Huskies score four straight goals for 4-2 comeback win over #9 ranked X-Women

ANTIGONISH, NS - The Saint Mary's Huskies scored four straight second half goals to defeat the U SPORTS #9 ranked StFX X-Women 4-2 on Saturday afternoon at Huskies stadium.

The X-Women played a possession game early on, with the Huskies maintaining their formation well. The first scoring chance of the game came in the first eight minutes, off a deep throw-in from Saint Mary's, with Brooklyn Salgueiro (Dartmouth, NS) hitting a volley just over the bar from in close. 

STFX got on the board a few minutes later, with Brynn Canning (Antigonish, NS) delivering a corner kick that found the feet of Emma Steen (Stittsville, ON), who fired a low pass to fifth year forward Lauren Reid (Kanata, ON), who knocked it over the goal line in the 11th minute. 

In the 26th minute, Huskies goalie Katie Alley (Milton, ON) came up with a huge diving save off a Reid header, after a high cross from Avery Rogers (Toronto, ON).

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ⚽️

Katie Alley with a fantastic save! Huskies trail X-Women 1-0 in the first half.

Watch live: https://t.co/sZvHK3c1yt pic.twitter.com/1XeGYk49KT

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) September 28, 2024

Saint Mary's came close to replying in the 35th minute, but a long distance strike from Jossalyn Downey (Waterloo, ON) hit the crossbar and bounced straight down before STFX was able to clear. 

Shots on goal at half time were 6-2 in favour of STFX as they held onto the 1-0 lead.

The X-Women continued to hold possession for the early part of the second half, and doubled their lead 13 minutes in, with Ava Elgood (Almonte, ON) tapping home a penetrating cross from Reid, who was named player of the game for STFX.

The Huskies cut into the deficit three minutes later, as it was Charlotte Baines (Halifax, NS) driving home a low shot after picking up a through pass from Cara Freeman (Halifax, NS).

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ⚽️

Cara Freeman finds Charlotte Baines for the Huskies goal, cutting the X-Women lead to 2-1 in the second half. pic.twitter.com/0qg6FRBZjP

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) September 28, 2024

Saint Mary's continued to pressure to tie the game, and it was Freeman who found the equalizer in the 75th minute, potting one low on a penalty kick after a foul in the STFX 18-yard-box.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ⚽️

Cara Freeman does it again! Scores a penalty kick for her fifth goal of the season, tying the match at 2-2 in the 75th minute! pic.twitter.com/Em0eIcw3hG

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) September 28, 2024

Three minutes later, the Huskies took the lead after Baines headed one in off a tight angle from a Sarah Eden (Ottawa, ON) corner kick.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ⚽️

Charlotte Baines heads home the Sarah Eden corner to put the Huskies ahead 3-2 in the 78th minute! pic.twitter.com/d3unv75bAr

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) September 28, 2024

The Huskies continued to move the ball forward, and doubled their lead in the 83rd minute, as midfielder Julia Pasma (Georgetown, ON) pounced on a rebound and found the back of the net.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ⚽️

What a comeback for the Huskies! Julia Pasma scores their fourth straight unanswered goal to take a 4-2 lead in the 82nd minute! pic.twitter.com/RVgmxoSdbH

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) September 28, 2024

X-Women goalkeeper Hailey Jones (Ottawa, ON) had five saves while picking up the loss, while Huskies goalkeeper Kaitlyn Alley also made five saves in the win, picking up player of the game honours for the visitors. 

The Huskies win improves their record to 4-4-1 on the campaign, good for fourth place in the AUS. Saint Mary's will continue their road trip on Sunday as they visit the Cape Breton Capers (6-0-1) in Sydney, N.S. at 1 p.m. AT.

The X-Women loss drops their record to 3-3-1 on the season. They'll be back in action on Sunday as they host the Memorial Sea-Hawks (2-4-1) at 1 p.m. in Antigonish, N.S.

Recap by: Matt Draper / STFX Athletics
Photos by: Bryan Kennedy / STFX Athletics