The Holland Hurricanes men’s and women’s soccer teams were four-for-four in their Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) regular season games over the weekend.  On Friday night they earned victories over the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus (Dal AC) Rams at the Terry Fox Sports Complex in Cornwall, PEI, before sweeping the Crandall University Chargers on Sunday afternoon in Moncton, New Brunswick.

The women’s Hurricanes opened the weekend under the lights on Friday with a 4-1 victory over the Dal AC Rams.

Emily Lepine put the Hurricanes on the board in the 13’ but the Rams bounced back in the 24’ with a goal off a free kick to tie things up, sending the teams to the locker rooms tied at 1-1.

The ‘Canes would turn it on in the second half, when Symira Lowe-Darrell scored in the 63’ with a laser shot that found the back of the Rams net.  Calandra Bychyk added another in the 67’ when she headed home a corner kick to put the Hurricanes up 3-1.

Jazae Smith would finish things off in the 68’ when she scored to give the Hurricanes the 4-1 lead.  Nicole McInnis was the winner goalkeeper for the Hurricanes.

On Sunday in Moncton the Hurricanes women ran away with the game in second half, scoring seven goals versus the Crandall Chargers on route to a 9-1 victory.

Lepine opened the game with a goal just 6’ in with Lowe-Darrell adding another in the 27’ to give the Hurricanes a 2-0 lead at half.

The ‘Canes would increase the pressure in the second half, with goals from Jade Stewart (47’, 52’ and 65’), Lepine (54’), Smith (56’) and Emily Cormier (62’ and 63’), while the Chargers replied with their only goal in the 56’.

Sam MacEachern stopped six of the seven shots she faced for the ‘Canes in goal on Sunday as Holland College improved to 4-0-0 with the victory; they currently lead the ACAA standings by two points over the St. Thomas University (STU) Tommies.

Head coach, Kris McKinnon, has been impressed with the quality of play from his team early in the regular season, but knows they need to continue to improve.

“We played two games that offered two different challenges.  The players were patient and stuck to the game plan on Friday and we were rewarded for it.  On Sunday they adapted to changes made in the game and we capitalized on our chances.  We are not happy with the goals against but will look at these moments and learn from it.”

The men’s Hurricanes jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half thanks to a hat-trick performance from Alex Lourenso with goals in the 5’, 11’ and 21’.

The Rams would get on the board just minutes into the second half but the ‘Canes would add to their lead when Tegan Misener scored twice (52’ and 64’) before Alex Tougher found the net in the 79’ to give the Hurricanes the 6-1 win.

Devon Griffin earned the victory in goal for the Hurricanes.

On Sunday the Hurricanes scored early and often on route to an 8-0 win over the Crandall Chargers.

Goals from Misener (1’), Ehab Moustafa (14’, 18’ and 77’), Dan Martell (37’), Alexandros Iatrou (43’), Jason Poley (83’) and Alex Tougher (88’) powered the Hurricanes to the victory while Hayden Porter earned the shutout victory in goal.

Head coach, Jonathan Vos, was pleased with his team’s performance this weekend.

“It was a strong weekend for the players.  We had lots of good moments in possession and the players stayed disciplined in our defensive responsibilities.  Our entire coaching staff is happy to see the pieces coming together.”

With the two victories over the weekend the men’s Hurricanes moved into first place in the ACAA standings at 3-0-1; they lead the University of Kings College (UKC) Blue Devils by two points.

The Hurricanes will now turn their attention towards their opponents this weekend in Halifax, Nova Scotia; the Blue Devils and MSVU Mystics.

The ‘Canes will take on the UKC Blue Devils on Saturday at 2 and 4pm (w/m).  The women’s Blue Devils sit at 1-3-0 this season while the men’s team from UKC is in second place at 2-0-2.

On Sunday the Hurricanes will visit the MSVU Mystics on side-by-side fields at 1pm.  The women’s Mystics are 1-2-1 and in fourth place while the men’s Mystics are also 1-2-1 and in a tie for third place.

The Hurricanes next home game is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1 when the Hurricanes host the University of New Brunswick-Saint John (UNBSJ) Seawolves at the Terry Fox Sports Complex in Cornwall; game times are set for 5 and 7pm (w/m).

For more information on ACAA soccer, visit www.acaa.ca.

Connect with the soccer Hurricanes by visiting www.twitter.com/caneswsoccer and www.twitter.com/canesmsoccer.

For more information on the Holland Hurricanes, visit www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, www.twitter.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.

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