Axewomen win first AUS rugby championship since 2015

ANTIGONISH – In dramatic fashion, the Acadia Axewomen defeated the STFX X-Women 29-25 to win the AUS championship title in front of close to 1000 fans at STFX Stadium. 

After trailing for the majority of the game, the X-Women took a narrow 25-24 lead in extra time after scrum half Katie Murphy (Millvale, PE) kicked a penalty goal. 

But on the final possession of the game, Acadia's Brooke Reid (River John, NS) made the final score, clinching the victory.  

The championship banner is the second one in team history for the Axewomen, having previously won in 2015.  

Acadia opened the scoring in the game. After consecutive bursts by Lucinda Breau (Moncton, NB) and Sara Grant (Melrose, AB), the first try was scored by Acadia's No. 8 Olivia Savoie (Garnett Settlement, NB) in the 11th minute. 

The unconverted try gave the visitors an early 5-0 lead. 

The X-Women surged back and were deep in the Acadia zone, but twice turned the ball over. 

Reigning AUS most valuable player Skye Koyote (Duncan, BC) touched down for the X-Women in the 21st minute as the X scrum pushed over the try line. The try went unconverted to tie the game. 

The Axewomen then scored three unanswered tries to close out the opening half. 

They regained the lead with an unconverted try by Frances Claire Aceron (Estevan, SK) in the 28th minute. 

Flanker Brooke Reid scored the third Axewomen try of the game and Grant kicked the conversion to increase their lead to 17-5.  

Ebehiremen Otoikhine (Calgary, AB) then scored late in the half and Grant made good on the conversion to give Acadia a 24-5 lead at halftime.  

AUS all-star Akwaima Akpan (Halifax, NS) gave the X-Women new life scoring two consecutive tries. The first came four minutes into the second half and the second in the 54th minute. Both went unconverted as the X-Women trailed 24-15. 

The Axewomen were down a player for 10 minutes as Sam Reid (River John, NS) was sent to the sin bin in the 53rd minute. 

Another Acadia penalty came in the 70th minute as Sarah Gunn (Scotsburn, NS) was sent off. 

The X-Women pulled to within two points, 24-22 in the 73rd minute when Jillian Griffith (Upper Tantallon, NS) scored and Katie Murphy (Millvale, PE) made good on the convert. 

His set the stage for the dramatic Murphy penalty goal which ignited the partisan STFX crowd, only to be subdued minutes later by Reid's game-winning try for Acadia. 

Acadia's Aceron was named player of the game and championship most valuable player for her strong game play. 

STFX's Akpan garnered player of the game honours for her squad. 

With the victory the Axewomen now advance to the U SPORTS national championship being hosted by UPEI in Charlottetown October 30 to November 3.  

Recap courtesy Krista McKenna, STFX Athletics 

SCORING SUMMARY 

ACA 24-5: 29 
STFX 5-20: 25 

First half 
ACA – Olivia Savoie try, 11th minute 
STFX – Skye Koyote try, 21st minute 
ACA – Frances Claire Aceron try, 28th minute 
ACA – Brooke Reid try, 34th minute (Sara Grant convert) 
ACA - Ebehiremen Otoikhine try, 38th minute (Sara Grant convert)  

Second half 
STFX – Akwaima Akpan try, 44th minute 
STFX – Akwaima Akpan try, 54th minute 
STFX – Jillian Griffith try, 73rd minute (Katie Murphy convert) 
STFX – Katie Murphy penalty goal, 80th minute 
ACA – Brooke Reid try, 80th minute 

Players of the Game: 
ACA - Frances Claire Aceron  
STFX – Akwaima Akpan 

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