(FREDERICTON, NB) The Cape Breton Capers scored a pair of first half goals on route to a 5-0 win over the UNB REDS in Atlantic University Sport women's soccer action, Saturday afternoon.
The game, played at Fredericton's Willie O'Ree Place Complex, was the home opener for the REDS.
The first 30 minutes saw both sides wage a defensive struggle, with the U SPORTS No. 7 ranked Capers holding a slight edge on possession time.
That edge paid off in the 32nd minute when Emma Clark (Centreville, NS) found herself with time in the middle and fired a ball from distance that eluded REDS keeper Brynn Nash (Saskatoon, SK).
"I've been practicing the long shot, so I felt confident with it and thought I'd take a crack at it," said Clark.
The Capers added to their lead just before the half. Alliyah Rowe (Kitchener, ON) made it 2-0.
The visitors kept up their attack in second.
Nash did thwart one push with a diving save at about the 60th minute mark.
In the 77th minute, off a corner kick, Ally Wilton (Bedford, NS) put Cape Breton up 3-0.
The visitors rounded out the scoring in the 81st minute, when Madison Lavers (Halifax, NS) found the back of the net, and the 89th minute, on a goal by Rebecca Lambke (Antigonish, NS).
Clark, scorer of the game-winning goal, was named Subway Player of the Game.
"I think, when they had the ball, we had great defence," said Clark. "We just attacked them, even though we didn't have the ball and forced them to make mistakes."
The REDS were able to pressure the Capers at times in the late stages, but were never able to penetrate the Cape Breton defence.
"That's not how we want to play," said fifth year REDS midfielder Paige Wilson (Fredericton, NB). "They came out strong. They were pressing. But that's something we have to deal with. We have a young squad and we just need to get our confidence built up."
The REDS will have to regroup quickly. UNB hosts the U SPORTS 10th ranked St FX X-Women on Sunday. Game time is 1:00pm.
The Capers visit Moncton.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics