Record breaking Rowe,

Record breaking Rowe

CBU striker eclipses career scoring record in AUS women's soccer

By Corey LeBlanc

MONCTON – Alliyah 'Ally' Rowe is the all-time regular season goal leader in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women's soccer.

With a sensational six-goal effort on Saturday afternoon in a convincing 8-1 victory for the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers over the host Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues, the fourth-year striker set the new mark in dramatic fashion.   

"It was a great accomplishment for me, and even better that I got to do it with this great group of girls," Rowe said after the victory.

Entering the day with 50 goals in her stellar career, Rowe leapfrogged the sensational Dr. Karolyne Blain – a CBU Athletics alumni – who held the mark with 53. She is now at the top of the scoring mountain, with 56.

"I felt like there was a possibility of breaking the record today, but you never really know; anything can happen in soccer," Rowe offered.

 Her record-setting tally came in the 56^th minute.  

 "The defender had a poor clearance, and my first thought was go for goal, so I went for the volley," Rowe described.

 Reaching the top spot on the AUS all-time scoring list is just the latest achievement in her assault on the conference record book this season.

 Rowe, with the six-pack on Saturday, tied the one-game scoring record that she set less than one week ago in a 6-0 road victory over the Mount Allison Mounties on Oct.   15, a performance that veteran CBU head coach Stephen 'Ness' Timmons described as "magical."

 On that day, the 2022 AUS most valuable player also broke Blain's mark for goals (16) in one AUS regular season. She finished the record-setting campaign with 25 goals.

 Rowe also tops USPORTS in goals (25) and points (28).

 "It was a great day for her – another tremendous performance," Timmons told CBU Athletics, in a phone interview, shortly after the victory.

 He agreed that one of the keys to her success has been her versatility.

 "Ally can score in so many different ways," Timmons added, noting her speed, ability with both feet, head and one-on-one – just to name a few of her offensive weapons.

 The veteran CBU mentor also credited Rowe's teammates for their effort.

 "They knew that she was chasing the record, and they really wanted her to get it," Timmons said.

 And, as they have been all season, her teammates were integral to her reaching the final milestone.

 "Honestly, I couldn't have done it without the support of my team – they build me up, cheer me on and create the opportunities for me to finish," Rowe explained.

 Noting that he wasn't downplaying the all-time record, Timmons said her new single season mark (25) shattered Blain's (16) by nine goals.

"That's huge," he offered.

Describing the joy as everyone celebrated Rowe's accomplishment, Timmons said, "Everyone is very happy for her."

If she decides to don Caper orange for a fifth season, Rowe will have the opportunity to add to that impressive total in 2024.

With their 10-1-1 record, the Capers finished second in the AUS regular season standings, trailing only the STFX X-Women (12-0-0), who were perfect in conference play in 2023.

Both teams will receive byes into the semifinal round of the 2023 AUS Women's Soccer Championship – presented by Bell – which CBU will host, from Thursday, Oct. 26 to Sunday, Oct. 29, at Ness Timmons Field on the Sydney campus.

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