Mystics advance to national semifinal
Fifth-year midfielder Ashley Neves scored the lone goal in the Mystics CCAA quarter-final 1-0 win over the St. Clair Saints Wednesday morning in Red Deer, Alberta.
November 5, 2025
A decisive second-half strike was the difference in the opening quarter-final match between the Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) Mystics and St. Clair Saints at the 2025 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women's Soccer National Championship in Red Deer, Alberta.
The Mystics (Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association Champions) broke the deadlock 14 minutes into the latter half and solidified a 1-0 victory over the Saints (Ontario Collegiate Athletic Association Champions), advancing to the semi-finals.
Wednesday's opening match began with a quick pace as the Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics and St. Clair Saints traded shots in the first few minutes at Setters Place.
As both teams settled into the match, they elevated their defensive play, not giving up many high-quality scoring opportunities.
The stalemate was nearly broken in the 39th minute. Off a Saints' corner kick, Alessia Olivito, a third-year midfielder, beat MSVU's goalkeeper Morgan Gillis, but not the right post.
Just before half-time, the Mystics had their best chance of the contest. From the right side, Beth Padfield attempted to beat Scotlyn Fick high, but the Saints third-year goalkeeper deflected the ball out of harms way.
The Saints opened the second half with a push, but it was the Mystics who converted first. In the 60th minute, Mhyah Allen, a Political Studies student from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, found Ashley Neves in front of the Saints goal. Neves, a fifth-year midfielder, found space low on the left side of the net.
St. Clair had several opportunities to even the match in the latter 45 minutes, which included a shot off the Mystics' crossbar.
Gillis made several outstanding saves and MSVU hung on to a 1-0 victory.
Gillis, a Sociology and Anthropology student, was recognized as the 4imprint Mystics Player of the Match. Victoria Walsh, a third-year forward from Georgetown, Ontario, received the honour for the Saints.
In the semi-finals, the MSVU Mystics will play the Élans de Garneau on Thursday, November 6 at 3 pm MST.
The St. Clair Saints will face the Concordia University Thunder on Thursday at 10 am MST in the bronze quarter-final.