X-Women earn dominant win in season opener

ANTIGONISH - The STFX X-Women began their 2023 regular season campaign with a decisive 8-0 victory over the visiting Moncton Aigles Bleues on Saturday afternoon at STFX Stadium.  

The X-Women, who carried the possession for most of the game, had a trio of corner kicks in the first 10 minutes resulting in chances but Moncton was able to keep them off the scoreboard early on. STFX appeared to open the scoring around the 15-minute mark, but they play was determined to be off-side.

The high pressure from STFX paid off a few minutes later though, with Aidan Miller Chilliwack, BC) making a solid run into the 18-yard box and hitting a cross to Ava Elgood, (Ottawa, ON), whose shot was saved but Lauren Reid (Kanata, ON) capitalized on the rebound.    

Reid scored her second of the game with about 32 minutes gone, knocking in an Emma Steen (Stittsville, ON) rebound after Steen made a great run down the left wing.

Elgood made it a three-goal game late in the half, knocking in a header off a long pass from defender Kyra Gunnell (London, ON) and Brynn Jurus added another in extra time, lofting in a shot high from the top of the box to give the X-Women a 4-0 halftime lead.

All-time STFX women's soccer scorer Amanda Smith (Ottawa, ON) opened the second half scoring in the first two minutes, driving home a corner kick from Cheyenne Bower (London, ON). Smith scored her second of the game in the 57^th minute, getting the last touch off a scramble in the Moncton 18-yard box.

STFX added a pair of goals in the last two minutes, with Abby Steen (Stittsville, ON) tapping in a cross from Jurus, followed by Hannah Yantha (Cambridge,ON)  getting a foot to the ball off a pass from Emma Steen. 

X-Women keeper Jordyn Pratt (Calgary, AB) earned the shut out for the home side while Krista Phillips (Dalhousie, NB) and Adele Melancon-Caille (Sainte-Marie Salome, QC) split time in the Moncton net.

Smith, in her final year of eligibility with the X-Women, earned player of the game honours with her two-tally effort. Speaking after the match, Smith said the squad has spent time gelling in the preseason, adding everyone bought into their system.

"It showed today that we're all working together," Smith noted. "We have a lot of skill and talent on this team and we're putting it together. I think that's what we saw today and it was a dominant win."

Looking ahead to tomorrow's matchup with UNB, Smith said the squad learns from the games they play.

"Tomorrow maybe we'll fix a few things, and we'll see what the game brings."

The X-Women hit the field tomorrow for 1:00 p.m. against the UNB Reds. Moncton heads to Cape Breton to take on the CBU Capers at 3:00 p.m.. 

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics