X edges Axewomen in AUS Championship game on PK

SYDNEY, N.S. – The 2016 Subway AUS Women's Championships ended in nail-biting fashion on Sunday afternoon at CBU Field. The St. Francis Xavier X-Women defeated the Acadia Axewomen 2-1 (3-2 pk). The teams battled back and forth on a cold day of excellent women's soccer that saw the #4 seeded X-Women continue their improbable run to the title. 

St.FX started out strong and enjoyed the bulk of the play in the first half. They were rewarded with a 44' strike by Kelsey Ellis (Ottawa, Ont.) and took a 1-0 lead into the half. X began the second half playing conservatively and trying to protect their lead. Acadia applied pressure throughout the 2nd half and had many chances. They finally broke through in the 78' minute to tie the game.  Acadia outshot St.Fx 9-5 during the game but X goalie Nicole Macdonald (Kanata, Ont) was up to task and turned away all but 1. The game ended with Acadia on the offensive but would head into extra time 1-1. 

The two teams played with a cautious approach in extra time and were not able to generate much offense. Near the end of 120' the X-women switched out their goalie to have Erin Visser (Whitby, Ont.) face the penalty shots. It was the same move they made when they defeated the host Cape Breton CAPERS on Friday night. The two teams headed to the penalty spot knotted at 1. The X-women scored on 3 of their shots and that was enough to secure the victory. 

The St.Francis Xavier player of the game was the goal scorer Kelsey Ellis. The Acadia player of the game Katie Ross (Bedford, N.S.). MVP of the tournament was X goaltender Nicole MacDonald 

The St. Francis Xavier X-women prevailed again and the #4 seed continued their magical run to the title. The X-women will next head to Acadia next week to represent the AUS as champions. Acadia will also attend the nationals as the host university.