STFX X-Women capture 2025 AUS women's rugby title with 33-31 win over Acadia

(ANTIGONISH, N.S.) The STFX X-Women are once again Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women's rugby champions after a thrilling come-from-behind 33–31 win over the Acadia Axewomen on Wednesday night at STFX Stadium.

The victory marks the 24th AUS title for the X-Women as they look ahead to the U SPORTS national championship, Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 in Vancouver. The Axewomen also qualify for nationals.

The Axewomen opened the scoring just 90 seconds into the match when Sarah Williston touched down for a try, with Sarah Gunn adding the conversion.

The X-Women replied four minutes later as Alison LeBlanc notched a try and Katie Murphy kicked the convert.

Emma-Claire Heaslip scored an unconverted try for Acadia in the 16th minute, followed by another from Olivia Savoie. Gunn's second convert gave the visitors a 19–7 lead midway through the first half.

AUS all-star prop Jessie Penney responded with back-to-back tries in the 30th and 37th minutes. Murphy converted one of them to tie the game 19–19.

Kendra McDonell added another try for STFX in the final moments of the half, and Murphy's third convert gave the X-Women a 26–19 lead at halftime.

Penney, the leading scorer in U SPORTS this season, was later forced to leave the game after a hard collision.

Her fellow prop, Val von Muehldorfer, extended STFX's lead with a try in the 59th minute. Murphy's conversion proved to be the game-winner.

Despite trailing 33–19, the gritty Axewomen battled back. Samantha Reid scored an unconverted try in the 63rd minute, and AUS most valuable player Brielynn Murrant added another in extra time. A quick convert from Gunn brought Acadia within two points, but time ran out and STFX held on for the win.

Acadia fly half Sarah Gunn was named the Boston Pizza Player of the Game for her team, while STFX prop Val von Muehldorfer earned the honour for the X-Women and was also named championship MVP.

Both teams will represent the AUS conference at the U SPORTS championship hosted by UBC next week.

Recap courtesy of STFX Athletics

SCORING SUMMARY

Acadia 19-12 — 31
STFX 26-7 — 33

First half

• ACA – Sarah Williston try, 1st minute (Sarah Gunn convert)

• STFX – Alison LeBlanc try, 5th minute (Katie Murphy convert)

• ACA – Emma-Claire Heaslip try, 16th minute

• ACA – Olivia Savoie try, 24th minute (Sarah Gunn convert)

• STFX – Jessie Penney try, 30th minute (Katie Murphy convert)

• STFX – Jessie Penney try, 37th minute

• STFX – Kendra McDonell try, 40th minute (Katie Murphy convert)

Second half

• STFX – Val von Muehldorfer try, 58th minute (Katie Murphy convert)

• ACA – Samantha Reid try, 63rd minute

• ACA – Brielynn Murrant try, 80th minute (Sarah Gunn convert)

Boston Pizza Players of the Game:

• ACA – Sarah Gunn

• STFX – Val von Muehldorfer