The Cape Breton University Capers women’s soccer team enter the 2009 Atlantic University Sport season as favourites for the championship and are in search of a fifth consecutive conference title and sixth in seven years. The Capers have become a dynasty since the start of the decade and head into their home opener this weekend currently ranked 7th in the nation. The Capers spent the opening two weekends of the season on the road with matches in Halifax and Newfoundland.
They came out of what is always a difficult matchup against the Memorial University Seahawks last weekend with a share of the spoils, both teams earning 1-0 wins.Opening weekend in Halifax saw the Capers draw 0-0 in their first match against their old foes and main rivals the Dalhousie Tigers. After completing a successful first weekend away from home with a 3-0 win over the Saint Mary’s University Huskies, the Capers will look to take maximum points from this weekend with the vist of UNB(0-4-0) Saturday and what could prove a pivotal clash against Moncton who are currently level on points with CBU on Sunday. This weekend’s matches will be the debut for the newly constructed artificial surface at Cape Breton University. The field is one of the first pieces of the Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex currently under development behind Cape Breton University.
The strength of the team will inevitably lie in its spine, composed entirely of Cape Breton players with Jessica MacDermid (5th yr) in goal, Alyssa Kavnaugh (3rd yr) in the centre of defence, and Kiley Snow and Hannah Abenheimer (both 5th yr) providing steel and vision in midfield. CBU’s ability to add exciting rookies to their ranks each season continues with big contributions expected from new faces Alyssa Budhoo and Robbyn MacNeill.
The Capers are historically strong defensively and that stability will continue this year with last season’s backline intact. One area the Capers may struggle, compared to years past, is in front of goal with the loss of all time leading scorer Kristina Weatherbee who completed her five years of eligibility in 2008. The coaching staff will look to second year forward Erika Lannon to increase her goal tally this season with the rest of the forward line and midfield chipping in.
The Cape Breton University women’s soccer team play the University of New Brunswick Saturday at 3:00pm and the University de Moncton Sunday at 1:00pm
Squad list and coaching staff available at: http://www.gocapersgo.ca/
