Capers defeat Tigers in AUS women’s soccer action
By Corey LeBlanc
Sydney – The Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (3-0) remain unbeaten in 2024 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women's soccer action after a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the Dalhousie Tigers (0-1-1) on Saturday afternoon at Ness Timmons Soccer Field.
Fifth-year striker Ally Rowe (Kitchener, ON) – the Subway player of the match – scored twice in the victory, giving her a league-best five markers in the early conference regular season.
The hometown Capers pressured the Tigers from the opening kick-off, which led to an early corner kick; one that Makenna Bowser (Bible Hill, NS) deposited deftly into the box and Rowe headed home to make 1-0.
In the 17th minute, the Tigers answered on a goal from striker Elise Evans (Dartmouth, NS) to knot the contest 1-1.
Grace Hannaford (Enfield, NS) – the AUS female athlete of the week to open the campaign – regained the CBU edge in the 23rd minute, on an assist from Ally Rowe.
Late in the first half, from 30 yards out, veteran midfielder Ally Wilton (Bedford, NS) tucked a strike inside the near post behind Dal goalkeeper Emily Toth (Markham, ON) to give the home side a 3-1 advantage.
The Capers took that two-goal lead to the locker room at halftime.
In the early minutes of the second half, Ally Rowe – with her second goal of the match – right-footed a Wilton corner kick into the net to make it 4-1.
In the 52nd minute, after a hand ball call in the box against the Capers, Evans – the Tiger player of the match – bested CBU goalkeeper Ellie Lancaster (Fall River, NS) on a penalty kick to slice the deficit to 4-2.
A short time later, off a corner kick, fifth-year defender Hannah Firstbrook (Nepean, ON) sailed a volley over the crossbar behind Lancaster.
After a sensational run down the wing by Leah Disipio (Ottawa, ON), she found Wilton, who directed the cross on goal by Toth made the stop to keep the Tigers within striking distance.
The Tigers continued to pressure, with Taylor Heard (Ottawa, ON) making a run, but Lancaster made the save on her short-side strike.
Off a free kick, in the 62nd minute, the attempt from defender Meghan Johnston (Dartmouth, NS) floated over the crossbar.
Striker Hillary Ogoke (Calgary, AB) garnered a scoring chance in the 69th minute, but Lancaster turned away the opportunity to maintain CBU's two-goal edge.
In the 71st minute, Disipio made another sensational run before finding Wilton, whose strike trickled just wide of the far post.
Shortly after another failed corner kick, the Tiger trio of Jordan Mansfield (Vancouver, BC), Heard and Sally Steinburg (Ancaster, ON) combined to test the Caper defenders but the sweeping shot from the latter student-athlete was gobbled up by Lancaster.
In the final minute of regulation, off another corner kick, Firstbrook scored off the set-up from Olivia Jack (Stillwater Lake, NS) to slice the CBU lead to 4-3.
In extra time, the Tigers had a golden opportunity to tie the tilt but Lancaster made a sparkling stop on Arianna Rushenas (Toronto, ON) to secure the win.
Lancaster and Toth made eight saves apiece in the match.
The Capers will return to home turf on Sunday, Sept. 8, when they welcome the Acadia Axewomen to Ness Timmons Field, while the Tigers will visit Antigonish to face the STFX X-Women. Kick-off for both matches is 1 p.m. ADT.
-30-