Brent Mutis
CapU Blues sports info

Getting to the CCAA National Championship tournament for the first time since 2018 and the first time under third-year head coach Steve Millar, the Capilano Blues tangled with the University of King's College UKC Blue Devils of Halifax with the result going the way of the Atlantic side, 2-1 after penalty kicks.

The game's first 20 minutes saw each side testing the other with much of the play in the middle of the park and few quality looks on goal. Capilano began to tilt possession in their favour over the latter part of the first half but couldn't solve the Blue Devils defensive structure and the game was nil-nil at halftime.

Capilano got the start they wanted to the second half, controlling the ball in the UKC end in the opening minutes. Aydin Ali was able to get the ball across to captain Tommy Millar who settled the ball just inside the 18-yard box, turned and fired a strike that opened the scoring less than two minutes into the second half. 

UKC drew level in the 58th minute on an unfortunate break for the Blues. After a short corner from the Blue Devils, Coleton Walker made a run and blasted a left-footed effort that deflected off Millar and into the net.

The final 30 minutes of play couldn't decide a winner as the experienced and physical UKC side thwarted the Capilano offence. Knotted 1-1 after 90 minutes, the game went immediately to penalty kicks as per CCAA Nationals regulations in the preliminary games.

UKC keeper Liam Collings stole the show in kicks, stopping Zach Gabrys on the first shot and later stopping Aydin Ali. The Blue Devils got the clincher off the foot of fifth-year midfielder Jonah Cameron.

Capilano has a path to the podium but must win three games in a row, starting with Thursday's matchup with les Nomades de Montmorency in a 9:30 a.m. PST kickoff. UKC advances to the tournament semifinal where they will play Humber College Thursday afternoon.