Make it 11 AUS rugby titles!

Antigonish, NS – The StFX X-Women rugby team put the final touches on another undefeated season in the AUS conference on Saturday, beating an outmatched Saint Mary’s Huskies team 52-0. It is the X-Women’s unprecedented 11th consecutive AUS title.

StFX scored by committee with seven different players scoring tries. AUS Rookie of the Year Lisa Gauthier lead the X-Women with two tries, while AUS Most Valuable Player Ghislaine Landry, Jamee George, Zoe Fielding, Tanya Boiteau, Amanda Bedard and Asya Bartley each had singles. Courtnay Malcolm added six converts as well.

In front of 260 fans at Oland Stadium, the X-Women got of to a bit of a shaky start. The Huskies came out to play and had some solid defensive stands to start the game. StFX was able to overcome some sloppy play and take a 26-0 lead at half.

The X-Women would wear the Huskies down in the second half with their speed and size. Gauthier and Landry would combine for a few great plays and the defence would shut the door again to secure the win. Gauthier was named the Most Valuable Player of the Game.

It was also an emotional win for the X-Women. Earlier in the week, the trophy awarded to the AUS champion was named the ‘The Birks Memorial Trophy’ in memory of Michelle Birks, a member of the 2006 CIS champion X-Women team and who passed away in 2007 of a heart arrhythmia. Michelle’s parents were on hand to present the trophy and share in some special moments with some of Michelle’s teammates after the game.

StFX will now travel to the University of Lethbridge to represent the Atlantic conference in the CIS championships. The X-Women claimed the CIS crown in 2006.

Courtesy Matt Skube, StFX Sports Information