ANTIGONISH, NS - The STFX X-Men had a big home win on Friday night, dropping the Mount Allison Mounties 6-1 on a chilly evening at STFX Stadium.
The Mounties came out quick in the first few minutes, but the X-Men were able to weather the pressure. Mount Allison had a dangerous chance early, but X-Men keeper William Veinot (Bedford, NS) was able to collect the ball.
The X-Men had a few chances of their own early and after some extended possession were able to capitalize in the 15th minute. Max Bodurtha (Halifax, NS) hit a shot while charging into the Mount Allison 18-yard-box. Mounties goalie Rhys Chambers (Heiston, ENG) made the initial save but the ball rebounded off Bodurtha into the net for the opening score.
Dyan Vil (Ottawa, ON) made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute, cracking a low hard strike from the top of the box after collecting a pass from the wing from Cameron Shaw (Ottawa,ON).
The X-Men continued to carry possession later in the half, and their efforts were rewarded with another goal in the 29th minute. Isaac VanWychen (Middle Musquodoboit, NS) had the finishing touch from outside the box off a cross from Kyle Cordeiro (Oakville, ON).
Vil almost had another a few minutes later, breaking in alone but Chambers made the save. Mount Allison defender Paul-Germain Togbo (Hamburg, DE) made a goal-line header save in the 40th minute to take one away from the X-Men.
STFX was able to add another before halftime, with Nicholas Goldsztein (Winnipeg, MB) collecting his own rebound from in close and finding the back of the net. Score at the end of the half stood at 4-0 in favour of STFX.
The teams exchanged possession early in the first half, and both sides were able to produce some scoring chances though the score didn't change until the 64th minute, with X forward Samuel Barrowcliffe (Princeton, ON) getting the final touch on the ball after a scramble in front of the Mounties' net.
The Mounties broke the shutout in the 71st minute as Fillipo Shogonya (Congo, DRC) had a tap in from inside the six-yard-box. The X-Men were able to regain a five-goal lead in injury time, with Myroslav Zastavnyy (Toronto, ON) potting one in the 92nd minute.
Veinot had a pair saves for the win while Chambers made seven stops.
Freshman STFX midfielder Isaac VanWychen was named the Player of the Game for his efforts.
The X-Men are back in action Saturday night when they host the UPEI Panthers at 7:15 pm, while Mount Allison heads to Cape Breton for a match up with the Capers, also on Saturday evening.
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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics