Capers shutout Huskies in AUS women’s soccer action

By Corey LeBlanc / SYDNEY, NS

The Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (2-0-0) scored a 4-0 shutout victory over the visiting Saint Mary's Huskies (1-1-0) in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women's soccer action on Sunday afternoon at Ness Timmons Field.

In a highly entertaining opening half, the visitors came out strongly, garnering a quality scoring chance in the opening two minutes. Forward Allie Martin (Halifax, NS) set up Virginia Boone (Halifax, NS), who put a low left-footed shot behind a diving Caper goalkeeper Haley Kardas (Halifax, NS), but the ball rang off the post.

The Capers collected their first scoring opportunity in the 12^th minute, when Alliyah Rowe (Kitchener, ON) ripped a sizzling strike from just outside the box, but Saint Mary's keeper Grace Morrison (Halifax, NS) soared to deflect the blast over the cross bar.

Five minutes later, Allie Martin (Halifax, NS) tested Kardas, who made a diving save to keep the contest scoreless.

After taking a feed from Rowe, first-year Caper Senate Letsie (Maseru, Lesotho) was fouled in the penalty area. Fifth-year senior Rebecca Lambke (Antigonish, NS) took the penalty kick and placed her shot inside the right post; just avoiding the fingertips of a lunging Morrison in the 20^th minute.

In the 24^th minute, Kardas made another diving stop on a hard shot from Martin to maintain the 1-0 Caper advantage.

With an electrifying individual effort from Letsie, who eluded four Saint Mary's defenders before besting Morrison with a strike, the Capers doubled their edge to 2-0 in the 39th minute.

Despite falling behind by a pair, the Huskies answered; with Molly McLeod (Kamloops, BC) making a cross in close quarters that Anelise Karakostas (Victoria, BC) put her shot off the same goal post that thwarted Boone.

Madlyn Blinn (Lower Sackville, NS) challenged Kardas with a late strike, but the Capers headed to the locker room with a 2-0 edge.

In the second half, the Huskies came out looking to carve into the deficit, but the Capers showed their defensive prowess.

In the 58^th minute, Rowe – the Subway player of the game – scored on a free- kick from just outside the box.

For the rest of the second stanza, Saint Mary's was unable to muster the same attack that produced several scoring chances in the first half, including hitting two goal posts.

Freshman midfielder Grace Hannaford (Enfield, NS) wrapped up the scoring for the Capers with a penalty kick in extra time.

Kardas and Chloe Parsons (Balls Creek, NS) combined for the victory, making three saves, while Morrison turned aside two Caper shots.

Both teams will return to action Saturday, Sept. 17, with the Huskies travelling to Charlottetown to face the UPEI Panthers – in a 1 p.m. start – while the Capers will head for St. John's for a pair of weekend match-ups with the Memorial Sea-Hawks.

Kick-off for the Caper-Sea-Hawk match-up is 1 p.m. NDT (12:30 p.m. ADT).