Maximilian Raab, 23, of Elora, is home for the holidays, celebrating a big win.
Raab and his teammates from Cape Breton University won gold at the national U Sports men’s soccer championship Nov. 9 to 12.
The Cape Breton Capers were undefeated all season before heading to the tournament in Kamloops, British Columbia.
Cape Breton defeated Université du Québec à Montréal 3-0 in the quarter finals.
The Capers then faced the host Thompson Rivers University and won 4-2 in overtime.
In the final, Raab scored the equalizer goal in overtime, leading the Capers to a penalty shootout with Université de Montréal. Cape Breton pulled ahead with a 3-2 victory.
“It was surreal. I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet for a lot of the guys because when we got back … exams were in two weeks,” he said.
Raab is in his fifth year at the university and his fourth year with the team.
“The guys they always fight for each other; we went down multiple times throughout the season, we were down in the semi-finals and we were down in the finals,” said Raab.
This was the first gold for the men’s soccer team.
“I’m speechless about it; obviously, it’s something that I’m going to remember for the rest of my life,” said Raab.
He has played soccer for about 20 years, including with Fergus-Elora District Soccer and Our Lady of Lourdes, where he was named senior male athlete of the year in 2012.
