Antigonish, NS - The X-Women (4-2-0) kicked off the weekend at StFX Stadium with a late afternoon match against the Cape Breton Capers (5-0-1) on Friday. Despite the cool and sunny conditions, a win was not in the cards as StFX fell 1-0 to the U SPORTS No. 5 ranked Capers.
Both teams started the match with intensity, firing off a flurry of shots early on. Within the first five minutes, Cape Breton managed to earn two corner kicks, one of which nearly resulted in a scoring opportunity as the ball rolled across the face of the StFX goal and out of bounds. 2019 AUS all-star strikers Amanda Smith (Ottawa, ON) and CBU's Alliyah Rowe (Kitchener, ON) hit a shot each, testing the goalkeepers immediately.
StFX defenders Tehya Blake (Orleans, ON) and Abby Steen (Ottawa, ON) worked hard throughout the first half to shutdown Rowe, using their physicality to ensure the CBU striker could not break through the back line. In the 19th minute, Hannah Yantha (Cambridge, ON) ran through to goal heading for a ball played along the ground from Smith. However, Capers goalkeeper Haley Kardas (Halifax, NS) came sliding out to collect the chance.
Only one minute later, X-Women goalkeeper Christina Gentile (Laval, QC) was tested. A Cape Breton forward dribbled the ball to the goal line before crossing it across the mouth of the goal. Gentile remained patient and tracked the ball as it travelled to Rowe, coming up big to make the save on a close-range shot.
In the StFX midfield, Brynn Jurus (Ancaster, ON) used her speed and technical footwork to link with Smith and Lauren Reid (Ottawa, ON), but the CBU backline remained tight in the middle to prevent opportunities from within the 18-yard box.
As the first half hit the 30-minute mark, the X-Women switched gears and maintained the majority of the pressure. Lavers (Halifax, NS) kept the game scoreless heading into halftime, clearing balls that approached the Capers defensive third.
The best opportunity for the X-Women came in the 45th minute and Smith demonstrated confidence in her ball control, holding up the ball against pressure. At just the right time, Smith played the ball to Caitlin Crichton (Ottawa, ON) whose shot soared just over the crossbar and the game remain scoreless at halftime.
Both teams started the second half with intensity, as Fatou Ndiaye (Pierrfonds, QC) maintained a defensive and offensive presence for the Capers. Despite StFX's pressure, the Capers capitalized on an unlucky deflection at the 50-minute mark. Forward Victoria Miller (Ottawa, ON) sprinted down the left wing and Blake fought to hold her off, attempting to clear the ball to safety. Unfortunately, the ball deflected off the incoming Miller, who continued to run to goal and placed the ball into the far corner of the net.
The X-Women continued to push for an equalizer, with Crichton and Yantha combining to force the Capers goalkeeper to come sliding out for the save. Jenna Burrows (New Glasgow, NS) did an excellent job in the midfield as she connected with the attackers, using dynamic movement to help as a pivot player in the centre of the pitch. As the half wore on, the CBU defenders worked hard to stay compact in the middle, ensuring that Smith was unable to get an easy shot on target.
It seemed that StFX was destined to even the score in the 76th minute as a ball played through defenders to Jurus was slotted into the corner of the net. However, luck was not on the side of the X-Women as the goal was ruled offside.
First year defender Mairin Canning (Antigonish, NS) was named the STFX Player of the Game for her speedy and patient defending on the right wing. Capers goalkeeper Hayley Kardas was named Subway Player of the Game for the visitors, recording 14 saves.
StFX goalkeeper Gentile registered five saves. The X-Women had 19 shots in 90 minutes of action, while the Capers had 11.
The Capers hit the road for their next match, playing UPEI on Sunday in Charlottetown.
The X-Women will look to bounce back on Sunday as they travel to Acadia for a 1:00pm game.
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Courtesy Alyssa Spridgeon, STFX Sports Information