CBU edges Acadia 2-1 in AUS women’s soccer semi-final
SYDNEY – Sparked by an MVP-type performance from striker Ally Rowe (Kitchener, ON), including two goals, the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers defeated the Acadia Axewomen in a semi-final match at the 2023 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Women's Soccer Championship – presented by Bell – on Friday evening at Ness Timmons Field on campus.
With the victory, the Capers will play for a conference banner on Sunday – at 1 p.m. ADT – versus the top-seeded STFX X-Women.
In a high-energy, back-and-forth opening half, conference second-team all-star Abby Aucoin (Dartmouth, NS), perched near the far post, volleyed a cross that sailed wide behind Caper keeper Ellie Lancaster (Fall River, NS).
In the seventh minute, the AUS first-team all-star for CBU made a great stop on a hard strike from Alli Kelly (Dartmouth, NS) to keep it scoreless.
Rowe gave the home side a 1-0 edge, when she deftly put a left-footed volley behind Acadia keeper Milena Ramirez (Wolfville, NS), off a picture perfect cross from freshman forward Leah Disipio (Ottawa, ON).
Less than one minute later – in the 10th – Grace Longley (Bedford, NS) put a shot short side that Lancaster got her hands on, but the ball trickled over the goal line to knot the contest 1-1.
In the 13th minute, Aucoin took a lead pass and sped into the zone, but Caper defender Makenna Bowser (Bible Hill, NS) caught up to her before she could get a quality shot on Lancaster.
Off a long ball from Amy-Anne Ndiaye (Ile-Bizard, QC), Rowe soared for a header, but Ramirez corralled the deflection that was pointed towards the top corner.
In the 39th minute, after a tremendous run from Disipio, she fed Rowe on the edge of the 18-yard box, who laced a strike inside the far post behind Ramirez to restore the one-goal Caper advantage.
Fifth-year senior Rebecca Lambke (Antigonish, NS) initiated a handful of scoring chances for CBU as they attempted to extend their lead.
Looking for the equalizer, Aucoin took a long pass from Sydney Kennedy (Fletchers Lake), but she could not beat Lancaster with a hard blast.
The Capers led 2-1 at halftime.
In the 55th minute, CBU threatened to double their advantage when Bowser and Rowe combined, but Georgia Hamnett (Coquitlam, BC) made a top-notch defensive play.
The Axewomen collected their best scoring chance of the second half, in the 61st minute, but Lancaster made an electrifying save on Aucoin from point blank range.
In the 76th minute, Kelly's left-footed strike for the Axewomen curled towards the top corner but sailed over the crossbar.
Rowe almost sealed the deal, in stoppage time, when she stroked a left-footed shot just wide of the goal post, after making a spectacular first touch inside the 18-yard box.
Acadia garnered some late possession, but they were unable to threaten Lancaster and the Caper defense.
The Axewomen outshot the Capers 20-12, including 12-6 in shots on goal.
Rowe earned the nod as player of the match.
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