White and Blue aiming for better finish at national championship tournament

By Corey LeBlanc

Antigonish, NS - Boasting a mix of accomplished veterans, returnees looking to make their mark and a group of hungry newcomers, the STFX X-Women are focused on capturing another Atlantic University Sport (AUS) championship.

"We are excited," veteran X-Women head coach Mike Cavanagh says, noting that everyone arrived at camp "ready to go."

Noting that 22 new student-athletes participated in tryouts – which Cavanagh estimates is the highest number in several seasons – he points out that many of them "should stick with the team."

When asked about the make-up of the White and Blue for 2022, the highly-decorated leader says the back line will boast "a lot of speed and skill."

"We are going to be more of a threat this season," Cavanagh adds of that aspect of the X-Women's attack.

Considering that – as he notes – over the past five to eight campaigns STFX has been "forward dominant," he agrees that they will have a different look.

"We would pound away at opponents," Cavanagh says.

He predicts that the X-Women will score more tries from the outside in 2022.

"We have a few more weapons to use," Cavanagh adds of the White and Blue attack, which continues to feature skill and strength up front.

Helping lead the charge – when it comes to an X-Women repeat – will be fifth-year fly half Hannah Ellis (Halifax, NS) and senior prop Maddie Harroun (Halifax, NS), along with team co-captains, junior scrum half Maddy Ross (Coldbrook, NS) and junior prop Annie McMullon (Rothesay, NB).

"They are going to be a key to success; they provide us with plenty of experience," Cavanagh says, noting the foursome were part of the X-Women's most recent national championship squad in 2018.

Each of them, he adds, "brings a different skill set" to the pitch.

As for newcomers to the White and Blue roster, Cavanagh points out that some have already left their mark, including during a hard-fought 17-15 pre-season victory over the Quinnipiac Bobcats – three-time U.S. national champions – on Aug. 29 at the Wanderers Grounds in Halifax. The match-up served as the opening act for Canada's national women's team, which hosted Wales in Nova Scotia's capital city.

With the X-Women short-handed – some returning players were unavailable – first-year student-athletes, such as the diverse Sierra Wood (Stirling, ON), Emily Dodge (Fall River, NS) and scrum half Katie Murphy (Millville, PE), had an opportunity to "step up" in the thrilling victory, one that ended on the last pay of the match.

"Everyone took advantage of their chance," Cavanagh says, adding that they "showed a lot of character."

He explains – more broadly – the win furnished the X-Women roster with "a lot of confidence, especially considering we did not have a full line-up."

"Our team did a great job – it was a great way to start our season," Cavanagh adds, in reflecting on the importance of the pre-season tilt.

The X-Women have been – to say the least – dominant since the AUS made women's rugby a varsity sport in 2002. They have captured every conference banner – except two; the Acadia Axewomen were crowned champions in 2015, while the COVID-19 global pandemic wiped away the 2020 regular campaign.

In 2022, the White and Blue will be shooting for their sixth consecutive conference championship.

"There is more and more parity each season," Cavanagh offers of the four-team loop.

Noting that they are "well coached," he expects Matt Durant and his Axewomen to – once again – be a top-10 program in Canada.

"They have players who give us a lot of trouble," Cavanagh says of the perennial rivals from Wolfville in the Annapolis Valley.

When it comes to the UPEI Panthers – a program that defeated the X-Women for the first time in the 2021 regular season – he describes them as "on the rise."

"They are very polished and don't beat themselves," Cavanagh offers, noting that most of the Panthers play together in summer club rugby.

He predicts the Saint Mary's Huskies – who he notes have brought in a strong recruiting class – are primed "to take a couple of steps forward."

Along with another AUS banner, the X-Women are eyeing an opportunity to compete for a seventh Molinex Trophy, which is awarded to the varsity rugby champions in U SPORTS.

"We were really disappointed," Cavanagh offers of their performance in the 2021 national championship tournament – an appearance that ended with a pair of lopsided losses.

He bemoans the fitness level and physical condition of his team on that stage last season. "We will have to address both to get back to nationals," he adds.

Cavanagh notes that his X-Women came into camp "a lot fitter," while possessing a high level of focus and dedication. He offers that – if his team "stays healthy" and continues to improve and develop – they are capable of challenging for a medal at the 2022 nationals.

The X-Women and Panthers will open the AUS regular season on Saturday, Sept 10, at 2 p.m., in Charlottetown. "We don't expect it will be an easy game," Cavanagh says.

The White and Blue wrapped up the pre-season on Sept. 3, when they hosted a three-team tournament at STFX Stadium; one that also included the Axewomen and Huskies.

"We are ready to go," he offers of the kick-off to the AUS regular season.

The X-Women will host their home opener on Friday, Sept. 16, versus the Huskies. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. – under the lights – at STFX Stadium. "We hope the fans will come out and show their support," Cavanagh says.

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