(ANTIGONISH, NS) – The StFX X-Women fell 5-2 to the Acadia Axewomen in a Friday afternoon game at StFX Stadium. Both teams entered the opening match of the 2022 AUS season with something to prove; the last time the two teams met was in the 2021 AUS championship final, with Acadia securing a 1-0 win to bring home the banner.
Acadia opened the scoring early on, as Jayden Boudreau (Halifax, NS) put the Axewomen up 1-0 in the 5th minute of action.
In the 11th minute, Grace Longley (Bedford, NS) brought the score to 2-0 as she slotted a cross from Boudreau into the back of the net.
Following the early goals, both teams appeared to settle into the match, maintaining even possession. The X-Women capitalized on a cross from Emma Steen (Stittsville, ON) in the 23rd minute, as Amanda Smith (Ottawa, ON) finished the ball at close range to put the X-Women on the scoreboard.
Entering the second half, Acadia increased their lead off a 55th minute goal from Mya Harnish (Halifax, NS). The X-Women were quick to respond two minutes later, as Hannah Yantha (Cambridge, ON) combined with Caitlin Crichton (Ottawa, ON), narrowing the Axewomen lead to 3-2.
Despite solid offensive efforts from both teams, Acadia took advantage of their speed on the wings to keep the X-Women defenders on their heels and increase their lead to five. At the 60-minute mark, Abby Aucoin (Dartmouth, NS) scored for the Axewomen following a scramble in the StFX box. Three minutes later, Madicynn Harnish (Lower Sackville, NS) netted the Axewomen's fifth goal of the match after receiving a pass from Longley.
Amanda Smith received player of the game honours for the X-Women, while Acadia's Grace Somers (Bedford, NS) was named Subway Player of the Game for her efforts.
The X-Women will regroup and return to StFX Stadium for a Sunday game against the UPEI Panthers.
The Axewomen will return home to play the Memorial Seahawks on Sunday.
Both games begin at 1:00pm.
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Recap courtesy Alyssa Spridgeon, STFX Sports Information