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The HFX Wanderers’ loss will be the Cape Breton Capers’ gain.

It was announced earlier this week that 23-year-old defender Peter Schaale will leave the Canadian Premier League club and return to Cape Breton University to complete his business degree. He’ll immediately step in with the Capers, a team he captured three straight Atlantic university championships and a national title in 2017.

His final match with the Wanderers will be at home Saturday afternoon (2 p.m.) against Calgary-based Cavalry FC in front of what should be a raucous Wanderers Grounds crowd. The Wanderers are 2-5-0 in the fall season while the Cavalry are 3-0-1.

“It is definitely a bittersweet feeling heading into tomorrow’s game,” Schaale said in an interview on Friday. “Obviously it’s sad to leave halfway through the fall season. It kind of feels like I’m leaving some unfinished business. But at the same time, we have a great set up at Cape Breton. I’m looking forward to getting back to work with my team up there and my coaches. There are some great people up there.”

Schaale, who has two years of university eligibility remaining, said the upcoming AUS season — his fourth — will be his last with the Capers. He’ll graduate next spring.

Cape Breton opens the 2019 AUS campaign on Sept. 7 at home against the UNB Reds.

The reigning Atlantic conference MVP, who led CBU to a national silver medal last season, said he returns to the Capers a better player and better person.

“It’s definitely a different level of football and a different style,” said Schaale, who hails from Bernkastel-Kues, Germany. “The pro level is definitely quicker and more physical and then you add the number of fans and media, there’s more pressure than the university level. Hopefully I can bring back that experience to my teammates and help the team.

“I’ve grown a lot as a player on the pitch because the level is different. You have to make the decisions quicker, you have less time on the ball and you have more pressure. There are a lot of stuff I have improved on. Also the practising and the professional environment on a daily basis, I think, has helped me a lot.

“And personally, I think I have grown as a person. I came in here and it turned out I had to take more a leadership role with this team. I think that was good for me to prove myself to this league, to the team and to the coaches. It has given me loads of confidence as a player. I think things have turned out pretty good for me here.”

The six-foot-three centre back, who the Wanderers’ selected fifth overall in the inaugural U Sports draft, served as team captain on several occasions and was a steady presence on Halifax’s defence, appearing in 21 CPL and Canadian Championship games.

Wanderers head coach Stephen Hat said Schaale adapted well to the pro game.

“Peter has been a big part of the team both on and off the field,” Hart said earlier this week. “We’re sad to see him go but we do believe his education is important.”

The door is open for Schaale to return to the Wanderers next season.

“I want to jump at a full-time football position after graduation,” Schaale said.

For now, he has an important match to prepare for on Saturday.

“The preparations are the same and the mindset is the same,” Schaale said. “It doesn’t really change because it’s my last game. Me leaving seems so far away but here it is, the game is tomorrow. It’ll be different for sure, knowing it will be my last game. I’ll definitely enjoy the atmosphere and obviously I want to go out on a good note and get a win against an elite team like Calgary.”