Mounties defeat X-Men in preseason action

(SACKVILLE, NB) The Mount Allison Mounties football team returned to Alumni Field for the first time in 2024 to welcome the St. Francis Xavier X-Men to Sackville for preseason action, playing to a 17-10 victory over the three-time defedning AUS champions.

It was a defensive and kicking battle between both teams as the Mounties took a 4-0 lead at the end of the first quarter after a missed field goal five minutes into the game, and then a converted field goal from 16 yards out at 7:45 left in the first.

Another single gave the Mounties a 5-0 lead with 7:44 to go in the second quarter, but a big play downfield to Ayres Perry set the X-Men up in scoring position, and a 43-yard field goal from Ben Hadley brought the visitors to within two points with just under six minutes to play in the quarter. After trading possessions, the X-Men would take the lead on the final play of the half with a 29-yard field goal and went to the locker room ahead by a score of 6-5. 

Strong kicking from STFX continued in the second half as Hadley hit from 36 yards away to extend the X-Men lead to four. An X-Men safety at 6:15 left in the third quarter would bring the Mounties back to within two points, and a big catch from Ryan Brockway set Mount Allison up nicely in scoring position. A 27-yard field goal restored the Mounties lead at 10-9 with a minute to go in the quarter, and the teams headed to the fourth quarter with Mount Allison ahead by one.

A missed field goal early in the fourth helped the Mounties hold onto their lead before an interception by Sam Lecker-Evans was returned for a touchdown for the first touchdown of the game and an extended Mounties lead. The home was up 17-9 with 5:21 to go in the game. A single with under two minutes to play got STFX to within a score, but the Mountie defense held up late and went into victory formation with a 17-10 win over the X-Men.

Mount Allison will open the regular season at home against the Acadia Axemen on Saturday, August 24th at 2:00 pm. STFX have a bye next weekend and open their season on the road against Bishop's on Saturday, August 31st with kick-off set for 2:00 pm.

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Recap courtesy Mounties Athletics