New look X-Women ready to defend AUS crown

Celebrated rugby program focused on continuing winning ways

By Corey LeBlanc

There may be plenty of new faces on the STFX X-Women's roster since fans last watched them on the pitch, but what remains unchanged – as always – is the championship mindset of the most decorated rugby program in Atlantic University Sport (AUS).

"We are going to have some inexperience," veteran White and Blue head coach Mike Cavanagh said in a recent interview at the tail end of what he described as a "highly competitive" training camp.

He noted that 35 of the student-athletes that participated have never played in the AUS.

Cavanagh hopes to balance that inexperience, which brings an infusion of talent to the program, with the leadership of the returning X-Women, which includes a trio that decided to come back to compete for another conference title; not to mention a shot at another appearance in the U SPORTS national championship tournament this fall.

"They are very hungry – they want to go out as champions," he said of flyhalf Hannah Ellis (Halifax, NS), a team captain; flyhalf Danielle Franada (Grand Prairie, AB) and center Sarah Hoerig (Whitby, ON).

He added, "They are amazing athletes and great players."

Props Annie McMullon (Rothesay, NB) and Maddie Harroun (Halifax, NS), another captain, along with hooker-flanker Claudia Fulton (Aylesford, NS) and scrum half Maddie Ross (Coldbrook, NS) have also returned.

"They will help lead the pack," Cavanagh noted.

Fans may notice a difference in style this season, a move from recent years when the White and Blue have relied greatly on its "dominant" forwards.

"We bullied teams somewhat," Cavanagh offered of that overpowering formula for success.

This season, he expects that they will "move the ball more," utilizing the speed and skill of their talented backfield.

"We think that we will be able to score a lot of trys from the outside," Cavanagh said.

Nevertheless, he added, that doesn't mean the X-Women won't be "strong" upfront.

Cavanagh predicted the quest for another conference crown will be a challenging one.

"Our league is getting stronger each year," he offered.

Not surprisingly, Cavanagh expects the rival Acadia Axewomen to field a "very good team."

"They are going to be much stronger," he said of the UPEI Panthers, who finished with a 2-4 mark in 2019 before the Axewomen eliminated them in the AUS semi-final match.

Cavanagh added that – with a roster that is 90 per cent homegrown and also plays together as a club team – the Panthers will have tremendous chemistry from the get-go.

"They will be very comfortable with each other," he said, noting that should put them about three weeks ahead of the X-Women, when it comes to continuity on the pitch.

The Panthers only victories in 2019 came against the last-place Saint Mary's Huskies (0-6).

"They are going to be much better," Cavanagh said of the rebuilding Huskies, while crediting their new head coach – Emma Delory – for bringing in a strong recruiting class.

With a perfect 6-0 regular season record in 2019, the X-Women secured a bye to the AUS championship match, where they defeated the visiting Axewomen 29-17. 

"I think we are very capable," Cavanagh said of the prospect of capturing another conference banner.

And, as far as what might happen on the national championship stage, he added, "I think that we can make some noise."

But, first things first, the X-Women will kickoff the 2021 AUS regular season on Saturday, Sept. 11 – at 2 p.m. – when they travel to Charlottetown to face the Panthers.

"Everyone is just so happy and grateful to have this opportunity," Cavanagh said of the long-awaited return to AUS action.

STFX will open its home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 18, when the Huskies visit the turf at StFX Stadium.

Kickoff for that matchup is set for 3 p.m.

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