CBU defeats Moncton 4-1 in AUS women’s soccer action

By Corey LeBlanc

Sydney, NS – The Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers women's soccer team (10-2-0) wrapped up the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) regular season with a convincing 4-1 victory over the visiting Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues (0-12-0) on Friday evening at Ness Timmons Field. 

It was senior night at CBU – with six Caper student-athletes honoured for their contributions and dedication to the women's soccer program and university prior to the opening kick-off, including Fatou Ndiaye (Pierrefonds, QC), Emma Clark (Centreville, NS), Rebecca Lambke (Antigonish, NS), Abby MacNeil (New Waterford), Amelia Carlini (Ottawa, ON) and Haley Kardas (Halifax, NS).

One of the honorees – fifth-year midfielder Lambke – opened the scoring in the second minute, when her corner kick handcuffed Moncton goalkeeper Chelsea Burnham (St. Jean, NB) before trickling inside the near goal post to make it 1-0.

In the 11^th minute, CBU forward Alliyah Rowe (Kitchener, ON) tucked a shot inside the left goal post to double the edge to 2-0.

Hometown product Chloe MacPherson (Lingan, NS) almost gave the Capers a 3-0 lead, but Burnham made a diving stop on the blast from 22 yards.

A short time later, Grace Hannaford (Enfield, NS) tripled the CBU advantage with a sizzling strike that beat a soaring Burnham underneath the crossbar. 

Looking for her second of the contest, Burnham got her left hand on a Rowe shot and deflected the ball over the crossbar and out of play.

In the 43^rd minute, Rowe notched her second – and AUS-leading 12^th marker of the campaign – when she put a left-footed first touch to her right before besting Burnham. MacNeil notched a stellar assist on the play, finding her teammate in close quarters.

The Capers led 4-0 at halftime.

In the second half, Moncton tightened its defense in front of a Caper line-up that used several substitutions.

Nevertheless, CBU continued to test the visitors – particularly Burnham, who turned aside Makenna Bowser (Bible Hill, NS) in the 71^st minute, after she took a nifty feed from MacNeil.

While steadying the ship defensively, the visitors were unable to generate much offense. 

In the 82^nd minute, Moncton scored the lone goal of the second half, when Gelsomina Vanderhooft lofted a long shot that CBU goalkeeper Chloe Parsons (Balls Creek, NS) could only deflect before it tinkled the twine under the crossbar. 

Rowe, with her two-goal effort, was named the Subway player of the match. 

The Capers have earned a spot in the conference playoffs, while Moncton has been eliminated.

The 2022 Subway Atlantic University Sport Women's Soccer Championship – hosted by Acadia University – will take place from Nov. 2-5 in Wolfville. 

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