X-Women overtake Huskies with 5-1 victory

Antigonish, NS - In their first home game of the AUS season, the StFX X-Women wrapped up a six-point weekend with a commanding 5-1 victory over the Saint Mary's Huskies Sunday afternoon at STFX Stadium.

The X-Women opened the match with early pressure as first-year forward Brynn Jurus (Ancaster, ON) attacked a pass played out by Huskies goalkeeper Soninka Nandha (Surrey, BC) and fired off a shot, forcing the keeper to give up a rebounding save. Veteran striker and team captain for the X-Women, Amanda Smith (Ottawa, ON), ensured that the rebound found the back of the net in the fifth minute of play, but her goal was called back offside.

Nevertheless, the X-Women refused to back down and their efforts were rewarded 10 minutes into the game. A corner kick served in by fourth year midfielder Jenna Burrows (New Glasgow, NS) found the feet of Abby Steen (Stittsville, ON), who volleyed the ball into the net to give the X-Women an early lead.

Only one minute later, the Huskies keeper was tested again as a free kick taken by Abby Steen (Stittsville, ON) was destined for the top corner. Nandha tracked the ball and managed to tip it over the crossbar and out of danger.

As the first half progressed, the X-Women were strong in their attack, effectively working the ball through the midfield to find repeated chances on goal. The Huskies also had several opportunities to challenge the StFX defenders as the half wore on. Saint Mary's captain Anelise Karakostas (Victoria, BC) delivered a shot on goal in the 19th minute but X-Women goalkeeper Christina Gentile (Laval, QC) was there to calmly scoop up the save.

While the Huskies struggled to break the StFX defence in the first half, Huskies defenders Jenna Lileikis (Calgary, AB) and Kamryn Brimicombe (Waverley, NS) put forth a persistent offensive effort. In the 36th minute, Saint Mary's defender Molly McLeod (Kamloops, BC) ensured the game remained at 1-0 heading into halftime as she cleaned up a dangerous through ball.

Entering the second half, both teams fought for even possession in the opening 10 minutes. Saint Mary's increased their offensive pressure with Karakostas searching for goals early on, to no avail.

In the 54th minute, StFX saw their lead extended to 2-0 following an own goal by Huskies defence. A ball played in over the back line from second-year Lauren Seamone (New Germany, NS) was unsuccessfully cleared and found the back of the SMU net past the outstretched arms of the Huskies goalkeeper.

With two goals on the scoreboard, the X-Women maintained a composed front and continued to pepper the SMU net with shots. A ball through to Jurus in the 63rd minute left her face to face with the SMU keeper and her shot went just wide of the net. Minutes later, Saint Mary's returned the favour as first year forward Virginia Boone (Halifax, NS) went 1v1 down the centre of the pitch with a StFX defender. Playing high off her line, Gentile was well-placed to catch the shot.

Ten minutes later, Gentile was forced to make a quick reaction save as a through ball to Boone resulted in a strike on goal. The save resulted in a corner kick from the Huskies, who capitalized on the opportunity with a shot launched into the far corner of the net. The goal was scored by third year defender Brimicombe.

Throughout the second half, Saint Mary's defender Genelle Morash (Chester, NS) fought hard to keep the X-Women from increasing the score. However, StFX remained relentless in their attack and brought the score to 3-1 in the 80th minute as third-year Natasha Chojnacki (Victoria, BC) scored her first goal for the X-Women on a beautiful volley into the top right corner.

Five minutes later, first-year midfielder Caitlin Crichton (Ottawa, ON) demonstrated impressive composure to put StFX up 4-1. After receiving a give-and-go at the 30-yard mark, she continued to split the Huskies defenders before slotting the ball past the goalkeeper. In the 90th minute, Crichton recorded an assist as well, finding Talia Morin (Ottawa, ON) who wrapped up the game with goal number five.

Tehya Blake (Orleans, ON) was named Subway Player of the Game for her composed leadership in the X-Women defence.

Huskies goalkeeper Soninka Nandha recorded seven saves, with X-Women goalkeeper Christina Gentile also tallying seven saves. The X-Women led the way for shots on goal with 12, while the Huskies recorded eight.

The Huskies will be back in action on Thursday night when they play they home opener against crosstown rvials Dalhousie.

The X-Women will take to the road for a pair of games in New Brunswick. Moncton will provide the opposition on Saturday afternoon, following by a match in Fredericton on Sunday against UNB. Kick-off for both games is 1:00 pm.

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Courtesy Alyssa Spridgeon, STFX Sports Information

Tehya Blake picks up Subway Player of the Game in the X-Women's 5-1 win over SMU in their home opener! #goxgo #subwayfuel ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/696damWTPF

— StFX Athletics (@StFXAthletics) September 12, 2021