X-Women clinch first place with Homecoming win over Acadia

ANTIGONISH, NS - A four try performance from Gabriel Pizza Player of the Game Jessie Penney and a 35-point second half powered the STFX X-Women rugby squad to a decisive 47-12 Homecoming win over the visiting Acadia Axewoman on Saturday afternoon at STFX Stadium in front of 1000 fans.

With the win, the X-Women clinched first place in the AUS standings and will host the championship match at STFX Stadium on October 22.  

Acadia got on the board early in the match, with Brielynn Murrant touching town in the fifth minute.

Akwaima Akpan replied for the home side four minutes later, running one in from about five yards out.

Juliette Matsukubo put the Axewomen ahead nine minutes later, with Sarah Gunn converting, but Penney's first try of the game in the 37th minute, followed by a Katie Murphy conversion tied the score at 12-12. 

The second half was all X-Women, with Brown'nesha Willis-Glasgow landing her first try of the afternoon four minutes in, with Murphy again converting.

Penney touched one down seven minutes later, and Willis-Glasgow added her second try of the game in the 54th minute. 

Penney added two more tries, smashing one home in the 58th minute, and adding another with seven minutes to go. Jilliam Griffith went 4-4 on the conversions in the second half. 

Acadia's Meg Varden was player of the game for the Axewomen. 

The X-Women return to action next weekend, when they visit the Saint Mary's Huskies on October 11 at 7 p.m.

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics

Prior to the game, STFX Athletics recognized the graduating 4th and 5th year X-Women student-athletes and staff

SCORING SUMMARY
ACA 12-0: 12
STFX 12-35:47

1^st HALF
ACA – Brielynn Murant try, 5^th minute
STFX – Akwaima Akpan, 9^th minute
ACA – Juliette Matsukubo try, 18^th minute (Sarah Gunn convert)
STFX – Jessie Penney try, 37^th minute (Katie Murphy convert)

2^nd HALF
STFX – Brown'nesha Willis-Glasgow try, 44^th minute (Katie Murphy convert)
STFX – Jessie Penney try, 51^st minute (Jillian Griffith convert)
STFX – Brown'nesha Willis-Glasgow try, 54^th minute (Jillian Griffith convert)
STFX – Jessie Penney try, 58^th minute (Jillian Griffith convert)
STFX – Jessie Penney try, 73^rd minute (Jillian Griffith convert) 

Players of the Game:
ACA – Meg Varden
STFX – Jessie Penney