(Halifax, N.S.) – The University of Kings College Blue Devils defeated the Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics 2-1 in penalty kicks to become the 2023 ACAA Men's Soccer Champions.
Both teams had scoring opportunities early on with Aiden Whelan putting a shot on net for the Mystics. Blue Devil Luke Kotaska followed suit with a header at the other end, but keeper Tristan Brocklehurst was able to handle the shot.
Cooper Smith found the back of the net in the 16th minute to put the Mystics up 1-0.
The Blue Devils had a chance top even the score soon after when Dimitri Kyriakakis got a shot off in close, but Brocklehurst made a brilliant save.
Andrew McKenna made a great run for Kings midway through the first half but sent his shot wide. They got another scoring chance from a free kick just outside the 18-yard box, but the shot breezed over the net.
The Mystics Amath Bojang showed some fancy footwork to create another great scoring opportunity, but Kings keeper Rylan Logan made the save.
Kings made a few more runs in the late stages of the half but were unable to capitalize until a penalty was called during extra time and Michael Zinck put the ball just out of reach for Brocklehurst to tie the game.
The second half started out just like the first with the teams trading scoring opportunities. Kings had a number of chances early on but Brocklehurst continued to make some big saves to keep them from scoring.
The Mystics had a number of great chances as well, but were unable to convert. With no goals in the second half, the game went into two 15-minute overtime periods.
Both teams had great chances in the first over time period. Ian Kerr got off a great shot for Kings but Brocklehurst made the save. Aiden Whelan put a shot on net for the Mystics but keeper Rylan Logan was there to make the stop.
In the second overtime period, Kings had an early scoring opportunity after a Mystics handball, but Zinck sent his shot over the net.
With the game still tied after two over time periods, penalty kicks were used to determine the winner. Both teams scored in the first two rounds, but a miss by the Mystics in the third gave Kings the edge after they made their next three shots.
Rylan Logan was named the Lawtons Player of the Game for Kings, while Nick Bryden received the honour for Mount Saint Vincent.
The Blue Devils advance to the CCAA Championship hosted by St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario November 8-11, 2023.