Capers defeat Panthers in AUS women’s soccer opener

SYDNEY, NS—On the strength of two goals apiece from Alliyah Rowe (Kitchener. ON) and Paige Allaby (Rothesay, NB), the hometown Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (1-0-0) opened the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women's soccer regular season with a decisive 6-0 victory over the UPEI Panthers (0-1-0) on Saturday afternoon at Ness Timmons Field.  

The Capers came out strongly, pressuring Panther freshman goalkeeper Claudia Mazzei (Burlington, ON), who had to be sharp and aggressive in keeping the contest scoreless. 

In the 10th minute, Allaby got behind the UPEI back line before taking a feed from Amelia Carlini (Ottawa, ON), who directed the ball from her left to right foot before depositing a low shot into the far corner behind Mazzei. 

Over the next 10 minutes or so, the visitors responded, putting pressure on the Caper defenders. Their best scoring chance came on a transition play, with freshman Lydia Hammil (Searletown, PE) ripping a left-footed strike off the crossbar behind CBU veteran goalkeeper Haley Kardas (Halifax, NS). 

After regaining their footing, the Capers increased their pressure in the UPEI end of the field, including garnering scoring opportunities off three corner-kicks. 

In the 32nd minute, after taking a feed from newcomer Senate Letsie (Maseru, Lesotho), Rowe whistled home her first of the season to make it 2-0. 

Letsie, with her first AUS regular-season marker, gave the Capers a 3-0 edge in the 41st minute. Rowe connected with the speedy midfielder fighting off a defender before lacing a shot that Mazzei could only get a piece of with her left hand. 

In injury time, off a cross-crease feed from Rowe, fifth-year midfielder Rebecca Lambke (Antigonish, NS) chipped in a left-footer to make it 4-0 at halftime.  

In the second half, the Capers smothering attack prevented the young Panthers from mustering a consistent offensive attack. If they bested the CBU defense in any way, Kardas barred the door. 

In the 60th minute – off a pass from freshman Makenna Bower (Bible Hill, NS) – Rowe notched her second marker of the contest, which extended their advantage to 5-0. 

Allaby, with her second of the match, capped off the scoring with a highlight-reel effort that involved two other teammates. After midfielder Grace Hannaford (Enfield, NS) sent a nifty through ball to veteran Fatou Ndiaye (Pierrefonds, QC), she made a picture-perfect cross to Allaby. Sandwiched between a pair of Panther defenders, she directed a header inside the right goal post to make it 6-0. 

Kardas made one save as part of the team 'D' shutout, while Mazzei turned aside six shots – many of which were of the quality variety.  

The impressive Caper victory came in their first regular-season home match on the newly minted Ness Timmons Field, which honours the veteran mentor of CBU women's program. 

Both teams will return to action Sunday, Sept. 11, with the Panthers travelling to Antigonish to face the STFX X-Women, while the Capers will welcome the Saint Mary's Huskies. 

Kick-off for each match-up is 1 p.m. 

RECAP BY: Corey LeBlanc CBU Sports Informatiom / PHOTOS BY: Vaughan Merchant