CAPERS repeat as AUS women’s soccer champions

By Corey LeBlanc

(SYDNEY, N.S.) 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 AUS Women's Soccer Championship, presented by Protocase, on Sunday afternoon at Ness Timmons Field.

Paige Allaby of Rothesay, N.B., scored the championship-winning tally in the 81st minute. The second-team AUS all-star picked up a rebound after Memorial keeper Leana Claude of Grenchen, Solothurn, made a diving save on a strike from Cassie McKinty of Mill Bay, B.C., and deposited the ball into the corner of the net.

After the Sea-Hawks held 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 of Enfield, N.S., the Boston Pizza Player of the Match—Tara Isama of Dundalk, Ont., made no mistake and collected her first marker of the season. Isama, who forms part of the CAPERS' goalkeeping tandem with Ellie Lancaster of Fall River, N.S., contributed throughout the campaign as a forward.

CBU led 1–0 at halftime.

Early in the second half, the Sea-Hawks came out with purpose and were rewarded with the tying goal in the 46th minute off a CBU turnover.

Ellie Power of Portugal Cove, N.L., picked up a loose ball and found the top corner behind Lancaster to make it 1–1.

With Memorial continuing to press, Claire Langille of Windsor Junction, N.S., blazed down the wing and beat her defender before finding Power, whose shot rang off the crossbar and goal post but stayed out of the net.

As the half continued, the Sea-Hawks generated a handful of opportunities, but the CAPERS' defence did not waver.

Audrey Roy of Petit Rocher, N.B., was named the most valuable player of the tournament.

The 2025 title marks the 14th in program history for the CAPERS—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, Ont., from Nov. 6 to 9.