Antigonish, NS - On a cool grey Saturday afternoon at Oland Stadium the Acadia Axewomen defeated the hometown X-Women by a score of 1-0. It was a strong effort by the Axewomen, who dominated the always assured X-Women throughout the match.

Acadia started the match brightly and allowed the X-Women little time on the ball. The duo of Destiny Lutz (North Vancouver, BC) and Candace Conrad (Dartmouth, NS) set the tone early in the match with good ball control and also made a number of good reads to intercept X passes. The result was twofold:  StFX could not maintain possession on which to build momentum and, in contrast to last year's epic AUS final between the two teams, StFX were unable to absorb the Acadia pressure effectively.

The consequence of great Acadia play was quickly felt on the scoreboard. After only eight minutes of play Jenna Boudreau (Halifax, NS) made a great dart down the right wing, made her way into the 18-yard box and fired a low hard drive that ended in the far side of the net.  X-Women keeper, Emma Kuzmyk (Cookstown, ON) had no chance for a save.

StFX were not without their chances in the first half with Margaux Fraser (Mississauga, ON) having a few opportunities at goal. Her best effort came from just after a number of nice moves just outside the box, but was well saved by substitute keeper, Spencer Skinner (Hammonds Plains, NS) who came on for the injured Sarah Charncock (Newmarket, ON).

The second half was similar to the first in that Acadia controlled proceedings, though could not find a second goal. Katie Ross (Bedford,NS), the Subway Player of the Game, was a force throughout, and her striking prowess, especially at set pieces, was unlucky not to lead to a second Acadia goal.  Boudreau's partner up front, Jenna Howell (Dartmouth, ON) were a constant threat, with StFX's Amy Rowe (Aurora, ON) often coming to the rescue. 

This squad of X-Women players is a quality unit that, even if goals are hard to come by, never beat themselves. Today, they were well-beaten by an Acadia team that looked capable of avenging last year's AUS final loss.

Both teams are back in action tomorrow afternoon. StFX travels to Halifax to face Saint Mary's, while Acadia travels to Sydney to play Cape Breton. Both games are slated for 1:00 pm.

Courtesy Bart Sears, StFX Athletics Communications