No. 9-ranked Axewomen clinch playoff spot with victory over Huskies

WOLFVILLE, N.S. — The Acadia Axewomen rolled to an 81-5 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies in Atlantic University Sport women's rugby action on Friday at Raymond Field.

The Axewomen (3-1) set the tone early, scoring seven tries in the first half on the way to their third victory of the season.

Gabby Shaw opened the scoring in the third minute, followed quickly by a try from Olivia Savoie in the sixth. Abbie Chisholm converted to make it 12-0.

Brooke Reid extended the lead in the 16th minute with Chisholm adding another conversion. Savoie struck again in the 29th, with Ava Demmings hitting the conversion.

Juliette Matsukubo pushed the margin further with a 31st-minute try, converted by Chisholm. Sarah Williston scored in the 39th minute, with Demmings connecting for the extra points. Matsukubo added her second of the half just before halftime, again converted by Chisholm, giving Acadia a commanding 47-0 lead.

Saint Mary's (0-4) broke through on the stroke of halftime when Sophie Van Berkel crossed the line to make it 47-5 at the break.

The Axewomen carried their momentum into the second half. Kelsie Pringle scored back-to-back tries in the 44th and 51st minutes, with Demmings converting the first. Maggie Helyer added another in the 59th minute, followed by a Chisholm try in the 68th.

Shaw closed the scoring with two late tries in the 71st and 74th minutes, sealing the 81-5 win.

Savoie was named Acadia's Player of the Game, while Anna Van Wart earned the honour for Saint Mary's.

The Axewomen next travel to Antigonish to face the StFX X-Women on Saturday, Oct. 4. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARY:
SMU 5-0: 5
ACA 47-34: 81

First half:
ACA #11 Gabby Shaw try 3rd minute
ACA #8 Olivia Savoie try 6th minute (Convert #12 Abbie Chisholm)
ACA #5 Brooke Reid try 16th minute (Convert #12 Abbie Chisholm)
ACA #8 Olivia Savoie try 29th minute (Convert #24 Ava Demmings)
ACA #14 Juliette Matsukubo try 31st minute (Convert #12 Abbie Chisholm)
ACA #15 Sarah Williston try 39th minute (Convert #24 Ava Demmings)
ACA #14 Juliette Matsukubo try 40th minute (Convert #12 Abbie Chisholm)
SMU #8 Sophie Van Berkel try 40th minute

Second half:
ACA #19 Kelsie Pringle try 44th minute (Convert #24 Ava Demmings)
ACA #19 Kelsie Pringle try 51st minute
ACA #22 Maggie Helyer try 59th minute
ACA #12 Abbie Chisholm try 68th minute
ACA #11 Gabby Shaw try 71st minute
ACA #11 Gabby Shaw try 74th minute

Players of the Game:
ACA: #8 Olivia Savoie
SMU #10 Anna Van Wart

Legend:
Try: 5 points
Penalty goal: 3 points
Convert: 2 points

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Recap and Photo courtesy of Acadia Athletics