Blain's return gives Capers added scoring punch

The already surging Cape Breton University Capers women’s soccer team will get another boost this weekend.

The Capers will welcome back forward Karolyne Blain to the lineup. Blain, last year’s top rookie in Atlantic University Sport who finished tied for the conference lead with 13 goals, sat out the past month with an ankle injury.

“It’s hard not to be able to do what you love,” said the Sudbury, Ont., native. “You put so much time into it in the summer to train and at training camp. It’s hard to see the girls play and practice, but at the same time, they’re doing so well, so you have to be able to support them even though you can’t play.”

What’s made Blain’s wait a bit easier is the fact the Capers are getting it done without her.

CBU enters this weekend’s matches against both the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues and Saint Mary’s Huskies with an unbeaten 5-0-2 record for 17 points, and sit tied for first place with the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers (5-1-2).

The Capers have been scoring by committee in Blain’s absence. Three players, Tara Rogers, Danielle MacDonald and Shanice Maxwell, are tied for the team lead with two goals apiece, while six others have bent the twine for a single tally.

“We’ve had our strikers going very well this year, but with (Blain) coming back into the lineup at this point, it’s going to give us an added punch for sure,” said Capers head coach Ness Timmons. “We’ll ease her in. We don’t know what kind of minutes she’ll play in the first game, but hopefully, it’ll build up and she’ll play more of the second game. We have three weeks before playoffs, so we certainly want her in top form in three weeks time.”

The Capers are coming off a pair of draws, Sept. 29-30. They posted 1-1 ties with the University of New Brunswick and St. Francis Xavier.

“Yes, we’re still unbeaten, but we still aren’t playing our best soccer,” said Timmons. “So we have to keep pushing here to get the most out of all the girls.”

Although Blain is back in the lineup, the Capers still have a few players on the injured list. Devon Pierre (ankle), Laurianne Sutton (concussion) and keeper Amanda Budden (elbow) won’t be in action this weekend.

The Capers men’s side is in a battle for a playoff spot. CBU has a record of 2-3-2 with six games remaining, and is tied with two other clubs with eight points for the sixth and final playoff spot.

They’ll look to snap a five-game winless streak this weekend. The Capers men will also welcome back a key player, with fifth-year keeper Andrew Murphy returning to the pitch after recovering from a broken hand.

“We’re taking each weekend as a playoff weekend now,” said Capers men’s coach Robbie Chiasson. “There has to be a sense of urgency on our part to climb up the playoff ladder and take one of those spots.”

Games Saturday against Moncton and Sunday against Saint Mary’s at the Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex are scheduled for 1 p.m. (women) and 3:15 p.m. (men) each day.