Axewomen smother Huskies with 7-1 win

(WOLFVILLE, N.S.) The Axewomen soccer team exploded in a 7-1 win over the visiting Saint Mary's Huskies in Acadia's season home opener and start the opening weekend with a 1-0-0 record.

Eleven minutes into the first half, fifth year senior Kinsella Noseworthy Smith scored her first of a two goal night against the Huskies. Noseworthy Smith was eventual Subway Player of the Game with her two goal performance.

The Huskies responded five minutes later when Jaime Baker (Lower Sackville, N.S.) picked up a lose ball for the unassisted goal.

Senior midfielder Michelle Pryde (Calgary, Alta.) scored the eventual game winner 22 minutes into the opening half. Noseworthy Smith would score her second unassisted goal at the 31 minute mark followed by Pryde's second of the night in the closing minutes of the first half.

At the 72 minute mark, the Axewomen took a commanding 5-1 lead off of a Saint Mary's own goal.

Second year midfielder Brittany Taylor (Calgary, Alta.) scored her first regular season career goal with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game.

All-Canadian defender Emily Nickerson ended the scoring spree with a 90 minute mark penalty kick marker to end the seven goal outburst.

"I thought we did well and I think Saint Mary's has improved a lot. We attacked well at the same time I think we could have been sharper in the first half and it took us a little while to up the tempo", commented Axewomen head coach Amit Batra.

"I'd give credit to Saint Mary's, they are vastly improved even though I know the score doesn't show that but the game was 1-1 and was tight in the opening and it took a while to break down", added Batra.

Fiorella Morales was named the Saint Mary's Subway Player of the game, while teammate and keeper Ashley Blank made nine saves with 16 shots on goal.

Prior to the game, Acadia University retired Gunnhildur Baldursson's number nine jersey. Baldursson died in a car accident in 1987 on Nova Scotia's highway 101. The jersey has never been worn since. Baldursson's retired jersey is only the third time a jersey number has been retired at Acadia University.

The Axewomen host the Mount Allison Mounties at home on Sunday, while the Huskies host Moncton on Sunday.