Rugby X-Women primed to defend AUS crown

White and Blue to kick off season Saturday at Saint Mary's

By Corey LeBlanc

ANTIGONISH – The STFX X-Women – defending Atlantic University Sport (AUS) rugby champions – are focused on capturing back-to-back conference banners and returning to the national title stage in 2024.

"I think that we are going to do well," X-Women head coach Mike Cavanagh – entering his 26^th season at the helm of the White and Blue – said in an interview at the tail end of training camp.

He noted that his STFX student-athletes – new and returning – have put in the "time and effort" required to prepare for the rigors of an AUS campaign, including working diligently on areas such as fitness and strength.

"We are always gunning for a national championship," Cavanagh, who has led the X-Women program to six Canadian university crowns, said, when asked about the goals for his program this season.

He noted, "We may not be there quite yet," of their ability to reach the top of the podium.

Nevertheless, if the X-Women improve from week-to-week in a highly competitive conference, and are able to secure a spot to compete in the 2024 U SPORTS tournament, Cavanagh added, "We could make some noise and be a threat to win a medal."

As for the strengths of his line-up, the 12-time AUS coach of the year pointed to depth – "something that we have lacked the last couple of years."

He said that his team displayed that attribute during a recent pre-season swing through the northeastern United States.

"Players really stood up and showed that they are ready to contribute," Cavanagh added, a group that includes several that were first-years last season.

Noting that the X-Women expect to be able to go 25-deep, he explained, "We should be able to wear down teams."

Cavanagh added, "We are also bigger and a bit more solid defensively."

The STFX Sports Hall of Fame member said that the veteran duo of 2^nd row Sophie Beck (Fall River, NS) and fullback Katie Douglas (Charlottetown, PE) – co-captains this season – will lead the way for the White and Blue, on and off the field.

"They mean a great deal to our success," Cavanagh offered of the 2023 AUS all-stars.

Another key contributor will be sophomore No. 8/2^nd row Akwaima Akpan (Halifax, NS) – the 2023 AUS and U SPORTS top rookie – a conference all-star who led the AUS with seven tries. 

Prop Emma MacDougall (Halifax, NS) and No. 8 Skye Koyote (Duncan, BC) – both 2023 conference all-star selections – returns with her wealth of experience and talent.

Cavanagh noted that fly half/fullback/wing Sierra Wood (Stirling, ON) and centre Emily Dodge (Fall River, NS) have been "controlling the game" for the X-Women during the pre-season, something that he expects to continue throughout the regular campaign.

As for newcomers targeted to contribute this season, there is the freshman tandem of prop Audrey Jamieson (Dieppe, NB) and wing/fullback Alison LeBlanc (Saint John, NB).

"They are going to be really, really good for us," Cavanagh said.  

The X-Women wrapped up last season with a 4-1-1 record and finished second in the conference.

The White and Blue scored a 29-21 home victory over the Acadia Axewomen before clinching the conference crown with a 26-22 road triumph over the defending AUS champion UPEI Panthers.

Cavanagh noted that STFX boasted a young roster – 16 out of 25 players were first or second-year student-athletes – one he described as "finding its feet" at nationals last season. He anticipates that experience will be an important ingredient for a successful 2024 campaign.

"It gets tighter and tighter," he said of the level of competition in the AUS.

Noting that UPEI has an automatic berth at nationals this year, as the host team, the X-Women mentor envisions the White and Blue battling with the rival Acadia Axewomen for the second AUS spot in the year-end tournament.

During the aforementioned pre-season journey south of the border, the X-Women posted a 1-3-1 record in a series of hard-fought battles with NCAA programs.

STFX defeated Brown (24-0) to wrap up the swing, which kicked off with losses to Army (40-32) and AIC (45-31), followed by a tie with Quinnipiac (24-24) and a setback to Sacred Heart (12-10).

The White and Blue finished their pre-season schedule with home tilts versus a pair of AUS rivals – Acadia and UPEI. On Sept. 1, they defeated or lost to the Axewomen, which came on the heels of an Aug. 28 victory (29-5) over the Panthers.

The X-Women will begin defense of their conference banner this weekend with a regular season opening road match-up versus the Saint Mary's Huskies on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 2 p.m., in Halifax.

The White and Blue will host their home opener Sunday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m., versus UPEI – the side they defeated last fall for the AUS title.

"We are excited to get going," Cavanagh said.

For more information on everything X-Women rugby, including the 2024 schedule, visit www.goxgo.ca.

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