Panthers post 3-1 win over Axemen to advance to Semi-Finals

(ST. JOHN'S, N.L.) - In the first quarterfinal of the Subway AUS men's soccer championship at King George V Park, fourth-place UPEI defeated fifth place Acadia 3-1 in a crisp day on the pitch.

Acadia controlled most of the play in the first 20 minutes but it was the Panthers third year forward James Mallard (Charlottetown, P.E) that put one in the back of the net 26 minutes in.

The Axemen were quick to try and even things up as rookie  midfielder Cooper Coats (Halifax, N.S.) took a shot on goal just two minutes later but UPEI's Mark Ashlee (Victoria, B.C.) made a defensive save preventing the goal.

At that half the score was 1-0 for the UPEI Panthers with four shots by Acadia and three for UPEI.

The Axemen broke through in the first minute of the second half, as defender Andrew Snyder (Bridgewater, N.S.) headed a corner kick from Corey Cadeau past UPEI keeper Nathan Ford (Warren Grove, P.E.).

UPEI then turned up the heat and most of the play was in the Axemen's half. Acadia's defence was able to fend off six free kicks from the Panthers.

Acadia made two back to back attempts on the net in the 75th minute but one was saved by Ford, and the other went wide.

Just seconds later the Panthers took control of the ball and Kieran Moore (Cornwall, P.E.) netted the eventual game winning goal for the Panthers assisted by Mallard. Jared Murphy (Winsloe, P.E.) then provided an insurance goal for the Panthers as the clock hit 79:59, bringing UPEI's tally to three.

The Panthers and Axemen traded a few more chances after the clock stopped but the game would go to the Panthers with a score of 3-1.

The Subway AUS player of the game was Kieran Moore for the winner, while All-Star defender Andrew Snyder took player of the game honours for the Axemen.

Axemen head coach Findlay MacRae was quoted on twitter with much praise for his players. "Proud of lads despite the loss. They can all look at themselves straight in the mirror. Their time will come". said MacRae.
 
UPEI will now play second-place Cape Breton in the semifinals on Saturday at 5pm.

Provided by Memorial Sports Information Office