X-Women Rugby defeat Panthers in home opener

Antigonish, NS – The STFX X-Women defeated the UPEI Panthers 34-28 Sunday afternoon at STFX Stadium in their home opening game.

With the win, the defending AUS champion X-Women improve to 2-0 on the season. The Panthers fall to 0-2.

STFX controlled the possession early in the game but then the Panthers exerted offensive pressure eight minutes into the half as they were inside the X-Women zone and threatening to score.

They made good in the 15^th minute when Rowan Gallagher (Halifax, NS) crossed the try line for the first score of the game. Jorja Cook (Victoria, BC) made good on the conversion to give the visitors the 7-0 lead.

Three minutes later, Ria Johnston (Charlottetown, PE) broke through the STFX defense and had a 40-yard run to touch down for the Panthers second try. They went up 14-0 on Cook's second conversion.

The X-Women replied in the 27^th minute as Kate Childs (Halifax, NS) caught a key ball off a STFX lineout and her teammates moved the ball close to the try line with winger Maddie Weisshaar (Wilcox, SK) touching down. Katie Murphy (Millvale, PE) kicked the convert to pull the X-Women within seven points.

Emma MacDougall (Halifax, NS) wrapped up the first half scoring with an unconverted try for X late in the half during extra time.

UPEI held the 14-12 advantage at halftime.

The X-Women took their first lead of the game in the 47^th minute when Skye Koyote (Duncan, BC) scored their third try of the afternoon after prolonged offensive pressure in the Panthers end of the field. The unconverted score gave X a 17-14 lead.

STFX kept up the possession as the Panthers fought to get back into the game.

After extended time in the Panthers end, and a key steal off a Panthers lineout, the X-Women moved the ball and veteran fullback Katie Douglas (Charlottetown, PE) scored in the 60^th minute. Murphy booted her second conversion of the game to give the X-Women a 24-14 advantage.

STFX's fifth try came from Ava Bangs (Calgary, AB) six minutes later and the Panthers replied with a try in the 72^nd minute which was awarded as a penalty try as STFX's Weisshaar was sent off.

The X-Women went down two players when Akwaima Akpan (Halifax, NS) was sent off for a penalty in the latter minutes of the game.   

UPEI controlled much of the possession in the final 10 minutes of play and their pressure resulted in their fourth try of the game when fifth year prop Emily Duffy (Saint John, NB) touched down in the final minute of play. Cook's conversion pulled the Panthers to within a single point, 29-28.

X-Women centre and Gabriel Pizza player of the game Emily Dodge (Fall River, NS) sealed the win with a final try in extra time.

Panthers fullback Ria Johnston earned player of the game honours for her squad.

UPEI will next see action on Saturday, September 21^st when they host Saint Mary's in a 2:00 pm match. STFX will be on the road on the 21^st, travelling to Wolfville, NS for a 2:00 pm against Acadia.

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Recap courtesy Krista McKenna, STFX Athletics

SCORING SUMMARY
UPEI 14-0: 14
STFX 12-0: 12

1st HALF
UPEI – Rowan Gallagher try, 15^th minute (Jorja Cook convert)
UPEI – Ria Johnston try, 18^th minute (Jorja Cook convert)
STFX – Maddie Weisshaar, 27^th minute (Katie Murphy convert)
STFX – Emma MacDougall, 40^th minute
STFX – Katie Douglas, 60^th minute (Katie Murphy convert)

2nd HALF
STFX – Skye Koyote, 47^th minute
STFX – Katie Douglas, 60^th minute (Katie Murphy convert)
STFX – Ava Bangs, 66^th minute
UPEI – penalty try, 72^nd minute
UPEI – Emily Duffy, 80^th minute (Jorja Cook convert)
STFX – Emily Dodge, 80^th minute

Players of the Game:
UPEI – Ria Johnston
STFX – Emily Dodge

Legend:
Try: 5 points
Penalty goal: 3 points
Convert: 2 points