Hadley boots game winning field goal in X-Men comeback victory

HALIFAX, NS – STFX X-Men kicker Ben Hadley kicked a last-minute field goal to secure a X-Men comeback win, 19-17 over the Saint Mary's Huskies on Friday night in front of 1561 fans at Huskies Stadium.

The first half was a defensive battle, with the two opponents combining to force five turnovers. On the opening drive, the X-Men were able to march 75 yards down the field to set up a 19-yard field goal from kicker Ben Hadley (Halifax, NS) to put them ahead 3-0 with 10:13 remaining in the first quarter.

That would be all the scoring in the opening quarter, as both teams made some outstanding defensive plays, including a pair of interceptions from STFX defensive backs Logan Ritchie (Winnipeg, MB) and Naijaun David (Dartmouth, NS).

In the second quarter, X-Men quarterback Silas Fagnan (Bonnyville, AB) was able to orchestrate a drive all the way to the Huskies 19-yard line, but Huskies defensive back Logan Mendes (Quispamsis, NB) made a huge defensive play on an interception in the end zone.

After a Huskies three-and-out, the X-Men took over with good field position, but another interception by Mendes and a 49-yard return brought the ball all the way back to the X-Men eight-yard line. After a seven-yard rush from running back Malik Williams (Ajax, ON), Huskies quarterback Michael Petroschke (Toronto, ON) plunged into the end zone to put the Huskies in front 7-3, with 2:54 remaining in the second quarter.

The Huskies once again made a great defensive play to get the ball back, as defensive back Isaiah Atkins (Los Angeles, CA) forced a fumble, setting up a 42-yard field goal from kicker Adam Johnston, extending their lead to 10-3 at the half.

STFX opened up the third quarter with an 85-yard drive, capped off by a 13-yard touchdown pass to receiver Caleb Tremblay (Fredericton, NB), tying the game at 10-10. Saint Mary's struggled to move the chains in the third quarter, with X-Men linebacker Owen Watrych (Yorkton, SK) intercepting Petroschke to set up an 18-yard field goal from Hadley, as the X-Men took a 13-10 lead into the final quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Huskies defence made another big play, with defensive back Max Van Nieuwkoop (Burlington, ON) stripping X-Men running back Caleb Fogarty (Moncton, NB). Saint Mary's took over at the STFX 31-yard line, and it took just two rushes from Malik Williams to get into the end zone and retake the lead 17-13 with 11:53 remaining in regulation.

The X-Men were able to force a Huskies three-and-out and after Fagnan hit receiver Tyler Ivany (Moncton, NB) on a 21-yard completion, Hadley drilled a 24-yard field goal to cut the lead to 17-16 with 5:23 remaining.

Saint Mary's struggled to get their offence going, and the X-Men forced another three-and-out, giving them the ball back with 2:59 remaining. That's when STFX's running game came alive, as running backs Caleb Fogary and Giancarlo Wylie (Calgary, AB) combined to rush for 43 yards on the final drive, setting up a 34-yard field goal attempt from Hadley, who split the uprights to put the X-Men ahead 19-17 with just 49 seconds remaining.

Saint Mary's was unable to find any connections down field and the clock ran out with the X-Men securing their second straight win, 19-17.

X-Men receiver Caleb Tremblay was named Player of the Game with nine receptions for 188 yards and a touchdown. Silas Fagnan completed 22 of 40 attempts for 317 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions and Caleb Fogary led the ground attack with 91 yards on 15 carries.

For the Huskies, Malik Williams had a huge day rushing the ball with 113 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Petroschke completed seven of 14 attempts for 71 yards and three interceptions, with Cherokee Robinson leading all pass catchers with three receptions for 42 yards.

Defensively, Saint Mary's was led by linebacker Dawson Puk (Kelowna, BC) with 6.5 tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup, while defensive back Logan Mendes hauled in two interceptions and added three tackles. The X-Men defence was led by Owen Watrych who stuffed the stat-sheet with 6.5 tackles, an interception and a sack.

The X-Men win improves their record to 2-2 on the season. They'll head into the bye next weekend, with their next action coming at home on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. AT as they host the league-leading Bishop's Gaiters (3-0) in Antigonish on Homecoming weekend.

The loss drops the Huskies record to 2-2 on the campaign. They'll be on the road next week, visiting the Gaiters (3-0) on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. AT in Lennoxville, QC.

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Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics