Rowe scores four goals as Capers defeat Huskies 4-0
Recap by Samarth Behl / Saint Mary’s Huskies Athletics
HALIFAX, NS – Capers forward Alliyah Rowe scored four goals as Cape Breton defeated the Saint Mary's Huskies 4-0 on Sunday, in front of 314 fans at Huskies Stadium in Halifax.
As the game started, the Capers looked for an early goal with relentless attack and constant pressure, but the Huskies defence held strong with keeper Grace Morrison (Halifax, NS) being tested a couple of times and making great saves with quick reflexes to deny the Capers attack and keep Huskies in the game.
Capers attacking efforts finally paid off in the 16th minute when Lauren Rowe (Conception Bay, NL) played a pinpoint through ball to Alliyah Rowe (Kitchener, ON) who took a lightning shot and scored past the goalkeeper, giving the Capers a 1-0 lead.
The Capers attacking threats didn't stop, and in the 29th minute, Alliyah Rowe doubled the Capers lead by scoring a great finish past the Huskies defence, making the score 2-0 at half-time.
Huskies started the second half strong, building a couple of attacking chances but unable to finish past the goalkeeper. But the highlight of the first few minutes of the second half came when the visitors had the chance to score the third goal and seal the game when Alliyah Rowe made a great solo run and unleashed a powerful shot that just missed the net and hit the crossbar in the 55th minute.
Alliyah Rowe completed her hat-trick when Grace Hannaford (Enfield, NS) played a top-notch pass to her and she calmly finished it past the goalkeeper with ease in the 69th, putting the Capers up 3-0.
Just four minutes later, Rowe would strike again, as defender Makena Bowser (Bible Hill, NS) played a sumptuous lofted cross in the box finding Alliyah Rowe who scored a beautiful header in the top corner, making the score 4-0 and cementing their victory on away ground.
The Huskies had the chance to reduce the deficit in the 85th minute when Erin Freeman (Halifax, NS) played a textbook through ball to Lindy Brunelle (Keswick, On) who took a shot on target but was unable to score past Capers goalkeeper Ellie Lancaster (Fall River, NS).
The player of the match went to Alliyah Rowe who found the back of the net four times, playing an extremely crucial role in the victory for the visitors.
The Huskies (1-4-1) will next look to bounce back against the UNB Reds on Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. at Huskies Stadium, while the Capers (5-1-0) will look to increase their winning streak against UPEI Panthers on Sept. 29 in Sydney, N.S.