Aucoin leads Axewomen to 7-1 win over Huskies

HALIFAX, NS – Acadia midfielder Abigail Aucoin scored a pair of goals and added an assist, leading the Axewomen to a decisive 7-1 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies on Thursday night at Huskies Stadium in Halifax.

Coming off a 1-0 defeat to the Memorial Sea-Hawks, the Axewomen were determined to get back into the win column and showed off their offensive ability early and often throughout the match.

Acadia had several scoring opportunities and corner kicks through the first 20 minutes, but the Huskies backline and goalkeeper Katie Alley (Milton, ON) were able to deny the opportunities. In the 21^st minute, Axewomen midfielder Brenna Kennedy (Fletchers Lake, NS) launched a free-kick from the left sideline that beat Alley high to open the scoring 1-0.

Acadia would score three more times before the half was over, as Abigail Aucoin (Dartmouth, NS) potted back-to-back goals in the 32^nd and 34^th minute, before a shot by forward Riley Bonadie (Ottawa, ON) was stopped by Alley, but the rebound ricochetted off a post and off a defender for an own goal, giving the visitors a 4-0 lead.

The Huskies would cut into the Axewomen lead in the 42^nd minute, as midfielder Sarah Eden (Ottawa, ON) played a great through-ball to forward Cara Freeman (Halifax, NS) who was able to beat Axewomen goalkeeper Laila Houshan (Markham, ON). Freeman's third goal of the campaign cut the lead to 4-1 after the first half.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ⚽️

Cara Freeman scores her third goal of the season off the pass from Sarah Eden to cut the Axewomen lead to 4-1!

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— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) September 19, 2024

Both teams began the second half with several substitutions, including the Huskies making a chance in nets, bringing in first year goalkeeper Tatyana Olsen (Winnipeg, MB).

The Acadia attack did not let up, scoring three more second half goals. Forward Alli Kelly (Halifax, NS) scored  a gorgeous volley off of an assist from Abigail Aucoin to make it 5-1 in the 50^th minute.

Twenty minutes later it was the younger Aucoin sister Marin (Dartmouth, NS) who scored the first goal of her AUS career to make it 6-1, and reserve midfielder Jamie Verhun (Calgary, AB) finished the scoring with a 88^th minute goal off of a Mya Harnish (Lower Sackville, NS) assist to secure the 7-1 victory for Acadia.

Abigail Aucoin was named Player of the Match with two goals and an assist while goaltender Laila Houshan made six saves for the win.

The Axewomen win improves their record to 4-1-1 on the season. They'll be back in action on Sunday, hosting the STFX X-Women (3-1-0) at 1 p.m. in Wolfville, NS.

The Huskies loss drops their record to 2-4-1 on the season. They'll return to Huskies Stadium on Sunday, as they host the Dalhousie Tigers (1-2-2) at 1 p.m.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics