The reigning champion Acadia Axewomen and the Cape Breton Capers came out of the gate flying on the first weekend of AUS women's soccer action, both earning two victories and six points.
The defending champion Axewomen squad kicked things off Friday night with a rematch of their 2021 championship game, as they faced the StFX X-Women. Acadia opened the scoring early on, as Jayden Boudreau and Grace Longley put the Axewomen ahead by two just 11 minutes into the game. Acadia would go on to win 5-2, with Mya Harnish, Abigail Aucoin and Madicynn Harnish finding the back of the net for the Axewomen, while Amanda Smith and Caitlin Crichton scored for StFX in the loss. Acadia's Grace Somers was named Subway Player of the Game for her efforts.
The Axewomen then went on to post a six-point weekend as they edged the Memorial Sea-Hawks 1-0 Sunday afternoon. After 79 minutes of play, third-year mid-fielder Grace Longley (Bedford, N.S.) finally broke the 0-0 tie with a goal to give the Axewomen a 1-0 win over the Sea-Hawks. Longley's goal was her second of the weekend. Milena Ramirez made five saves in net for Acadia to earn the shutout.
On the strength of two goals apiece from Alliyah Rowe and Paige Allaby, the Capers opened the women's soccer regular season with a decisive 6-0 victory over the UPEI Panthers Saturday afternoon. Other Cape Breton goals came from Rebecca Lambke and Senate Letsie, while Cape Breton goalkeeper Haley Kardas earned a shutout in net.
The Capers then earned the second shutout of the weekend Sunday afternoon, blanking the Saint Mary's Huskies 4-0 at Ness Timmons Field. Rowe scored her third goal of the weekend, while Lambke and Letsie also found the back of the net for the second day in a row. Grace Hannaford added a tally to secure the 4-0 win, while Kardas made three saves to earn her second straight shutout victory.
The Memorial Sea-Hawks split their weekend games, as they earned a 4-0 shutout win over the Aigles Bleues. Memorial goals came from Jamie King, Claire Langille, Zoe Rowe and Kate Hickey, while goalkeeper Sydney Walsh made four saves.
The Huskies also split their weekend games, blanking the Mount Allison Mounties Friday evening. In the final moments of the game, midfielder Anelise Karakostas scored the game-winning goal from an assist by forward Allie Martin to put the Huskies up 1-0. They would hold on to earn the victory. Grace Morrison made five saves in net for the Huskies, earning the shutout.
The UNB Reds played in just one game on the opening weekend, blanking the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues 3-0 Sunday afternoon. Goals in the victory came from Heidi Lauwerijssen, Jillian Larose and Alexandra Hughes-Goyette, while Brynn Nash earned a shutout in net.
The Dalhousie women's soccer team drew with the Mount Allison Mounties by a score of 0-0 Saturday evening at Wickwire Field. Sophie Austin made nine saves in the draw for the Mounties, while Morgan Leon made four saves for the Tigers. Dalhousie's Paris Axam earned the Subway Player of the Game honours.
The STFX X-Women regrouped after an opening season loss by playing to a 3-1 victory over the UPEI Panthers on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at StFX Stadium. Caitlin Crichton, Hannah Yantha and Amanda Smith all recorded tallies in the win, while Mia Martell scored the lone goal for UPEI. The Subway Player of the Game was awarded to X-Women forward Yantha, while the UPEI player of the game was Martell.
Scores:
Friday, Sept. 9
Acadia 5 at StFX 2
Mount Allison 0 Saint Mary's 1
Saturday, Sept. 10
UPEI 0 at Cape Breton 6
Memorial 0 at Moncton 0
Mount Allison 0 at Dalhousie 0
Sunday, Sept. 11
Memorial 0 at Acadia 1
UPEI 1 at StFX 3
Saint Mary's 0 at Cape Breton 4
UNB 3 at Moncton 0