UPEI ends Capers’ three-year unbeaten streak with dominant win

By Thomas Becker

The UPEI Panthers pulled off one of their more memorable regular season wins in program history Sunday, defeating the Cape Breton Capers 3-0 in a result that sent shockwaves across Atlantic University Sport.

Not only was it UPEI's first win over the perennial powerhouse since Oct. 26, 2014—a 3-0 decision that season that ended with the Panthers capturing a CIS (now U SPORTS) bronze medal—but it also marked the first time the Capers have lost in regulation since 2021. 

For head coach Jed Davies and his group, it was a statement performance and a sign that this young squad can compete with the best. 

"Cape Breton is such a strong program, and to put together this kind of performance against them is a real moment for our players."

The hero on the day was second-year striker Jahmal Boursiquot, who showcased both his speed and clinical finishing by scoring a pair of goals. Will Campbell opened the scoring in the first half, while defenders and midfielders behind them turned in relentless efforts to keep Cape Breton off the board.

Two days earlier, UPEI fell 4-1 at home to the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus. They looked tentative, at times overwhelmed, and struggled to find consistency. But against Cape Breton, they were the aggressors. 

Whether it was opening day jitters or a wake-up call from Friday's defeat, the Panthers came out with a different mentality. They hunted loose balls, pressed aggressively, and weren't afraid to take the game to the Capers.

"Clearly, we didn't have the mentality on Friday that we had today," Boursiquot said. "We didn't go for every 50-50 ball. We didn't have that intensity. But today, we showed way more courage and created our own chances."

The Panthers' determination was rewarded in the 34th minute. After a strong run down the left side, Antwaan Miller beat his man one-on-one and sent a ball into the box. Campbell lunged at it, striking it off the underside of the crossbar and in past Cape Breton keeper Luka Palajsa.

"The first goal is always a weight off the shoulders," Davies said. "The other day we worked hard for 40 minutes to score and then conceded 50 seconds later. Today we went up 1-0 and the boys locked back in and didn't take their foot off the gas." 

Just before halftime, UPEI doubled their lead. Ruben Lund sent a long ball in behind the Capers' defence, and Boursiquot's speed did the rest. He cut inside, cleared some space and tucked a low shot into the back of the net for 2-0 in stoppage time. 

The second half brought more of the same hunger from the home side. In the 58th minute, Chase Bell surged up the left wing and delivered a pinpoint cross into the six-yard box where Boursiquot met it perfectly with his head, leaving Palajsa no chance. 

"It's clear that whenever we have the ball now, it's looking for the forwards," Boursiquot said. "We're always looking to create, making runs behind the defense and supporting each other. Last year we didn't have that as much, but now the hunger to score is stronger than ever."

From that point on, UPEI's disciplined defense held strong. The back line won duels, closed gaps, and disrupted a Capers attack that rarely went without a goal in recent seasons.

Davies singled out Boursiquot not just for his goals, but also for his two-way play.

"Jahmal's someone I've known for many years, and I've always given him a hard time about his defence," Davies said. "Today he was an absolute monster. I know everyone's going to talk about the two goals, but for me, the defending piece was just as important because he's the first defender."

For UPEI, this victory was more than three points, it was a reminder of what's possible. The Panthers hadn't beaten Cape Breton in over decade, but on Sunday they looked every bit the part of a contender. 

And just like 2014, when a 3-0 win over the Capers became a launching pad to the program's greatest success, this result may well serve as a catalyst for another memorable season.

Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek