Sydney, N.S. - In a battle of the top teams in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) regular season standings, the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 decision to the visiting Dalhousie Tigers in women's soccer action on Saturday evening in New Waterford.
With the sides deadlocked 1-1, in the 78th minute, Subway player of the game Chloe Richardson (Calgary, AB) scored the game-winner for the Tigers with a highlight reel individual effort.
After winning a foot race with a Caper defender, she knifed her way into the box, avoiding CBU keeper Haley Kardas (Halifax, NS) and then ripping a left-footed blast into the gaping net.
In the first half, after the Tigers came up empty on a corner kick opportunity, the home side opened the scoring a couple of minutes later - only the second goal of the campaign allowed by the stout Dalhousie defense and stellar goalkeeper Annabel Gravely (Toronto, ON).
In the 24th minute, dynamic forward Alliyah Rowe (Kitchener, ON) showed a sensational first touch as she volleyed a lead pass from fifth-year midfielder Rebecca Lambke (Antigonish, NS) to her feet. From there, she made a move on her Dal defender and rifled a left-footed strike over the outstretched right arm of a diving Gravely and into the top corner.
After taking the 1-0 edge, CBU increased its offensive pressure but they could not increase their lead before halftime.
The best chance to double their edge came late, when Lambke feathered a gorgeous ball through for Rowe, but Gravely dove to smother it before the sniper could get a shot attempt.
Moments later, in injury time - off a scramble after a Tiger corner kick - Emily Smith (Orleans, ON) knotted the contest 1-1 heading to the locker room.
Early in the second half, in the 50th minute - the Capers garnered a corner-kick opportunity, but it did not produce a scoring chance.
A short time later, off a three-way passing play engineered by Rowe and Lambke, Amelia Carlini (Ottawa, ON) sizzled a strike from top of the box, but Gravely made a great diving save.
Haley Kardas (Halifax, NS) made her best stop of the match when she darted out to challenge striker Kaitlyn Clarke (Edmonton, AB).
In the 59th minute, looking for her second of the match, Rowe curled a hard shot into the waiting arms of Gravely, off a free-kick chance.
From the top of the circle Carley Burrell (Hammonds Plains, NS) got loose for a shot but she was unable to solve Kardas.
With the Capers pressing for the equalizer, they were unable to penetrate the Tiger defense.
The best chance for a tie came in the final seconds but Rowe ripped a free-kick over the crossbar.
Kardas made six saves for the Capers, while Gravely had five stops for the Tigers.
Chloe Richardson of the Tigers was named the Subway Player of the Game.
The Capers will return to the pitch on Thursday, Oct. 27 - at 5 p.m. ADT - when they host the UNB Reds at Ness Timmons Field on the CBU campus.
The Tigers will wrap up their regular season on Saturday, Oct. 29 - at 1 p.m. ADT - when they host the UPEI Panthers at Wickwire Field in Halifax.