X-Women clinch first place with win over Acadia
With first place in the AUS conference on the line, the STFX X-Women defeat the Acadia Axewomen 21-7
Antigonish, NS – With first place in the AUS conference on the line, the STFX X-Women defeated the Acadia Axewomen 21-7 in front of 300 fans on a cool, wet afternoon at STFX Stadium.
Both teams close out the season with a 5-1 record tied for top spot in the conference, but the X-Women clinch first place based on a better point differential in head-to-head play against the Axewomen. The teams split the season series 1-1, however STFX outscored Acadia 33-27 in head-to-head play.
STFX needed to win today's game by more than nine points to clinch first place as the previous meeting at Acadia saw the Axewomen prevail 20-12.
The X-Women scored the first points of the game eight minutes in as Janet Kennedy (Ottawa, ON) crossed the try line after sustained X pressure in the Axewomen end. A conversion by Katie Murphy (Millvale, PE) gave the home team an early 7-0 lead.
Murphy missed wide on a penalty goal attempt 10 minutes later.
Both squads played with intensity with many big tackles as they fought for possession back and forth throughout the opening half.
The score remained 7-0 in favour of the X-Women at halftime.
Acadia had a chance to get on the scoreboard five minutes into the second half, but Sara Grant (Melrose, NB) missed wide on a penalty goal attempt.
The X-Women scored their second try of the match in the 50th minute. Akwaima Akpan (Halifax, NS) had a nice break through run and Murphy was on the receiving end of the passing play to touch down. She then converted her own try to give X the 14-0 lead.
STFX back Shona Galloway (Upper Tantallon, NS) who was subbed in during the second half scored the third try of the game in the 65th minute. Murphy made good on her third conversion of the afternoon to give the X-Women a comfortable 21-0 lead.
The Axewomen stormed back and finally got on the board in the 70th minute when Holly Robinson (Regina, SK) touched down for a try. The conversion by Grant made it a 21-7 game.
The visitors continued to press for the remainder of the game, but the X-Women controlled possession and closed out the 21-7 win.
Acadia lock Lauren Deal (Valley, NS) received player of the game honours for her team, while STFX's Akpan was the STFX Gabriel Pizza player of the game for her strong play.
Today's match marked the final game of the regular season. Looking ahead to the AUS playoffs, the second place Acadia Axewomen will host the third place UPEI Panthers in the semifinal match this coming week, on Wednesday, October 16th at 6:00 pm.
The first place STFX X-Women will host the semifinal winner on the following week on Wednesday, October 23rd for the AUS championship game at 6:00 pm. The complete playoff schedule will posted on www.atlanticuniversport.com.
Prior to the game the X-Women honoured their graduating student-athletes including Julia Baniak, Sophie Beck, Katie Douglas, Payton Erwin, Janet Kennedy, Skye Koyote, Emma MacDougall, Brooklyn Peyton, Madelyn Weisshaar, Katie Yanicki and student therapist Maggie Brown.
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Recap courtesy Krista McKenna, STFX Athletics
SCORING SUMMARY
ACA: 0-7: 7
STFX 7-14: 21
1st HALF
STFX – Janet Kennedy try, 8th minute (Katie Murphy convert)
2nd HALF
STFX – Katie Murphy try, 50th minute (Katie Murphy convert)
STFX – Shona Galloway try, 65th minute (Katie Murphy convert)
ACA – Holly Robinson try, 70th minute (Sara Grant convert)
Players of the Game:
ACA – Lauren Deal (Valley, NS)
STFX – Akwaima Akpan (Halifax, NS)
Legend:
Try: 5 points
Penalty goal: 3 points
Convert: 2 points
X-Women Rugby graduating student-athletes & staff