CAPERS repeat at AUS women’s soccer championship
CBU to represent conference at nationals in Hamilton
By Corey LeBlanc
SYDNEY – The Cape Breton University (CBU) CAPERS defeated the Memorial University Sea-Hawks 2-1 to capture their second consecutive conference title at the 2025 Bell Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Women's Soccer Championship – presented by Protocase – on Sunday afternoon at Ness Timmons Field.
Paige Allaby (Rothesay, NB) scored the championship winning tally in the 81st minute. The second-team AUS all-star picked up the rebound after Memorial keeper Leana Claude (Grenchen, Solothurn) made a diving save on a strike from Cassie McKinty (Mill Bay, BC), and deposited the ball into the corner of the net.
After the Sea-Hawks had the early territorial advantage, the CAPERS responded in a back-and-forth first half.
In the 32nd minute – on a great run and cross from first-team AUS all-star Grace Hannaford (Enfield, NS), the Boston Pizza player of the match, Tara Isama (Dundalk, ON), made no mistake and collected her first marker of the season. Isama, who makes up the CAPERS' goalkeeping tandem with Ellie Lancaster (Fall River, NS), contributed throughout the campaign as a forward.
CBU led 1-0 at halftime.
Early in the second half, the Sea-Hawks came out with a purpose and were rewarded with the tying goal in the 46th minute, off a CBU turnover.
Ellie Power (Portugal Cove, NL) picked up a loose ball and found the top corner behind Lancsater to make it 1-1.
With Memorial continuing to press, Claire Langille (Windsor Junction, NS) blazed down the wing and beat her defender before finding Power, her shot ringing off the crossbar and goal post, but staying out of the net.
As the half continued, the Sea-Hawks garnered a handful of opportunities but the CAPERS' defense did not waver.
Audrey Roy (Petit Rocher, NB) of CBU was named the most valuable player of the tournament.
The 2025 title is the 14th for the CAPERS' program, the most in AUS women's soccer history.
CBU will represent the AUS at the 2025 U SPORTS Women's Soccer Championship, hosted by McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, from Nov. 6-9.
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