With highlights from K. Bryannah James, UNB Sports Information
The StFX X-Women soccer team wrapped up its season with a 3-0 loss to the Cape Breton University Capers in AUS quarterfinal action Friday afternoon. The Capers scored three goals in the final 20 minutes to earn the win in Fredericton, where the UNB Varsity Reds are hosting the Subway AUS championship tournament.
The X-Women came out strong during the first 45 minutes of play, where their tight defensive line kept the Capers from breaking through to their keeper. StFX defenders Sonia Boucher and Meaghan Ramsden kept the Capers at bay for most of the game, as they continued to shut-down CBU’s offensive players, derailing their run to the net.
“We played well in the first half and came out fairly strong in the second. We seemed to lose a bit of intensity with about 25 minutes left,” X-Women head coach Trevor Reddick said.
“We had a few players that were suffering from nagging injuries the past couple of weeks and were not at 100 percent today,” he added.
The majority of the play for both halves was in the middle of the field, as both teams continued to trade position of the ball, but couldn’t get any breaks towards the net in what turned out to be a very physical first half.
StFX keeper Maris Miller was the anchor of the team, when the Capers did break StFX’s defensive lines, she made some key saves to keep them in the game.
During the second half of play, however, the X-Women began to lose their steam and CBU took full advantage of it.
Instead of kicking the ball and running after it, which the Capers seemed to do during the first half, they changed their style, and after a few passes to the net and a good positioning for clear shots on goal, the Capers secured their first goal in the 71st minute of play as Caper Danielle MacDonald found the back of the net, on an assist from Stacey Elliott.
The X-Women tried to match the score, however CBU keeper Emily Gillet shut down the X-Women, who were riddled with injuries throughout the game.
Nine minutes later, the Capers scored again as AUS Rookie of the Year Karolyne Blain secured the second goal for Cape Breton, increasing the lead to 2-0.
By the last five minutes of play, StFX was unable to capitalize on any chance to close the gap and in the 88th minute of play, Kaelyn Burke sniped the final goal for the Capers, finishing the game with the 3-0 quarterfinal victory.
Gillet recorded the shutout for the Capers, making three saves. Maris Miller made one save for the X-Women.
“Maris played well and could not be blamed for any of the goals,” Reddick said.
“Overall, a decent effort but we just didn't produce enough chances to win the game,” Reddick said.
Cape Breton defender Allison Bell-Davies was named the Subway Player of the Game for her strong efforts in anchoring the Capers defense.
Cape Breton will now move on to face the No. 1 seeded UPEI Panthers in the semi-finals tomorrow at 12:00 pm. In earlier quarterfinal action, the Dalhousie Tigers defeated the host UNB squad 2-0 to advance to the other semi-final game against the No. 2 Saint Mary’s Huskies tomorrow at 2:15 pm. The championship game is slated for Sunday at 2:00.