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Wall scores late to give Capers first title
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Cheryl Wall, UCCB Capers, Soccer
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By T.J. Colello, Cape Breton post
Sydney, NS - Rookie striker Cheryl Wall's goal late in the second half proved to be the winner as the University College of Cape Breton Capers women's soccer team captured their first Atlantic University Sport championship with a 3-1 victory over the Dalhousie Tigers Sunday at UCCB Field.
Wall, of Sydney, connected on a pass from midfielder Brenna Dixon and eluded Dalhousie keeper Robyn Homans to slide it in the empty cage.
"Five minutes earlier I had missed on another open net," said Wall after the victory. "This time, I just told myself to stay calm and it would go in.
"I couldn't ask for a better feeling for my first year of university soccer - it's the best feeling in the world right now."
The AUS championship is the first for the women's soccer program at UCCB and only the third title at the school. The men's basketball team were crowned AUS champs in 1993-94 and 1994-95.
Capers' head coach Ness Timmons said it was a great day for soccer and Cape Breton.
"The fans were terrific, the atmosphere was electrifying and the game was intense all the way to the end," he said. "We've played (Dalhousie) tough for the past number of years so we knew it was going to be a battle."
Timmons said the victory was even sweeter this season. The team lost to the Saint Mary's Huskies in a shootout 1-0 during last year's AUS championship in Halifax.
"For the senior girls here, five of them have been to the playoffs four times," he said. "To have it home in Cape Breton was icing on the cake."
Forward Bobbi Hoffman added an insurance marker at the 90th minute to seal the victory.
Both teams were deadlocked at 1-1 after the first half. The Capers set the tone early with a goal by the league's leading scorer Joanne Delahunt, who struck off a scramble in front of the Dalhousie net less than a minute into the game.
Striker Chrissie Henderson scored the equalizer for the Tigers in the 24th minute.
"After four years and us trying to win every year, this is an amazing way to finish a soccer career at UCCB," said Delahunt, in her last year with the team. "This is definitely the highlight of my career by far.
"(Dalhousie) played really tough and it came down to hard work and determination. I think having home team advantage and our fans here to cheer us on - that's what really helped us out."
Dixon recorded two assists, including one on the winner by Wall. She said defence, however, was a top priority for her team before the game.
"Before we went out, we established that this is our home and no one comes in and takes it away," she said. "I wasn't going to give anything and neither were my teammates."
UCCB downed the St. Francis Xavier X-Women 2-0 in the first semifinal Saturday to advance to the championship. Dalhousie edged the St. Mary's Huskies 1-0 in the other semifinal.
The Capers will now travel to McGill University in Montreal for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport na
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