Soccer Axemen lose 1-0 to X-Men

ANTIGONISH, N.S. - The StFX X-Men (7-2-0) recorded a 1-0 win over the Acadia Axemen (1-8-0) in a Saturday afternoon matchup at StFX Stadium, further solidifying their first place ranking atop the AUS standings. 

StFX dominated possession throughout the match, with the Axemen content to sit back and defend. Nevertheless, the Axemen had their own offensive chances. 

Fourteen minutes into the first half, Andrew Keating (Halifax, NS) raced down the left wing and sent a cross flying through the X-Men six-yard box. StFX goalkeeper Seamus MacDonald (Antigonish, NS) handled the challenge well, diving through traffic to punch the ball to safety.  

Acadia's backline remained compact, particularly in the central zone, making it difficult for the X-Men to slot balls through and create opportunities on goal. A header from Nick Aquino (Dartmouth, NS) in the 35th minute nearly resulted in a goal for StFX, but the shot was saved at close range by Axemen goalkeeper Michael O'Flynn (North Vancouver, BC).  

For the Axemen, defender Tyr Duhaney-Walker (Russell, ON) maintained a strong defensive and offensive presence, sprinting up and down the wing to connect with the Acadia forwards.  

On the X-Men defence, veteran Josh Read (Bath, ENG) continuously showed his composure, with a notable contribution midway through the first half. Despite falling in the X-Men box, Read managed to quickly recover and win a vital tackle, preventing a potentially dangerous shot from Acadia. 

Scoreless after the first half, the second half brought increased intensity from the X-Men as they exhibited their hunger to score a goal. Ziad Abdelrahman (Toronto, ON) had two key chances in the 60th minute, with both shots going just wide of the goal.  

Acadia fought to remain organized in the back as StFX became increasingly threatening but Cam Shaw (Ottawa, ON) broke through in the 70th minute to score the X-Men's lone goal of the game.  

Shaw received a ball in the air from Kyle Cordeiro (Oakville, ON), allowing the ball to bounce once in front of him before flicking it over the head of an Axemen defender. He continued to run onto the ball, striking it on the bounce for a beautiful shot into the top left corner of the goal.  

The X-Men nearly recorded a second goal seven minutes later as a corner kick from Logan Rieck (Cambridge, ON) was driven into the box at waist height. Abdelrahman attempted a low shot on goal but O'Flynn denied the opportunity with a two-footed save.  

Senior X-Men goalkeepers Seamus MacDonald and Will Veinot (Bedford, NS) split the clean sheet for STFX. 

The Subway Player of the Game for the X-Men was Cam Shaw, while Acadia Player of the Game honours were given to Tyr Duhaney-Walker.  

The X-Men return to action Friday at 7:15pm in a home game against the Dalhousie Tigers. 

The Axemen will return to action tomorrow as the face the Cape Breton Capers in a 3:15pm home game. 

Courtesy Alyssa Spridgeon, STFX Sports Information