Axewomen run past Panthers 69-12 to advance to AUS final

(CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.) – The top-seeded and CIS No. 7-ranked Acadia Axewomen advance to their fourth consecutive AUS final with a convincing 69-12 victory over the fourth-seeded and host UPEI Panthers in the opening semifinal of the 2013 Subway AUS women's rugby championship Saturday afternoon at UPEI's Alumni Canada Games Place.

The Axewomen, 7-1 in regular season play, were in control of the game from start to finish, taking a 43-7 lead into the halftime break.

Acadia's Katie Amirault (Ottawa, Ont.) opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a try to give the top-seeds an early 5-0 advantage.

Four minutes later, Subway Player of the Game Veronique Russell (Markham, Ont.) scored her first of three tries in the opening half for the Axewomen. Russell, a third-year winger, also added tries in 18^th minute and the 39^th minute of the first half.

UPEI's Holly Jones (Riverview, N.B.) got the Panthers on the board in the 15^th minute with a try that was converted by AUS all-star Emily Keen (Marshfield, P.E.I).

Rounding out the first half scoring for the Axewomen were Shannon White, Victoria Fink and Michaela Haley, each with tries.

Acadia would add to their lead early in the second half when Victoria Fink scored her second try of the game in the 45^th minute.

Clarissa MacDonald scored again in the 65^th minute, before UPEI's Jones added her second try of the day to make the score 57-12 for the Axewomen.

Acadia's Nicole Kelly and AUS all-star Allison Jordan completed the second-half scoring, with tries in the final ten minutes. Kelly also added seven conversions in the victory to finish with a game-high 19 points.

The Subway Player of the Game for UPEI was second-year flanker Holly Jones (Riverview, N.B.)

"I thought we came out strong in the first half," said Acadia head coach Matt Durant, named the AUS coach of the year Friday night. "UPEI played tough right until the end but I also thought our squad did a good job of staying focused. We are looking forward to getting some rest and preparing for tomorrow's final."

With the win, the Axewomen keep their hopes of returning to a second straight CIS championship alive.

Acadia will now play in their fourth consecutive AUS final, and will face the winner of the second semifinal between StFX and Saint Mary's in Sunday's championship game at 2 p.m.

The Axewomen have fallen to the StFX X-Women in the previous three championship games, losing 72-0 in 2012, 60-0 in 2011 and 57-0 in the 2010 final.

All games of the championship are available via webcast at www.AUStv.ca.

SCORING SUMMARY
UPEI: 7-5: 12
Acadia: 43-26: 69

First half
Acadia: Katie Amirault – try, 4th minute. 5-0
Acadia: Veronique Russell – try, 8th minute. (Nicole Kelly convert) 12-0
Acadia: Shannon White – try, 11th minute. 17-0
UPEI: Holly Jones – try, 15th minute. (Emily Keen convert) 17-7
Acadia: Veronique Russell – try, 18th minute. (Nicole Kelly convert) 24-7
Acadia: Victoria Fink – try, 30th minute. (Nicole Kelly convert) 31-7
Acadia: Michaela Haley – try, 34th minute. 36-7
Acadia: Veronique Russell – try, 39th minute. (Nicole Kelly convert) 43-7 

Second half
Acadia: Victoria Fink – try, 45th minute. (Nicole Kelly convert) 50-7
Acadia: Clarissa MacDonald – try, 65th minute. (Nicole Kelly convert) 57-7
UPEI: Holly Jones – try, 69th minute. 57-12
Acadia: Nicole Kelly – try, 73rd minute. 62-12
Acadia: Allison Jordan – try, 79th minute. (Nicole Kelly convert) 69-12

Subway Players of the Game

UPEI: Holly Jones (Riverview, N.B..)
Acadia: Veronique Russell (Markham, Ont.)

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

SCHEDULE & RESULTS

Saturday, Oct. 26
Semifinal #1: Acadia 69, UPEI 12
Semifinal #2: StFX vs. Saint Mary's, 2:00pm (www.AUStv.ca webcast)

Sunday, October 27
Championship final: Acadia vs. TBD, 2:00pm (www.AUStv.ca webcast)

Source: UPEI Sport Information