CAPERS primed to vie for AUS crown 

By Corey LeBlanc  

SYDNEY – The Cape Breton University (CBU) women's soccer team – 2023 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) runners-up – are focused on returning to the top of the mountain this season. 

"We are on solid ground, for sure," veteran head coach Stephen "Ness" Timmons said in an interview just a few days after the start of training camp. He described this summer's camp, thus far, as "one of our best ever." Timmons said, "Everyone came in focused – fit and ready to go. We have certainly gotten off on the right foot." 

The CAPERS, winners of the AUS banner in four of the past six conference campaigns, dropped a hard-fought heartbreaker by a score of 2-1 to the rival STFX X-Women in the 2023 championship tilt. The one-goal loss marked the final game in CBU orange for Antigonish native Rebecca Lambke, a former AUS all-star midfielder who captained the CAPERS. 

"Reba (as she was affectionately dubbed by her teammates and coaches) contributed a lot to our program – both on and off the field. We are going to miss her a lot," Timmons offered of the "90-minute player." 

Despite that absence, the CBU mentor noted the Capers boast plenty of experience and leadership on their 2024 roster; led by captains Alliyah Rowe (Kitchener, ON), Ally Wilton (Bedford, NS) and Grace Hannaford (Enfield, NS). 

"They will be our leaders – on and off the field," Timmons said, noting his program brings plenty of "continuity" into the new AUS season.  

Coming off a record-setting 2023 campaign as a senior, the electrifying Ally Rowe – who has returned for her fifth season of eligibility – will spearhead a potent CBU offense that finished second in scoring last season in the conference.  

The vaunted striker – a 1st team All-Canadian – captured her second consecutive AUS most valuable player trophy in 2023. In her historic campaign, Rowe not only shattered the single-season conference scoring mark for women's soccer in the conference – finishing with a U SPORTS' best 25 – but also the all-time career scoring record, finishing with 56 after only four varsity campaigns. She also broke the single-game scoring mark, with six, and then matched it later in the season.   

In 2023, Hannaford – a midfielder – garnered AUS 1st team all-star and U SPORTS 2nd team All-Canadian spots, while Wilton – a defender – fashioned a nod on the AUS second team all-star squad. Wilton helped lead a stingy CBU defense that allowed only 13 goals – the second fewest surrendered in the AUS in 2023. 

"They are going to carry a lot of the weight," Timmons offered of the trio's role in maintaining the CAPERS' tradition of stressing the importance of having a team-first mentality. 

Joining Wilton in leading the way, when it comes to keeping opponents off the score sheet, is sophomore goalkeeper Ellie Lancaster (Fall River, NS). 

"Ellie is coming off a great rookie season. She is going to be a big piece for us," Timmons said of the AUS 1st team all-star selection and U SPORTS all-rookie team member in 2023. 

CBU welcomes six newcomers to the program this season, including a veteran transfer student with deep ties to the local area. 

"She is an all-star caliber player," Timmons offered of Coxheath native Becca LeBlanc. 

After three seasons on the pitch at the U SPORTS' level, including the 2021 and 2022 campaigns with the Acadia Axewomen, this year serves as a homecoming, of sorts, for the talented defender; a chance to don CAPER orange with the program she watched growing up. 

"It's, kind of, a full-circle moment for me," the graduate of Riverview Rural High School said in a previous interview with CBU Athletics. Considering her resume, including as a key player for the Axewomen's conference championship victory in 2021, Timmons anticipates LeBlanc will "contribute right away." 

Noting the "depth of talent" with the remaining student-athletes from the 2024 recruiting class, he explained that their contributions will depend greatly on how they adjust to making the jump to the AUS level. 

"We are certainly pleased with who we have joining our program," Timmons added. When it comes to achieving success in 2024, he explained, "The big thing is being true to our culture – playing as a team." Buying into that approach on and off the field, one that has been so beneficial, he offered that "the wins will come." 

Timmons, not surprisingly, predicts another highly-competitive season in the conference. 

"It is going to be very tight and very tough," he said, suggesting that "anyone can win" in any given game. 

Timmons has high expectations for his CAPERS. 

"We expect to be in the mix for an AUS championship," he said. 

The CAPERS will kick-off 2024 with a pair of pre-season games on the road this weekend, starting with a visit to Halifax to face the Dalhousie Tigers on Saturday, Aug. 24, at 3 p.m., followed by a 1 p.m. match-up with the Acadia Axewomen on Sunday, Aug. 25. 

CBU will open the AUS regular season versus the UNB Reds in Fredericton on Friday, Aug. 30, at 5 p.m., followed by a stop in Charlottetown to face the UPEI Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 1, at 1 p.m. 

Dalhousie will provide the opposition for CBU's regular-season home opener on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m., on the campus turf at Ness Timmons Field.  

To watch these games on AUStv, please visit AUS unveils changes to AUSTV for details on the changes to their viewer access this year.  

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