WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The Acadia Axewomen rugby team completed the regular season with a 43-17 win over the UPEI Panthers and posting only two losses - a 4-2 record with their two losses to StFX this season.
Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, the spot for second place was still up for grabs with a loss to the Panthers, the Axewomen could have mathematically fallen short of capturing second place.
However, today's win against the Panthers clinched second place in the standings. StFX and Saint Mary's will play the last game of the season tomorrow afternoon.
Acadia pulled out to a commanding 29-0 lead after one half of play on trys from Laura Fair, Shannon White, Janna Slevinsky and two from Shelaine Riehs.
While the Axewomen dominated most of the first half, UPEI did show spurts of scoring potential and it all came out in the opening of the second half when Niki Triantafillou scored the first of three second half Panther trys.
Closing the gap to 29-12 after the first five minutes of play when Rebecca Chapman added UPEI's second try, Acadia responded 19 minutes into the second frame with Tamara Dondi's first try of the season.
Traintafillou scored the third and last try by the Panthers, but Acadia still have a comfortable 36-17 lead before Subway Player of the Game Veronique Russell scored the final Axewomen try with 10 minutes remaining in the match.
As final standings unfold, the Axewomen will play UPEI again in the semi-finals while StFX and Saint Mary's will play in the second semi-finals. Acadia will host the AUS championship this coming weekend with semi-final games played on Saturday, October 25 at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm and a championship game at 3:00 pm on Sunday, October 26. All games will be played on Acadia's Raymond Field.
Game Note: Tonight was "Get Real" Night along with honouring our graduating seniors including Veronique Russell, Katie Little, Nicola Jones, Kristine Lovatt, Erin Beazley, Hollie Smith, Katie Amirault, Shannon White and Janna Slevinsky.
Subway Players of the Game:
ACA – Veronique Russell
UPEI – Holly Jones
Scoring Summary:
First Half:
ACA – 10 min – Laura Fair try not converted 5-0
ACA – 26 min – Shannon White try not converted 10-0
ACA – 34 min – Janna Slevinsky try converted by Erin Beazley 17-0
ACA – 38 min – Shelaine Riehs try converted by Erin Beazley 24-0
ACA – 40 min – Shelaine Riehs try not converted 29-0
Second Half:
UPEI – 1 min – Niki Triantafillou try converted by Lauren Chamberlain 29-7
UPEI – 5 min – Rebecca Chapman try not converted 29-12
ACA – 19 min – Tamara Dondi try converted by Erin Beazley 36-12
UPEI – 21 min - Niki Triantafillou try not converted 36-17
ACA – 30 min – Veronique Russell try converted by Erin Beazley 43-17