The men’s and women’s soccer Hurricanes have a big weekend of Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) play ahead of them as they close out the regular season.  On Saturday the Hurricanes welcome the University of New Brunswick Saint John (UNBSJ) Seawolves to the island, before hosting the St. Thomas University (STU) Tommies on Sunday; all games take place at the Terry Fox Sports Complex in Cornwall, with the women’s games beginning at 1pm followed by the men at 3:15pm.

All four games have playoff implications as teams in both the men’s and women’s standings fight for positioning entering the ACAA Championships next week in Halifax, Nova Scotia, hosted by the University of King’s College (UKC) Blue Devils.

The women’s Hurricanes enter the weekend at 7-2-1 and in second place, a single point behind the Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) Mystics; the ‘Canes have a game in-hand.  Two wins over the weekend for Holland College guarantees they would enter the playoffs as the number one seed.  A single win would do the trick if MSVU were to tie or lose their final game.

The Seawolves enter at 6-4-0 and in a tie for third with UKC; both teams have clinched their places in the ACAA Championship.  The ‘Canes defeated the Seawolves 3-1 on September 11 in Saint John to open the season.

The women’s Tommies are 2-5-3 and will miss the playoffs in fifth.  They fell to the ‘Canes on September 12, 1-0 in Fredericton, in their only matchup with Holland College this season.

“This weekend is very important for the team,” shared fullback, Abigail Cox. “It’s our last chance to determine our standing for playoffs. We have to play our game and let the results speak for themselves. We’ve really grown as a team and I think this weekend will be a great time to showcase it.”

The men’s Hurricanes are also hunting for the top seed entering the ACAA Championship; they are 9-0-1 and in first place entering the weekend games.

First, versus the 5-3-2, UNBSJ Seawolves on Saturday.  UNBSJ enters in fourth, having already clinched their spot in the playoffs.  The ‘Canes defeated the Seawolves to open the season, 3-1 in Saint John.

All eyes will be on the two undefeated powerhouses on Sunday, the Hurricanes and STU Tommies.  The Tommies sit at 8-0-2 and in second place, two-points back of the Hurricanes, in what could be a single game to determine the number one seed entering the playoffs.  The two teams battled to a scoreless tie on September 12 in Fredericton in their previous meeting.

Joining the Hurricanes, Tommies and Seawolves at the ACAA Championship will be the MSVU Mystics, 5-3-3 and in third place entering the weekend.

“Without a doubt we’ve shown each team we’re a top competitor,” shared goalkeeper, Keegan MacKinnon. “We’ve brought our game to the next level for these final weeks. As long as we come out with a positive mindset and keep our composure we will finish strong.”

With lots to be determined this weekend, you will not want to miss a minute of the action from across Atlantic Canada.  Be sure to follow the Hurricanes social media channels for live updates from each game.

Connect with the soccer Hurricanes at www.twitter.com/caneswsoccer, www.twitter.com/canesmsoccer, www.instagram.com/caneswsoccer and www.instagram.com/canesmsoccer.

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

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