Hurricanes Storm Tommies 1-0

Bethany MacDougall (left) and Haley Coleman chase down a loose ball during ACAA women's soccer action Sunday in Fredericton. Photo: SRM Photography
Bethany MacDougall (left) and Haley Coleman chase down a loose ball during ACAA women's soccer action Sunday in Fredericton. Photo: SRM Photography

Fredericton, NB - The Holland College Hurricanes remain undefeated early in the ACAA regular season after handing the St. Thomas University Tommies a 1-0 loss. 

The Hurricanes controlled the pace of play through the first 10 minutes of the game before things evened out for both teams. 

In the 22nd minute Miranda McKinnon opened the scoring for the Hurricanes. After Laura Nancekievill (Hartland, NB) made a diving stop for the Tommies, McKinnon jumped on the loose ball and deposited it into the empty net. 

The Tommies got their share of chances in the first half, via corner kicks and rookie Haley Coleman (Hampton, NB) using her speed to make some runs, but the Hurricanes kept the Tommies off the score sheet. 

"Haley used her speed very well today to get into space," said Tommies head coach, Michelle DeCourcey. "I feel like once she gets that first goal, they will all start coming."

In the 67th minute, 2019-20 ACAA scoring leader, Emily Cormier, stepped to the penalty dot for the Hurricanes looking to push the lead to 2-0, but Nancekievill once again came up big for the Tommies, making one of her 9 saves on the day. 

"I started off really nervous, but after a while I got set and started getting the nerves out," said Nancekievill about the penalty kick. "I saw she was picking the corner so I knew I had to get there. Felt good to make the stop."

Chances were limited to finish out the game, and Brianna Spencer would get the clean sheet for the Hurricanes. 

The Tommies will face the Crandall University Chargers on Wednesday evening in Fredericton, while the Hurricanes will host the University of Kings College Blue Devils on Saturday, September 18th.