Chanda's late goal lifts Mount Royal past Cape Breton and into national semifinals
November 6, 2025

Chanda's late goal lifts Mount Royal past Cape Breton and into national semifinals

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Chanan Chanda, the newly minted U SPORTS rookie of the year, scored the game-winning goal in the 84th minute to lift the No. 4 seed Mount Royal Cougars to a 2-1 victory over the No. 5 Cape Breton Capers in the third quarterfinal of the men's soccer championship Thursday at Varsity Stadium.
 
With the game tied 1-1 and time winding down, Chanda finished a play set up by Joshua Flaksman, breaking the deadlock and sending the Canada West champion Cougars to the national semifinal.
 
The Cougars struck first, with Jonathan Walter opening the scoring in the 17th minute. Mount Royal’s disciplined defense and a key defensive save from Ruben Koudelka helped them maintain the 1-0 lead into halftime despite being outshot by the Atlantic University Sport finalists.
 
Cape Breton found its equalizer in the 56th minute. Substitute Max Piepgrass, who would later be named his team's player of the game, delivered a perfect assist to Amadou Bayo, who slotted the ball home to make it 1-1.
 
The match was a physical, chippy affair, with the Cougars committing 20 fouls and receiving three yellow cards. The Capers were also shown three yellows, including one to their head coach.
 
Mount Royal goalkeeper Sjard Strauss made three saves to secure the win, while his Cape Breton counterpart, Jack Harrington, made two.
 
With the victory, Mount Royal advances to the national semifinal. Cape Breton is relegated to the consolation round.