had a quick turnaround, retaking the field the next afternoon against the UNBSJ Seawolves, who had played the MSVU Mystics the previous afternoon to a 3-1 loss in Halifax. The Blue Devils scored first again with King’s center back, Adrianne Proudfoot, finding the net in only the third minute by connecting with a Iriana Theoharopolous corner in the box for a header goal. Tia Lovegrove added a second for King’s in the 19th minute following a through-ball from center mid, Victoria Iatrou, securing a comfortable 2-0 lead. The Seawolves would mount a late push, poaching a goal in the 83rd minute via Joce Splitgerber, but the UKC Women saw out the match, finishing with a 2-1 win and an undefeated opening weekend.
With six points from two matches, the Blue Devils presently sit in a three-way-tie in the league alongside Holland College and MSVU. In gameweek two, the Blue Devils travel to Holland College Saturday for a critical match in the league standings, before making the drive Truro to play Dal AC on Sunday.
Results:
vs. STU, 2-1 Win
vs. UNBSJ, 2-1 Win
Next Matches:
@Dal AC, Saturday, September 16th, 1pm
@Holland College, September 17th, 12pm
Men’s Soccer
A win and a draw in the opening gameweek for the UKC Men, who stay undefeated on 4 points following visits from St. Thomas University Tommies and UNBSJ Seawolves. A heated 2-2 draw on Saturday against the STU Tommies, who finished 2022-23 regular season top of the league, with Keynan Harvey and Michael Zinck both finding the back of the net with goals coming in the 39th and 68th minutes respectively. St. Thomas earned both their goals through the efforts of Elias Stiphout, who netted in the 47th and 62nd minutes, the latter goal coming from a penalty shot. UKC’s senior keeper, Rylan Logan, proved crucial for the Blue Devils, stopping 12 shots.
Hosting UNBSJ on Sunday, King’s started well with rookie midfielder, Coleton Walker, who opened his account in his first start with the Blue Devils with a 45th-minute goal with an assist by Keynan Harvey. The Seawolves equalized after half time with a strike from Shadrack Shogonya, which deflected off UKC center back Ian Kerr, for an own goal in the 63rd minute. Late match heroics from midfield duo Jonah Cameron and Michael Zinck would secure maximum points for the Blue Devils, as they orchestrated a deceptive freekick in the 90th minute to spring Zinck free for a goal in the UNBSJ box.
Head Coach Jamie McGinnis may not have a perfect record for the league’s opening week, but remains undefeated while securing a valuable point from the STU match. In week two, the Kingsmen visit the Dal AC Rams on Saturday before visiting the 2022-23 ACAA Champions, Holland College Hurricanes on Sunday in Charlottetown.
Results:
vs. STU, 2-2 Draw
vs. UNBSJ, 2-1 Win
Next Matches:
@Dal AC, Saturday, September 16th, 3:15pm
@Holland College, September 17th, 2:15pm
