Acadia erupts for six second half goals, defeat Panthers 7-0
Sunday’s match didn’t go quite as well as Friday’s thrilling home opener.
By Thomas Becker
Sunday's match didn't go quite as well as Friday's thrilling home opener.
The second half got away from the UPEI Panthers quickly, as the Acadia Axewomen handed them a 7-0 loss.
The Axewomen (2-0) scored six goals in 25 minutes, leaving the home crowd stunned. Sydney Kennedy and Lauren Clarke each scored two goals with an assist, while Abbey Aucoin, Grace Somers and Grace Longley also chipped in with goals.
UPEI kept pace with Acadia for most of the first half before a great counter attack in the 40th minute led to the game's opening goal. Somers found Aucoin at the top of the box, where she made a quick move by Roselyn Kushko before skipping a low shot by the left post.
The Panthers (1-1) went into the break with some confidence, thinking they could battle back for the draw, but the Axewomen had other plans.
As soon as the first whistle blew, the Axewomen found another gear and quickly added to their lead. In the 55th minute, Aucoin found Kennedy to her left where she sent a low shot off the far post and in.
About seven minutes later, Aucoin set up another teammate, this time on the corner kick. Aucoin lobbed a deep kick into the box that Somers put away with a header.
In the 69th minute, Kennedy fired a deep shot from the top right corner of the 18-yard box that landed in the far side corner for the beautiful goal.
Two minutes later, Alli Kelly came in from the right wing and casually passed the ball in the box, where Clarke got a boot on it and tapped it by Mazzei to make it 5-0.
The Axewomen scored again in the 80th minute, as the Panthers had trouble clearing the ball. Acadia played around with the ball in the penalty area before Longley turned and fired from close range for the easy goal.
Their last score came in the 82nd minute when Kennedy beat Grace Veinotte with a crafty touch before passing it through the goal area for an easy tap in by Clarke.
The Panthers look to rebound after a tough loss when they take on the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues September 8 at 5 p.m. The Axewomen return home for a Saturday game against the Mount Allison Mounties.
Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek
