Top Rowe: All-Canadian puts finishing touches on record-breaking season

By Corey LeBlanc

HALIFAX – Alliyah Rowe not only shared the end of another record-breaking regular season in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) with her beloved Cape Breton University (CBU) CAPERS' teammates and coaches, but also a legendary student-athlete whose mark for career goals in the conference she eclipsed earlier this month.

"It was an amazing opportunity," the fifth-year striker said of spending time with Ross Webb, who she described as the GOAT, on Saturday evening when the CAPERS visited the Saint Mary's Huskies in Halifax.

Heading into this season, Webb – a native of Portsmouth, England, and a former Saint Mary's standout striker – topped the all-time scoring list, for both women and men, with 72 goals, over a stellar five-year stint in Maroon and White from 1978-1982.

Although Rowe was coming off a sensational campaign in 2023, one in which she shattered the women's single-season and career marks for goals, with 25 and 56, respectively, Webb's record seemingly remained untouchable.

But, for the second consecutive season, the Kitchener, Ontario native fashioned a masterpiece on offense, tallying 21 goals to finish with a career mark of 77, which catapulted beyond Webb. Her final two markers coming, with Webb in the stands, to lead the CAPERS to a 2-0 shutout over the Huskies. With that victory, CBU capped an unbeaten season – at 10-0-2 – and a first-place finish in the conference.

"I was able to watch the greatest scorer in our conference play live. I enjoyed it tremendously," Webb, who continues to hold the AUS and U SPORTS single-game and season record for goals, with eight and 37, respectively, said.

When asked what impressed him about Rowe, he declined to answer.

"I could tell you so much about her game, but that shouldn't happen before they head to playoffs; opposition coaches can try to figure out what, hopefully, can work for them," he explained.

Before watching her play, CBU Head Coach Stephen "Ness" Timmons introduced Webb – a former opponent and teammate; not to mention a long-time friend – to Rowe and her CAPER teammates. The prolific scorers also posed for a photo.

After the CBU victory, Webb said – noting the "mics were on" – they had a longer conversation in the Saint Mary's sports hall of fame.

"We talked more about her accomplishments – and the differences between both of ours, due to being over four decades apart," he added, along with "changes in skill" and the wider resources available now, such as fitness coaches.

Rowe said she will always remember the time they shared.

"He is a very down-to-earth, humble guy, who not only gave me praise, but also insight on how the game has developed. It was not only an honour getting to meet him, but also to hear the wisdom he had to pass down, and the stories from his time as a player," she added.

Because she was "focused on our team and its success," Rowe said she "wasn't thinking too much about [Webb's record]" heading into this season. But, that doesn't mean she was unaware of the feat; she came across it with one of her teammates from the CBU men's team.

"We thought that he must have been unreal," she remembered of that soccer conversation.

Acknowledging that Webb's mark was "mind-blowing," she also realized it was within striking distance if she had another strong 2024 campaign.

Timmons, who was also playing university soccer when Webb set his record more than 40 years ago, remembered how it was thought to be "unbreakable," while describing it as a Wayne Gretzky-like accomplishment.

"Ross embarrassed me a few times," the veteran CBU mentor quipped of the 2010 Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame inductee and his unbelievable talent.  

As for if and when Rowe's record is surpassed, Timmons offered, "Who knows?"

Simply the best

What Timmons does know is Rowe has cemented her legacy as one of the best soccer players – male or female – to lace up cleats in the AUS.

Rowe burst on the scene in 2019, topping the AUS in goals – with 14 – which placed her second in the country. She earned first-team AUS and All-Canadian nods during a season in which the CAPERS captured a conference championship banner. And, like Webb, she captured the AUS and national rookie-of-the-year awards.

Over the next three campaigns, which were interrupted by a lost one due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Rowe collected three AUS first-team all-star selections, back-to-back conference MVP awards and two more first-team All-Canadian nods.

As for her recently completed fifth and final regular season, Rowe led the AUS in goals (21), points (23), game-winning goals (6) and shots (53).

"Ally has done it year in and year out," Timmons said.

Describing her as "resilient," he praised Rowe's ability to score even though she is the "most heavily marked" player in the conference.

Agreeing that it is easier to slow down one-dimensional scorers, Timmons explained having the ability to find the back of the net "in a variety of ways" sets Rowe apart from others.

And, like most dynamic strikers, he added, "Ally just has a knack for getting open and being in the right spot."

Timmons is equally as proud of her development on both sides of the ball; not to mention her growth as a "role model and leader."

He noted his second-year team captain has contributed in a variety of ways as a leader; not only in helping her teammates, especially younger student-athletes, but also through her willingness to do whatever she has to for the CAPERS to be successful, including moving from striker to the midfield on occasion.

"Ally is one of our best ball distributors," Timmons said, in commenting on her effectiveness in that sort of alignment.

'Practice how you play'

Rowe also takes pride in the development of her all-around game, including becoming "more vocal" – on and off the field.

"I think I have developed so much as a leader," she said.

Rowe added she is "so happy with the development of my soccer IQ."

As for the common thread in her five seasons donning CAPER orange – a recipe for success, if you will – for Rowe is "to practice how you play."

She added, "Give it your all like it is your last game, your last time on the field," when asked about keys to success, particularly during these past two record-breaking seasons, including securing the all-time scoring mark.

Rowe noted she is humbled by the reaction to that accomplishment.

"Everyone is so proud – it is pretty cool," she said, noting the many people who have reached out.

That fan club, of course, includes her family and friends in Kitchener. Although they do not see many matches in person, they always take advantage of the opportunity to tune in.

"I could not have done any of this without them," Rowe stressed.

She said she is "extremely proud" to be in the conversation with so many great AUS student-athletes – such as Webb – who have set such a "high standard."

As for how her individual success has gone hand-in-hand with CBU's spot at the top of the hunt for an AUS banner each year, she described it as "really cool to see."

She added, "None of this happens without the support of my coaches and teammates."

Championship focus

Rowe and the CAPERS will embark on what means the most to her this season – like everyone before it – winning an AUS banner.

With their first-place finish, CBU secured a first-round bye in the 2024 AUS Women's Soccer Championship, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 24 to Sunday, Oct. 27, hosted by the STFX X-Women at STFX Stadium in Antigonish.

The CAPERS will take the pitch in a semi-final match on Friday, Oct. 25.

Even though CBU has an opening round bye, Rowe noted that "nothing will be easy" in what she predicted would be a highly competitive tournament.

"We have to be ready to play," she said – both mentally and physically – for the CAPERS to capture an AUS crown, the third in her glittering five-year career.

Rowe added, "I know we are going to be ready and give it our best shot."

The CAPERS are focused on coupling a conference banner victory with a trip to the U SPORTS national championship tournament, which will take place at Dalhousie Tigers in Halifax, from Thursday, Nov. 7 to Sunday, Nov. 10.

-30-