Halifax, NS – Late heroics from the StFX X-Women resulted in a 2-1 victory over the Dalhousie Tigers Sunday afternoon at Wickwire Field. The win improves the X-Women record to 3-0 early in the AUS season.
It didn't take long for the X-Women to find the opening goal of the match when Mercy Myles (Accra, Ghana) sent in a perfectly placed strike from the top of the box that was just over the fingertips of Devon Bode (LaHave, NS) and under the bar to make it 1-0.
The two teams struggled to find an offensive flow in the remainder of the half, with the lone goal also coming on the only scoring opportunity of the half.
The two teams went into the break with the X-Women leading 1-0.
The game had a quicker pace coming into the second half with some well-timed runs coming from both sides.
Myles once again got the offence going to start the second half with a nice touch at the top of the box giving her an open look at Bode, but the shot was calmly knocked away.
After that chance, the Tigers swung the momentum their way with long stints of offensive pressure held in the attacking third.
The pressure came with a great opportunity for their first goal as Alyson Bodner (Edmonton, AB) was able to get by the keeper, but the crossing attempt was just cleared off the line by Paytan Ruiz (Pictou, NS) to maintain the lead.
Keeping up the pressure Josie Oickle (Lewis Lake, NS) had another chance from the top of the box with a great look at goal, but her shot was stopped with a fantastic diving save by Christina Gentile (Laval, QC).
Finally capitalizing off one of the many set-piece opportunities in the half, a great cross from Catherine Guevin-Nicoloff (Ottawa, ON) found the head of Rachelle Lalande (Halifax, NS) at the near post to even it up at 1-1 with a nice redirection.
Giving up the goal sparked a bit of energy for the X-Women as they looked to counter and get the lead back. On a play at the top of the box, Bode made the risky choice of coming off her line to break it up, but Melanie Belong (Moncton, NB) was able to get by for an open look. Belong took a hard strike, but Guevin-Nicoloff made a fantastic play to back up her keeper on the goal line.
With less than ten minutes left in the match, both teams seemed to slow it down and be comfortable with the idea of a draw, but the X-Women had one last opportunity to work with. Once again splitting the Tigers back line, with Amanda Smith (Ottawa, ON) took a beautiful strike at the far post, sneaking it by the hands of Bode to give the X-Women the late 2-1 lead.
Time ran out on the Tigers after giving up the late goal, and the X-Women were able to secure the 2-1 victory to earn the three points in the standings.
Smith earned herself the Subway Player of the Game for sending home the game-winning goal.
The Tigers will be back on the pitch on Friday when they travel to take on Acadia, and StFX will look to keep the momentum going next Saturday when they take on Mount Allison in Sackville.
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Courtesy Kirk Jessome, Dalhousie Sports Information