Axemen settle for 2-2 draw vs Tigers

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The Acadia Axemen were unable to maintain their lead and ended up tying the Dalhousie Tigers 2-2 at Acadia on Friday night.

Acadia's goaltender Nicholas Jeffries (Rothesay, N.B.) was forced to make an early diving save during the third minute and deflected the ball just wide of the net.

At 29', midfielder Dante Borsella (Moncton, N.B.) jumped up into the play and made his way through several Dalhousie defenders before threading a pass to Gordon McLaughlin (Peterborough, Ont.), though his shot would not get through. Moments later, McLaughlin had another amazing chance but missed again.

In the last few minutes of the first half, McLaughlin finally found the back of the net with a powerful shot past several defenders and the goalie. The goal was his first of the year and gave the Axemen a 1-0 lead.

In the 45th minute in the half, Jacob Bolton (Halifax, N.S.) of the Tigers found himself with plenty of room outside the box and took his shot. Within minutes of Acadia establishing their lead, Bolton took it away and tied it up 1-1.

Six minutes into the second half, Jeffries made another diving save to keep the ball from crossing the goal line.

At the 58 minute mark, Connor Keith (Wilmot, N.S.) set up a beautiful cross to McLaughlin who leaped up and picked Keith's pass out of the air and struck the ball into the back of the net. His amazing goal had the bench fired up and the crowd roaring.

McLaughlin's opportunity for a third came in the 68th minute, but Tigers goaltender Ben Grondin (Calgary, Alta.) stole his opportunity for a third goal.

The Tigers wouldn't let the Axemen keep their lead for too long. In the 72nd minute, Dalhousie defender Emilio Roche (Calgary, Alta.) crossed the ball to fellow defender Jeffrey Arkin (Bedford, N.S.) who was able to finish the play and tie the game.

It looked like Dalhousie was about to take their first lead of the game, but their third goal was called back for offside and the game remained at 2-2.

The final score of Friday's game stayed at 2-2.

Defender Callum Legge (Vancouver, B.C.) of the Dalhousie Tigers played an errorless game and kept the Axemen from scoring more than 2. Legge was named Dalhousie's Subway Player of the Game for his all-around efforts.

McLaughlin was all over the field this game providing both offensively and defensively. His stand out performance earned him the Subway Player of the Game award.

The Axemen return home on Sunday to play Cape Breton University at 3:00 p.m.

Dalhousie plays their next game at SMU this Sunday afternoon.

Provided by Theodore Giesen, Acadia Athletics Communications