Mystics Strike Early and Hold on for 1-0 Victory

Fredericton, NB – Laura Nancekievill (Hartland, NB) put in an outstanding, shot-stopping performance but it proved not enough as the St Thomas University Women's Soccer team fell to a disappointing 1-0 loss versus Mount Saint Vincent University on Saturday afternoon.

"I thought Laura played well and made some fantastic stops," said Michelle DeCourcey, STU Women's Soccer coach, when she spoke about her keeper.

The game was a damp affair with the rain coming down from the first minute to the last. The rain caused both teams to take a cautious approach for most of the game – especially the first half.

Even though both teams started slowly, it was a busy opening 20 minutes for STU's goalkeeper, Nancekievill. She did really well after making one save at the 10-minute mark as well as another at just before the 20-minute mark. The second of these saves was more spectacular.

Nancekievill was left helpless from the resulting corner which turned out to be the only goal of the game. The ball was not properly cleared and after some scrappy play, the MSVU Mystics took the lead through Kayley Clair (Campbell River, BC). This did not deter Nancekievill from her duties as she ended the game with 11 saves on 12 shots.

MSVU were in total control of the game once they scored their goal. They had the greater share of the possession and the better chances. There were times where they pegged the Tommies back so much that they could not even get out of their own half.

"I don't think we put in the work that we needed to get the result that we wanted," DeCourcey said after the game.

The Tommies will play their final home game of the season at Grant-Harvey Turf field versus UKC Blue Devils on Sunday. The MSVU Mystics will also play on Sunday - away to UNB Saint John.

Recap- Brandon Salick