(SYDNEY, N.S.) - Overcoming an early injury and an early deficit, the defending AUS champion Cape Breton University Capers roared back for a 5-2 victory over the Saint Mary's Huskies in AUS women's soccer action Sunday in Sydney.
The Capers lost fifth-year keeper Tiffany O'Donnell, an AUS first team all-star last season, to injury following a collision just 13 minutes into the contest, which also resulted in the Huskies first goal by Lindsay Millett.
With second-year keeper Lysiann Trottier tending the goal, the Capers offence found their stride shortly after with reigning AUS MVP Karolyne Blain knotting the score 1-1 in the 16th minute.
Defender Kara MacKinnon would give the home side a 2-1 lead just nine minutes later when she headed home a corner kick in the 25th minute.
Rookie Keona Simmonds would record her first as a Caper in the 45th minute, touching home a perfect feed from Blain to send the Capers into halftime with a 3-1 lead.
Former AUS rookie of the year Chelsea Currie would make it 4-1 for Cape Breton in the 75th minute when she finished off a superb cross from rookie Kelsey Hand.
Hand would figure in the final CBU goal minutes later, finishing off a feed from Blain after the Capers fourth-year striker made a full-field dash past the Huskies defenders in the 82nd minute.
Millett would close out the game's scoring moments later, beating Trottier in the Cape Breton goal in the 83rd minute.
Trottier would earn the win in the Capers goal while Jackie Blank suffered the loss for Saint Mary's despite finishing with 12 saves.
Cape Breton will be on the road next weekend when they travel to New Brunswick for games at UNB Saturday and Moncton Sunday.
Saint Mary's will host Dalhousie Saturday in their second home game of the season.
Source: Cape Breton University Sports Information