Antigonish, NS - On seniors' day at StFX, the Dalhousie Tigers defeated the StFX X-Women by a 2-1 score line. The Tigers pounced on their early game dominance by scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes with the X-Women only able to claw one goal back before the half-time break.
The opening minutes of the match saw Dalhousie midfielder Maya Venkataraman (Summerland, BC) assert control on proceedings with a number of nice passes and her ability to win the ball of StFX players. It was fitting that she opened the scoring with a precision strike into the top corner of the net that gave no chance to X-Women keeper Erin Visser (Whitby, ON). StFX were under pressure in their own box when Venkataraman secured control of the ball and scored just under four minutes into the match.
The second Tigers goal was scored by Jensen Hudder (White's Lake, NS). The X-Women had initially cleared a Dalhousie corner kick only for the Tigers to get the ball back into the StFX box. Hudder pounced on a pass by Venkataraman and calmly deposited the ball into the back of the net.
StFX's general play improved as the half progressed and were able to have more time in possession. Their hard work and skill paid off after 38 minutes when Chloe Brennan (Brookside, NS) chested a great cross by Emily Fleming (Faibault, MB) down to her feet and then fired a strike past Dalhousie rookie keeper, Kate Fines (Halifax, NS).
The second half was a spirited affair with both teams in search of another goal. On more than one occasion did Fines have to show great timing and bravery to come out and smother a quality X ball into the box. On the strength of an excellent start and some stout defending did the Tigers deserve the three points on offer.
The player of the game for the X-Women was Chloe Brennan, with the Subway Player of the game being awarded to Maya Venkataraman.
The win puts the Tigers (6-3-1) into a tie for second place in the AUS standings with Memorial (5-1-4) as both teams have two games left in regular season play. Dalhousie will host first place Cape Breton (10-0-0) on Saturday afternoon and UPEI (4-5-1) on Sunday.
The X-Women (5-3-3), currently one point out of second place travel to Wolfville to play Acadia (5-3-2) on Friday evening for their final game of the season.
StFX is slated to host the Subway AUS Championship November 2-5 at StFX Oland Stadium where the top six teams in the conference will advance.
GAME NOTE: Prior to the game the X-Women honored their graduating senior athletes: Chloe Brennan, Elise Brennan, Oliva Czipf, Margaux Fraser, Danielle Makar, Erin Visser and Olivia Wilkie.
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Courtesy Bart Sears, StFX Athletics Communications