CAPERS defeat X-Women to move to the AUS semifinals

By Corey LeBlanc

SYDNEY – The defending champion and host Cape Breton University (CBU) CAPERS (#3) rallied in the second half to score a thrilling 2-1 victory over the rival STFX X-Women (#6) in the second quarterfinal match of the 2025 Bell Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Women's Soccer Championship, presented by Protocase, at CBU's Ness Timmons Field on Thursday evening.

Trailing 1-0 entering the second half, the Capers knotted the contest in the 76^th minute, when AUS second-team all-star Paige Allaby (Rothesay, NB), from in tight, deposited a header under the cross bar, on a great pass from Audrey Roy (Petit Rocher, NB), who saved the ball from heading out of play on the end line.

Shortly after the CAPERS notched the equalizer, the X-Women had a golden opportunity to regain the edge but keeper Ellie Lancaster (Fall River, NS) – an AUS first-team all-star – soared to deflect a hard strike over the cross bar to maintain the 1-1 tie.

Off a throw-in from Leah Disipio (Ottawa, ON), in the 85^th minute, Olivia Albright (Ottawa, ON) put a rainbow volley into the far top corner behind X-Women keeper Sarah Bach (Calgary, AB) to give the CAPERS their first advantage.

While exerting pressure on the X-Women 'D', the CAPERS carried the territorial advantage in the first half of the opening half, but they could not get on the scoreboard, despite causing several turnovers.

The first quality scoring chance came off a STFX corner kick, with Lancaster making a key save on her goal line.

Moments later, Grace Hannaford (Enfield, NS), a first-team all-star, tested Bach – the first-year keeper for the X-Women – who was able to make the stop.

Midway through the opening half, on the counterattack, Ava Elgood (Almonte, ON) sent in Aidan Miller (Chilliwack, BC), but Lancaster made a sensational stop with her left leg to keep the match scoreless.

Nevertheless, that chance seemed to spark the X-Women, who started to flex their offensive muscles.

After making a great run in the open field, Makenna Bowser (Bible Hill, NS) laced a left-footed strike that rang off the goal post behind Bach.

A short time later, in the 40^th minute, Elgood found Avril Jamieson (Calgary, AB) – the AUS rookie of the year – who eluded a charging Lancaster with a deft left-footed first touch and then deposited the ball into the gaping net with her right to break the seal on the scoring.

Albright was named the Boston Pizza player of the match.

With the victory, the CAPERS (#3) move on to the semi-final round, where they will face the second-seeded UNB Reds (#2) on Friday, Oct. 24, at 4 p.m.

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