Lucky 13: CBU women’s soccer program sets record for AUS banners
Lucky 13: CBU women's soccer program sets record for AUS banners
CAPERS boast championship calibre culture
By Corey LeBlanc
SYDNEY – In the fall of 1996, rock legend Eric Clapton topped the charts with his song Change the World, while viewers were tuning in by the millions to Frasier, starring Kelsey Grammar. And – another leading man, of sorts – head coach Stephen "Ness" Timmons – and his Cape Breton University (CBU) CAPERS women's soccer program were making their Atlantic University Sport (AUS) debut.
Jump ahead 28 years, with Timmons continuing in a starring role, the CAPERS have become one of the top women's varsity soccer programs – not only in the AUS, but also U SPORTS competition. "We have always been knocking on the door," the veteran CBU mentor said of contending for conference supremacy, particularly since the program captured its first conference banner in 2003.
The CAPERS, with their 2-0 victory over the UNB REDS at STFX Stadium in Antigonish on Oct. 27, captured their 13th AUS title – breaking the record for the most in conference history, passing the Dalhousie Tigers (12).
One year removed from that first AUS triumph, the CAPERS secured four consecutive titles – from 2005 to 2008. And, from 2017 to 2019, CBU fashioned a three-peat, when it comes to AUS supremacy. Noting that there have been "tight losses" in the AUS championship match, which would have bettered that mark, Timmons said, "We think it is pretty impressive," to be the all-time leader in championships, considering it has happened over 28 years. "They got a head start," he quipped of older programs in the conference.
The first of those banner-winning campaigns – one secured in a 3-1 victory over the Tigers – boasted a roster featuring All-Canadians including Natalie Cullen (1st) and Joanne Delahunt (2nd); not to mention a Cape Breton contingent that included Cheryl Wall, an AUS first-team all-star.
"We have high expectations," Timmons said, in reflecting on common threads shared by everyone – coaches and student-athletes – who have contributed to an ongoing effort to establish and maintain a "winning culture." He added, "We have always focused on the process and not the results; controlling what we can control."
Timmons explained a by-product of that has been a "winning attitude" that has garnered not only 13 conference titles, but also trips to the medal podium at the national level. Their 2007 AUS championship run catapulted the Capers to a 2007 CIS [now U SPORTS] victory on home turf at Veterans Memorial Field in New Waterford in front of more than 1,600 fans. They have also won silver (2017) and bronze (2018) medals.
That line-up, which secured the crown with a 2-1 victory over the York Lions, also featured key contributors who developed their skills in the backyard of CBU, including AUS most valuable player Kristina Weatherbie and fellow first-team All-Canadian Kiley Snow. "We have always been fortunate to have Cape Breton players be a big part of our program," Timmons said.
Describing playing at the AUS level as a "big jump," the CBU bench boss explained, "It requires a lot of dedication on the part of young players." Timmons added, "We want the youth players of Cape Breton to aspire to play for the CAPERS. We always look for the opportunity to connect with them, and we want to give them every opportunity to be a part of our program."
Another thread in the CAPERS championship tapestry – no matter where the student-athletes come from – is "peer influence," with players holding each other accountable. "We have always had great leaders," Timmons said of the examples they set for their teammates – both on and off the field.
And, this year is a shining example of that theme, with co-captains Alliyah Rowe (Kitchener, ON), Ally Wilton (Bedford, NS) and Grace Hannaford (Enfield, NS) leading the way for the CAPERS, as part of a team effort that resulted in the program winning its record-making conference championship.
"They have been so great for us," Timmons offered of his leadership group, which helped the first-place CAPERS go undefeated in the AUS regular season and playoffs. Along with the team and individual achievements – from multiple championships and All-Canadian and AUS all-star selections – the CBU women's soccer program has excelled in the classroom. "It is as high as any team," Timmons noted of the CAPERS' percentage of Academic All-Canadians.
That list includes Ottawa native Ciera Disipio, a two-time recipient of U SPORTS Top-8 Academic All-Canadian status, an annual honour that goes to eight student-athletes from across the country – four male and four female – who have achieved an 80 per cent or better average during the previous academic year.
"We are here to help develop the whole person," Timmons said of the program's focus on doing everything it can to assist that academic and athletic development.
He shares those important responsibilities with a second-to-none coaching staff that includes veteran assistant Robert White and keeper coach Chad Power, who have been with Timmons on most of this dynastic journey. In recent seasons, assistant coach Mitchell Hanna has become an invaluable contributor to that unit.
"There have been so many people – on and off the field – who have contributed to our success," Timmons offered, with CBU Athletics and the broader university community – not to mention their loyal fans – also serving as key contributors. He said, "I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish."
Going for gold
Although it has already been a milestone season for the program, that doesn't mean the CAPERS are resting on their laurels. With that record-setting 13th conference championship, CBU punched its ticket to the 2024 U SPORTS Women's Soccer Championship tournament, which will be hosted by the Dalhousie Tigers at Wickwire Field in Halifax, from Thursday, Nov. 7 to Sunday, Nov. 11.
"We have to focus on playing our game," Timmons said of the keys to success in shooting for the program's second national title. Along with liking to "press" their opponents, which creates scoring chances for a dynamic offense led by Ally Rowe – the all-time AUS regular season scoring leader (77), for both female and male players – they will continue their commitment to keeping them off the scoreboard.
"We take pride in our discipline, playing with fluidity and strong 'D'," Timmons said, noting the CAPERS have fashioned "clean sheets" in their last five matches, including two shutout victories in the 2024 AUS playoffs.
The CAPERS will open the national championship tournament with a quarter-final match-up versus the Nipissing Lakers. When they take the pitch for that first tilt on the road, hopefully, to what will be a golden finish, CBU will be focusing on performing in a way that has been a key ingredient for the CAPERS since the opening kick-off of that inaugural 1996 campaign.
"As always, it is going to take a total team effort for us to be successful," Timmons said.
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