Axewomen remain undefeated with a win & a tie

HALIFAX, N.S. - The Axewomen soccer team remains undefeated with a tie and a win this past weekend, improving to 4-0-4 and holding onto second place in the AUS standings - trailing UNB by one point with the Varsity Reds holding a game in hand.

Acadia picked up a tie against the UPEI Panthers in Charlottetown on Saturday. Transfer Axewomen Laura Gray scored the tying goal at the 85th minute after Panther Sarah Stanley scored the UPEI goal three minutes into the second half. Gray had two of the team's 13 shots on goal and scored her first goal of the 2014 season. The Panthers sit in sixth place with a 3-2-2 record.

"We knew Saturday was going to be a challenge as we thought that UPEI has a dangerous attack. I think they get on the scoreboard in almost every game. Still our players fought throughout the game, there were some good chances and their keeper did really well", pointed out head coach Amit Batra. "When they went up 1-0, we responded the way you want with urgency and kept attacking until we broke through in the last few minutes and salvaged a tie on the road. Anytime you fight back like that there is a positive to be taken."

The Axewomen returned home from the Island and visited Halifax the next day to take on the winless Saint Mary's Huskies. Acadia got off to a quick start with goals from Katie Ross at the seven minute mark and Emily Nickerson within the first 15 minutes of the match.  Playing from behind the Huskies were forced to push the play forward, which left them exposed at defense as Acadia directed 12 shots on goal throughout the game. The Axewomen's tough defense and solid goaltending allowed their early 2-0 lead to hold up, leaving the Huskies searching for their first win.

The road trip to UPEI and return home to play the next day was a challenge but Batra noted that the team responded well. "After a tough return road trip in one day to UPEI and back we came out really well against Huskies and scored early and scored again before the game was half way through the first half", said Batra. "We were also able to play to different tactics in both weekend games which shows that the players ability to adapt.  We're just plugging away and trying to stay on course. Everything is a process."

The Axewomen host StFX for the third time this season this Friday night at 5pm. In their first meeting in exhibition, Acadia picked up a 1-0 win but in their regular season meeting on September 19, the result was a scoreless tie. The Axewomen then head to Cape Breton to face teh Capers on Sunday October 5th, before the Thanksgiving break. During the break, Acadia will face a visiting University of Maine in exhibition.