Capers edge Reds 3-2 in AUS women’s soccer action

By Corey LeBlanc 

Sydney, NS – The Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers (9-2-0) defeated the visiting UNB Reds (2-5-4) 3-2 in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women's soccer action on Thursday evening at Ness Timmons Field. 

Subway player of the match Alliyah Rowe (Kitchener, ON), with her conference-leading 10th goal and a highlight reel assist, led the home team to the hard-fought victory. 

In a tightly contested opening half, striker Alexandra Hughes-Goyette (Garibaldi Highlands, BC) collected a ball in the box, but her shot deflected off a CBU defender before reaching goalkeeper Haley Kardas (Halifax, NS). 

Senate Letsie (Maseru, Lesotho) and Paige Allaby (Rothesay, NB) garnered consecutive scoring chances for the Capers, but they could not solve Brynn Nash (Saskatoon, SK) and her UNB defense. 

In the 25th minute, Rowe gave the home side a 1-0 edge on a great individual effort. After taking a first touch with her chest, the Caper forward laced a volleyball into the right top corner behind Nash. 

Aurora Hughes-Goyette (Garibaldi Highlands, BC) – a short time later – had a chance to knot the contest, but she didn't get a quality blast away after getting behind the Caper 'D', which allowed Kardas to make an easy stop. 

In extra time, the Reds notched the tying marker off a free-kick opportunity, with Jessie Bellamy (St. Catharines, ON) finding sophomore striker Heidi Lauwerijssen (Kensington, PE), who place a left-footed strike into the near corner behind Kardas. 

The sides were deadlocked 1-1- heading into the locker room at halftime. 

In the early moments of the second half, Bellamy had a chance to break the tie – off a free kick – but her shot sailed over the crossbar. 

In the 48th minute, Letsie tested Nash, who dove to her left to make a sensational stop. 

Two minutes later – Letsie electrified the crowd with a run to just outside the 18-yard box, where she unleashed a strike that tucked inside the near goal post behind Nash, with an assist going to Makenna Bowser (Bible Hill). 

In the 54th minute, the Reds – off a corner kick – had an opportunity to pull even, but Rowe showed her defensive chops by soaring to head away the ball. 

Letsie continued her breathtaking second-half performance, with a hard shot, and then Bowser uncoiled a spinning blast that UNB's defender Bush blocked bravely. 

In the 74th minute, Sydney native Julia Currie came within inches of tying the contest for her Reds, but Kardas soared to get her right hand on the shot, which sent it off the crossbar and out of play. 

A short time later, the Capers made it 3-1 on a goal from Bowser. 

Rowe, who started the play, eluded a pair of UNB defenders in the 18-yard box before ripping a shot that Nash deflected away with her right hand; Bowser pounced on the rebound and deposited a left-footed volley into the yawning cage. 

In the 83rd minute, on an assist by Kristin Hayward (Rothesay, NB), Currie sliced the CBU advantage in half, while playing with one fewer player. 

In the closing minutes, the Reds could not complete the comeback, and the Capers secured the victory. 

Both teams will return to action on Friday, Oct. 28, when the Capers welcome the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues, while the Reds travel stop in Antigonish to face the STFX X-Women. 

Kick-off for each match is 5 p.m.