Huskies earn comeback win over X-Women

ANTIGONISH, NS - Four goals in the second half drove the Saint Mary's Huskies to a 4-2 come from behind win over the STFX X-Women on Saturday afternoon at STFX Stadium. The win improves the Huskies' record to 4-2-1, while the X-Women fall to 3-3-1.  

The X-Women played a possession game early on, with the Huskies maintaining their formation well. The first scoring chance of the game came in the first eight minutes, off a deep throw-in from Saint Mary's, with Brooklyn Salgueiro (Dartmouth, NS) hitting a volley just over the bar from in close. 

STFX got on the board a few minutes later, with Brynn Canning (Antigonish, NS) delivering a corner kick that found the feet of Emma Steen (Stittsville, ON), who fired a low pass to fifth year forward Lauren Reid (Kanata, ON), who knocked it over the goal line in the 11th minute. 

In the 26th minute, Huskies goalie Katie Alley (Milton, ON) came up with a huge diving save off a Reid header, after a high cross from Avery Rogers (Toronto, ON). Saint Mary's came close to replying in the 35th minute, but a long distance strike from Jossalyn Downey (Waterloo, ON) hit the crossbar and bounced straight down before STFX was able to clear. 

Shots on goal at half time were 6-2 in favour of STFX as they held onto the 1-0 lead.

The X-Women continued to hold possession for the early part of the second half, and doubled their lead 13 minutes in, with Ava Elgood (Almonte, ON) tapping home a penetrating cross from Reid, who was named player of the game for STFX.

The Huskies cut into the deficit three minutes later, as it was Charlotte Baines (Halifax, NS) driving home a low shot after picking up a through pass from Cara Freeman (Halifax, NS).

Saint Mary's continued to pressure to tie the game, and it was Freeman who found the equalizer in the 75th minute, potting one low on a penalty kick after a foul in the STFX 18-yard-box. Three minutes later, SMU took the lead after Baines headed one in off a tight angle from a Sarah Eden (Ottawa, ON) corner kick.

The Huskies continued to move the ball forward, and doubled their lead in the 83rd minute, as midfielder Julia Pasma (Georgetown, ON) pounced on a rebound and found the back of the net.

X-Women goalkeeper Hailey Jones (Ottawa, ON) had five saves while picking up the loss, while Huskies netminder Alley also made five saves in the win, picking up player of the game honours for the visitors. 

The X-Women will be back in action tomorrow as they host the Memorial Seahawks at 1 p.m.  The Huskies resume their road trip on Sunday when they visit the Cape Breton University Capers, also at 1 p.m.

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics