Axewomen finish the season with a 6-0 record and a 39-26 win over StFX

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The Axewomen rugby team finished the 2021 AUS regular season with an undefeated record of 6-0 that included a 2-0 record against the defending AUS champion StFX X-Women.

For the first time in modern team history, the Axewomen posted an undefeated season with a 39-26 win over the visiting X-Women in front of an exuberant crowd that reached over 1000 in attendance.

The game opened up with a Taryn McLachlan try at the five-minute mark, but StFX responded only 12 minutes later with a try by Maddie Haroun and conversion by Danielle Franada to give the X-Women their first of only two leads.

Rookie Mychael Paris responded three minutes later with a try to give the Axewomen a 10-7 lead that was quickly erased by a Tashayla Tynes try, giving StFX their last lead of the game.

Laura Pfleiderer replied at the 32-minute mark with a try to end the half with a 15-12 lead.

Pfleiderer would open the second frame only three minutes into the last half with her second try of the night that included a Sarah Grant conversion to give Acadia a 22-12 lead they would not relinquish.

Emilie Merilainen added an unconverted try six minutes into the half and Kaitlyn Jinda added her first of the season at the 58-minute mark to give the Axewomen a commanding 34-12 advantage.

Maddy Ross closed the gap to 34-19 that included a conversion by Franada.

Taryn McLachlan added her second try of the night at the 69^th minute.

The game was closed with a try by StFX's Madison MacInnis at the 80^th minute.

AUS Player of the Game, Sarah Grant, who had two conversions for the Axewomen, was thrilled with the win and how the team reacted to the challenge of playing the X-Women for a 6-0 season.

"The intensity of the girls going in… we were ready to go. It was an incredible feeling. I really can't explain it. These girls are absolutely unbelievable and incredible to look up to. I am living the dream. This is an incredible boost of confidence. It is unreal," noted first-year Axewoman Sarah Grant.

The X-Women will host UPEI in the AUS semi-finals next Saturday at 1:00 pm. The Axewomen will prepare for the hosting of the AUS championship in Wolfville on Sunday, Oct. 31 at 1:00 pm against the winner of UPEI versus StFX.