Axewomen and StFX settle for scoreless draw

ANTIGONISH, NS - On a cool Sunday afternoon the Acadia Axewomen and the StFX X-Women played out an intriguing nil-nil draw. Anyone who previously thought that goals were necessary for an enjoyable spectacle, would have had to revise that particular notion. 

The first half of play between the rival sides was a cagey affair in which few scoring opportunities presented themselves. The Axewomen had more of the possession in the opening half, and Alexandra Scovil (Hubley, NS) and Jacqueline Stevens (Kentville, NS) made a number of interventions to keep the X-Women from gaining a foothold in the game.  The X-Women gradually built into the game with the aggressive play of Olivia Cziph (Thunder Bay, ON) earning StFX more time on the ball. 

Acadia had their best scoring chances from set pieces. The first corner of the match was in the 20th minute. A well-struck ball was claimed by Emma Kuzmyk (Ottawa, ON). With only a few minutes in the first half remaining, Acadia had a free kick from a dangerous position about 10 yards out from goal along the 18-yard box. Holly Buckler (Halifax, NS) struck it sweetly along the deck, but it was efficiently cleared to the relief of the Homecoming crowd. 

The 32nd minute was the first quality scoring opportunity for both sides from open play. A nice one-two between Chloe Brennan (Brookside, NS) and Mercy Myles (Accra, Ghana) led to a chance for Kelsey Ellis (Ottawa, ON), but a nice intervention by Acadia's Lauren Jodrey (Bedford, NS) led to the shot going astray. 

Just minutes before the first half whistle the impressive keeper, Sarah Charnock (Hazelbrook, PEI), was caught between two chairs with Ellis once again with the ball at her feet. Ellis nicely lofted a ball up in the air and all players and fans waited in suspense with the ball in midair, fortunately, for Acadia, the ball went wide of the net. 

The second half was equally as absorbing as the first. Jenna Boudreau looked increasingly dangerous and X centre-backs, Amy Rowe (Aurora, ON) and Paytan Ruiz (Pictou, NS), had to be sharp to quell the Acadia offensive attacks. The X-Women began to look the more likely of the two teams to score, but only marginally so. Chloe Brennan began to play higher up the pitch and linked up nicely with the front three of Ellis, Myles and Amanda Smith (Ottawa, ON).  

This year the X offence has given the most experienced of defenders a difficult time; however, Acadia's rookie centre back, Kamryn Brimicombe (Waverley, NS), played with a wisdom and skill beyond her years. Her positioning was first rate and the ability for her to be calm on the ball and avoid aimless boots down the field enabled her team to quickly on the counterattack. 

At the conclusion of the match, the teams remained scoreless, each earning a single point with the tie. Lauren Jodrey earned player of the game honours for the visiting Axewomen, while StFX's Mercy Myles took home Subway player of the game recognition. 

As the teams break for the traditional Thanksgiving weekend pause, Acadia (6-0-1) next see action when they host UNB in Wolfville on October 12th at 5:00 pm.  StFX (4-1-3) will host the Dalhousie Tigers on October 13th at 1:00 pm in Antigonish.  

Courtesy Bart Sears, StFX Sports Information