FREDERICTON, N.B. — Emma Landry’s goal in the first minute of the second half was all the Dalhousie Tigers needed to beat the UPEI Panthers 2-0 in the final game of the Atlantic University Sport women’s soccer championship Sunday.
It was the 11th AUS women’s soccer title for Dalhousie.
Landry hammered home a rebound off a Doriana Homerski shot from close range leading the Tigers to their first title since 2002.
Dalhousie added a second goal late in extra time, knocking a 30-yarder into an empty Panther net.
All UPEI players, including the keeper, had moved into the Tigers’ 18-yard box as they attempted one final set piece.
The Panthers advanced to the final with a 1-0 win over defending champion Cape Breton Capers in semifinal play Saturday.
The Tigers edged the Saint Mary’s Huskies 3-2 in extra time in the other semifinal game.
The Panthers opened Sunday’ final the way they did the semifinal, a brisk win in their face and the opponent controlling much of the play.
The Tigers, as is their custom, controlled the play with numerous short passes and a determined composure on the ball.
The Panthers limited the Tigers to a couple of shots and handful of scoring chances but had neither a shot or chance of their own in the half.
Landry dashed any thoughts an exchange of field position would favour the Panthers in the second half, scoring her second goal in as many days.
While neither team generated much offence in the half, it was evident Dalhousie was the better team on the day.
The Panthers could not get a good foot on the ball for the entire game.
They moved a fullback up with 20 minutes to play, moved another one up with 10 minutes remaining, playing with just two at the back, but they had no solution for the Dalhousie team.
They finished the game with two shots, two chances and two corners, compared to the Tigers’ six shots, 10 chances and three corners.
The game mark the end for the university careers for the Panthers’ Andrea Archibald, Chelsie McInnis and captain Sara Stewart, who were all first team all-stars and Academic All-Canadians.
“I’m very proud of our team and will miss these fine student athletes,” said UPEI head coach Mike Redmond. “They have added greatly to the soccer program at UPEI.”
Saturday, Stewart propelled the Panthers into the final with a goal 11 minutes into overtime, heading home an Archibald corner kick.
Chanelle Roy recorded the shutout.
UPEI played the last 17 minutes of the game down a player after Maria Scihilone received her second yellow card of the day.
She was not available for the final.
Dalhousie will be the lone AUS representative at the CIS championship, beginning later this week at McGill University in Montreal.
