WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The Axewomen rugby team finished the 2021 AUS regular season with an undefeated record of 6-0 that included a 2-0 record against the defending AUS champion StFX X-Women.
For the first time in modern team history, the Axewomen posted an undefeated season with a 39-26 win over the visiting X-Women in front of an exuberant crowd that reached over 1000 in attendance.
The game opened up with a Taryn McLachlan try at the five-minute mark, but StFX responded only 12 minutes later with a try by Maddie Haroun and conversion by Danielle Franada to give the X-Women their first of only two leads.
Rookie Mychael Paris responded three minutes later with a try to give the Axewomen a 10-7 lead that was quickly erased by a Tashayla Tynes try, giving StFX their last lead of the game.
Laura Pfleiderer replied at the 32-minute mark with a try to end the half with a 15-12 lead.
Pfleiderer would open the second frame only three minutes into the last half with her second try of the night that included a Sarah Grant conversion to give Acadia a 22-12 lead they would not relinquish.
Emilie Merilainen added an unconverted try six minutes into the half and Kaitlyn Jinda added her first of the season at the 58-minute mark to give the Axewomen a commanding 34-12 advantage.
Maddy Ross closed the gap to 34-19 that included a conversion by Franada.
Taryn McLachlan added her second try of the night at the 69th minute.
The game was closed with a try by StFX's Madison MacInnis at the 80th minute.
AUS Player of the Game, Sarah Grant, who had two conversions for the Axewomen, was thrilled with the win and how the team reacted to the challenge of playing the X-Women for a 6-0 season.
"The intensity of the girls going in… we were ready to go. It was an incredible feeling. I really can't explain it. These girls are absolutely unbelievable and incredible to look up to. I am living the dream. This is an incredible boost of confidence. It is unreal," noted first-year Axewoman Sarah Grant.
The X-Women will host UPEI in the AUS semi-finals next Saturday at 1:00 pm. The Axewomen will prepare for the hosting of the AUS championship in Wolfville on Sunday, Oct. 31 at 1:00 pm against the winner of UPEI versus StFX.