X-Women defeat V-Reds, advance to AUS semifinals

Sydney, NS – The No. 4 StFX X-Women defeated the No. 5 UNB Varsity Reds 2-1 in the second quarterfinal game of the Subway AUS Women's Championship late Thursday night at CBU Field. The game featured some great defensive tactics and limited scoring chances.

The X-Women got on the board first in the 16th minute with an own goal. In a scramble in front of the UNB goal after a corner kick, a Varsity Reds defender misplayed the ball backwards deflecting it into her own net.

The teams then played the rest of the first half largely in the midfield with both teams failing to create any quality chances. The X-Women took a 1-0 into the dressing room.

The second half saw the X-Women start to apply pressure on the Varsity Reds defense and resulted in lots of shots on goal. AUS all-star keeper Sami Jo Bell (East Dover, NS) was forced to make many saves to keep her UNB team in the game.

StFX midfielder Margaux Fraser (Mississauga, ON) finally broke through with a top corner strike in the 72^nd minute to make it 2-0. 

UNB was awarded a penalty kick in the 76^th minute and Lauren Cubbon scored to get the V-Reds to within one.

The X-Women were able to hang on for the win despite a last second play in the box by the Varsity Reds. Mercy Miles (Accra, Ghana) earned the Subway Player of the Game for the X-Women while fourth year fullback Laura McNicholas was awarded player of the game for UNB.

With the victory, StFX now faces the No. 1 seed and host Cape Breton University Capers in the first semi-final game on Friday at 5pm.

Courtesy Cape Breton Sports Information