Axemen fall 3-1 at STFX; Mellema scores late

ANTIGONISH, N.S. — The Acadia Axemen dropped a 3–1 decision to St. Francis Xavier on Sunday in Atlantic University Sport men's soccer at STFX Stadium.

StFX took the lead in the first minute when Logan Rieck converted a penalty. The hosts doubled the advantage in the 29th minute as Samuel Barrowcliffe finished a move started by Isaac VanWychen and Nico Goldsztein. VanWychen made it 3–0 in the 35th minute off a pass from Noah MacIntyre.

Acadia threatened throughout the half. Toni Adeoye forced multiple saves from goalkeeper Samuel Diltz, Aaron John tested the keeper from distance, and Jabu Deng hit the post in the 12th minute. The Axemen generated pressure from a series of corners but trailed 3–0 at the break.

In the second half, Acadia continued to press. Adeoye and Deng each produced headed chances, and goalkeeper Connor Burns kept the visitors within reach with saves on Luke Green, Luka Robichaud Allah and VanWychen.

The Axemen pulled one back in the 87th minute when Blaise Mellema scored unassisted to cut the deficit to 3–1. Deep in stoppage time, Acadia earned a penalty, but goalkeeper Cameron Greenlaw saved Mellema's effort to seal the result.

StFX outshot Acadia 26–12 (9–10 on target), while the Axemen held an 8–7 edge in corner kicks. Burns made six saves for Acadia. Diltz stopped six shots in the first half for StFX, and Greenlaw added three saves after the interval. No cautions were issued. Attendance was listed at 266.

Scoring summary: 1' — STFX Logan Rieck (pen.); 29' — STFX Samuel Barrowcliffe (assist Isaac VanWychen, Nico Goldsztein); 35' — STFX Isaac VanWychen (assist Noah MacIntyre); 87' — ACA Blaise Mellema (unassisted).

Next up: Acadia hosts Cape Breton on Friday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the final home match of the regular season.