ANTIGONISH, NS - The StFX X-Women (5-4-0) fell 2-0 to the U SPORTS NO. 9 ranked Acadia Axewomen (6-1-2) in a Saturday afternoon matchup at StFX Stadium. The win propelled the Axewomen to first place in the AUS conference standings.
Despite the X-Women having a few strong opportunities in the opening 10 minutes of the match, the Axewomen ultimately prevailed on two goals from senior midfielder Madicynn Harnish (Lower Sackville, NS).
Early on, X-Women midfielder Natasha Chojnacki (Victoria, BC) had two chances on goal, with the first coming from a corner kick in the 4th minute. Chojnacki managed to get a head on the ball and direct it towards the Axewomen net but goalkeeper Milena Ramirez (New Minas, NS) safely collected the shot.
Less than two minutes later, Chojnacki ran through the Axewomen defenders to receive a pass from Brynn Jurus (Ancaster, ON). Her shot rolled just wide of the net but sent a message to the Acadia defence that they would need to be on their guard for the remainder of the match.
Acadia's first goal of the match came in the 11th minute as Harnish struck the ball from 30 yards out, finding space over the outstretched arms of X-Women goalkeeper Christina Gentile (Laval, QC). Following the goal, Acadia persisted with the pressure, utilizing the speed of their wingers to make runs into the StFX defensive third. First year Axewoman Grace Somers (Bedford, NS) demonstrated considerable speed on the left wing, using this to her advantage to provide Acadia with opportunities in the 18-yard box.
For the remainder of the first half, Acadia continued to press, with many long balls delivered into the danger zone from defender Lauren Jodrey (Bedford, NS).
In the 35th minute, Harnish scored her second goal of the match as she hit a bouncing shot off of an assist from Grace Longley (Bedford, NS). Unluckily for the X-Women, the shot took a deflection from a StFX defender and redirected into the back of the net.
The second half had fewer scoring opportunities, as the X-Women fought to get on the scoresheet. Sixty-seven minutes into the game, a through ball found Jayden Boudreau (Halifax, NS) alone in the StFX 18-yard box. Choosing to come out and cut down the angle, Gentile stayed big and managed to prevent a third goal as she made a great leg save.
In the X-Women backline, Abby Steen (Stittsville, ON) helped to shut down further opportunities, making several key tackles to win the ball from Axewomen attackers. StFX's best chance of the half arose with only five minutes left as Amanda Smith (Ottawa, ON) dribbled down the wing and beat the Acadia goalkeeper, delivering a ball towards the near post. However, Somers managed to slide and block the shot, preserving the Acadia clean sheet.
Abby Steen earned Player of the Game honours for the X-Women, while Madicynn Harnish was named Subway Player of the Game for her two unanswered goals.
The Axewomen led in shots with 18, while the X-Women recorded 11. Christina Gentile tallied 13 saves in goal for the X-Women. Milena Ramirez earned the clean sheet for the Axewomen with 6 saves.
The X-Women take on the Dalhousie Tigers (4-2-1) at home on Friday with a 5pm kickoff.
The Axewomen return to action tomorrow as they return home to play the Cape Breton Capers at 1pm.
Courtesy Alyssa Spridgeon, STFX Sports Information