X-Women drop 1-0 game to Tigers in home opener
The Tigers picked up their first win of the AUS season, defeating the X-Women 1-0 on Sunday afternoon
ANTIGONISH, NS - The Dalhousie Tigers picked up their first win of the Atlantic University Sport women's soccer season, defeating the STFX X-Women 1-0 at STFX Stadium on Sunday afternoon. It was the first regular season loss at home for the X-Women since October, 2022.
The Tigers held the majority of possession in the first few minutes of the match, testing STFX keeper Christine Gentile (Laval, QC), who came up big in the 13th minute, knocking away a shot from Paris Axam, (Ottawa, ON). STFX looked to capitalize on a corner kick in the 21st minute, but Dalhousie was able to clear.
Tigers keeper Brianne MacDonald (Chelsea, QC) didn't see a lot of action in the first 30 minutes, but made a stop when called upon. Axam had another solid strike in the 36th minute, hitting one from outside the 18-yard box, but Gentile was there for the save. The half ended 0-0.
Early in the second half, most of the action took place in the STFX end. A Tigers corner kick looked to spell trouble early, but a distance shot from Emilie Calabrese (Ancaster, ON) went over the bar. Minutes later, a 40-yard free kick from STFX nearly turned into a goal after an errand Dalhousie clearance rang off the crossbar, but the Tigers were able to turn it away.
The Tigers opened the scoring in the 63rd minute, with a Meghan Johnston (Dartmouth, NS) corner kick finding the boot of Bailey Hatcher (Middle Sackville, NS), who hit a left-footed half volley into the top of the net. Another Tigers corner a few minutes later almost turned into another goal, but the shot from Hannah Firstbrook (Nepean, ON) hit the top bar.
STFX looked to tie it in the 79th minute, with Lauren Reid (Kanata, ON) taking a shot from just inside the 18, but MacDonald was all over the stop. The X-Women continued to press for the equalizer, but the Tigers hung on for the victory.
MacDonald had two saves in the win, while Gentile had 11 saves for STFX. Hatcher picked up player of the game for the 1-1 Tigers, while Caitlin Crichton (Ottawa, ON) was the Gabriel Pizza player of the game for STFX, whose record dropped to 1-1.
The X-Women next see action when they host Mount Allison next Friday, September 13, at 5 p.m. Dalhousie is hosting Memorial next Sunday, September 15, at 1 p.m.
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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics
