ANTIGONISH, NS - The STFX X-Women made it a double win weekend with a hard fought 2-1 victory over the visiting UNB Reds on Sunday afternoon at STFX stadium.
A pair of second half goals by the X-Women earned them the come-from-behind victory.
The first chance in the game came early for the X-Women with a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box. A through ball to the front of the UNB net lead to the first shot of the afternoon, but keeper Lauren Kelly (Fredericton, NB) was able to get her hands to the ball.
UNB opened the scoring in the 11th minute, with Heidi Lauwerijssen (Kensington, PE) catching up to a long through ball deep in the X end and finding the net with a low shot to the far side.
Both teams had bouts of quality possession, most of it in the middle third of the pitch, with the number of scoring chances favouring the visitors. UNB almost added to their lead, with Julie Dalley (Burlington, ON) putting a head to a corner kick but the effort went over the bar.
The 1-0 Reds lead held up through the opening 45 minutes of play.
Caitlin Crichton (Ottawa,ON) had a chance for STFX within the first 10 minutes of the second half, driving a shot from distance but Kelly made the save. The X-Women continued to pressure for the next few minutes, hemming UNB in their own end for extended periods but the Reds kept their composure.
It was X-Women leading scorer Amanda Smith (Ottawa, ON) who found the tying marker, collecting a pass from Brynn Jurus (Ancaster, ON) inside the 18-yard box, turning and hitting the back of the net with a strong shot. The game opened up a bit at that point, with both teams looking to earn a win.
In the 73rd minute, it was STFX who took the lead, with freshman midfielder Cheyenne Bower (London, ON) curling home a corner kick. The X-Women almost had another goal off a corner 10 minutes later, but Kelly put a hand to it and kept it out.
A few minutes after that, UNB threatened off a long free kick but Gentile was able to punch the ball clear and the home team held on for the victory.
Smith picked up her second consecutive player of the game honour for STFX, rounding out a three-goal weekend. Reds striker Lauwerijssen was the player of the game for UNB.
The X-Women are the road to Sydney next Saturday to take on the CBU Capers at 1 p.m. UNB host Memorial next Friday at 5 p.m. in their home opener.
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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics