Antigonish, NS - The STFX X-Men defeated the UPEI Panthers by a 3-0 score-line Sunday afternoon at STFX Stadium to improve to 2-0 in the opening weekend. UPEI, after a battling draw in CBU on Saturday, drop to 0-1-1.

In the first half UPEI were put under pressure early and often as the X-Men controlled possession and territory. Logan Rieck (Cambridge, ON), Kyle Cordeiro (Oakville, ON) and Carson Ripoll (New Glasgow, NS) made numerous short one-touch passes in and around the UPEI 18-yard box to put the Panthers defence under considerable pressure. Jonathan MacKenzie (Charlottetown, PEI) did well to keep X attackers at bay. Rightback Colin Curran (Montague, PEI), had all he could handle with X's numerous intricate passes but handled himself with the composure of a Champions League defender.

StFX had a number of set pieces throughout the half, but the strikes were well defended. Of note, forward Salem Farag (Charlottetown, PEI) covered space as well as man. It was through open play that STFX looked most likely to score and they did so in the 29^th minute of play. A brilliant strike by first-year player Samuel Barrowcliffe (Princeton, ON) gave the X-Men a hard-earned one goal lead. Once again, it was fine buildup play by both midfielders and attackers that led to the goal.

UPEI keeper Evan Couturier (Lower Coverdale, NB) was tested and made a number of fine saves and good clearances to keep the Panthers within touching distance at half time as they trailed 1-0. 

Chances for most part were few and far between in the second half for both teams. The defending was a bit loose which led a to a number of fouls being conceded by both teams.  The UPEI midfield duo of Kasper Lasia (Ottawa, ON) and Duncan Murray (Damascus, ON) was able to get a grip on the game and limit the X-Men's chances; however, a dynamic two-minute spell by STFX put paid to Panthers chances of an opening weekend road victory. 

Barrowcliffe scored his second goal of the game in the game's 65^th minute. Rieck delivered a perfect through ball that Barrowcliffe ran onto. Couturier came out to challenge Barrowcliffe, who had to deliver a solid strike to put the ball in the back of the net. 

Not two minutes later it was Rieck who scored after taking a fine pass from Cordeiro. It was just reward for Rieck, who made any number of fine passes to his teammates throughout the game, was able to put his name on the scoresheet and secure a win for the X-Men. 

Down, but not out, UPEI competed to the end and had a few good chances to get a consolation goal. After good buildup play Lasia delivered a fine ball to Farang, but his shot went just wide of the mark. In the game's dying minutes, Jonah Bartlett (Stratford, PEI) had UPEI's best chance when he angled a header on net, but was expertly saved by X keeper, Samuel Diltz (New Market, ON), who was able to preserve his clean sheet and seal the 3-0 victory for the X-Men.

For his two-goal effort, Samuel Barrowcliffe received Subway player of the game honours for STFX. UPEI's Duncan Murray was the player of the game for the visitors.

Next on the schedule for UPEI will be their home opener on Saturday, September 17^th when they host Saint Mary's in Charlottetown at 3:15 pm.

StFX will travel to Sackville, NB to face Mount Allison next Saturday, also at 3:15 pm.

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Recap courtesy Bart Sears, STFX Sports Information

Sam Barrowcliffe picks up Subway Player of the Game honours with two goals in the X-Men's 3-0 win over UPEI! #goxgo #SubwayFuel pic.twitter.com/cZANyWYNJT

— StFX Athletics (@StFXAthletics) September 11, 2022