WOLFVILLE, N.S. – A late goal by rookie Dante Borsella, lifted the Acadia Axemen soccer team past the visiting Memorial Sea-Hawks in a 2-1 win.
Scoreless after the 32 minutes of play, Sea-Hawk Jordi Slaney tipped in a free kick taken 30 yards out from Axemen keeper Nic Jefferies.
Less than a minute later, the Axemen struck back on a cross kick by Ryan Parris that was settled quickly by Spencer Buck and sent to the back of the net pass Sea-Hawks Player of the Game Braedan Sheppard.
The game continued with the Axemen posting several great chances, only to fall short of the needed game winning goal.
Out-shooting Memorial 14-10 with six shots landing on goal, not until the 65th minute did Borsella score the game winner. Travis Fenning, near the goal line, sent a pass back to the top of the 18 yard box where Borsella fired a strike to the top corner of the net, out of reach of Sheppard.
It was Borsella's first game of the regular season after dealing with an injury since late August.
"After the opening goal, we didn't play composed, but after 5 minutes after their goal, we began to dominate. Coach told us to slow the game down and stick to our game. We were giving the ball away cheaply, which we normally don't do. It was more of a mental thing, rather than an ability thing. The intensity was there, it was more about our mental side", noted team captain Matthew Berrigan.
The win keeps the Axemen in the playoff hunt as they sit fourth in the AUS standings. Cape Breton, StFX and UNB have clinched playoff spots. The Axemen close out the regular season with two games at home next weekend that include StFX on Friday and UPEI on Saturday. Memorial hosts Moncton for two games next weekend.