Aigles Bleus crash Panthers’ home opener with 4-1 victory

By Thomas Becker 

The UPEI Panthers barely had time to settle into their home opener before the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus stormed in, seized control, and never let go in a 4-1 defeat Friday night in Charlottetown.

From the opening whistle, the visitors dictated the pace and silenced the crowd early. Just over four minutes in, a misplayed ball from UPEI defender Max VanWiechen gifted Moncton their first chance. Forward Jonathan Kisse pounced and forced a save from keeper Javier Zaragoza, but Philippe Gallant was there to finish off the rebound with a calm volley for the 1-0 lead. 

The Panthers struggled to settle into the match and found themselves on the back foot for much of the first half. But in the 41st minute, the home side gave the crowd something to cheer about. Defender Kyle St-Jean floated a chipped ball into the box, where rookie Antwaan Miller showed his speed and instincts by pressuring the keeper and poking home the loose ball to make it 1-1. 

Unfortunately for UPEI, the momentum was short-lived. Less than a minute later, Moncton answered back. Julien Kisse sliced through several defenders on the edge of the box before slipping a perfectly timed pass across goal to Dylan Cyr, who tapped it in to restore the Aigles Bleus' advantage. That late dagger sent UPEI into halftime trailing 2-1.

The second half brought more frustration for the Panthers as Moncton's relentless pressure continued. In the 57th minute, Mael Lavail muscled his way down the goal line, brushing off a challenge from VanWiechen before slotting a low shot past Zaragoza for a 3-1 cushion.

With the game slipping away, UPEI threw bodies forward in search of a lifeline, but the gamble left them exposed at the back. Moncton punished them again in the 78th minute when centre back Charles Delven-Kayle launched a long ball over the top. Lavail raced onto it, outpaced two defenders, and coolly finished past Zaragoza for his second of the night and Moncton's fourth. 

For UPEI, Miller's first AUS goal was the lone bright spot in an otherwise frustrating night. The Panthers will need to regroup quickly and tighten up defensively if they hope to turn things around when they hit the pitch again Sunday afternoon against the Cape Breton Capers.

Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek