X-Women soccer drop pair of home games

The StFX soccer X-Women dropped a pair of home games over the weekend at Oland Stadium.
 
Sunday afternoon, the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues earned a 2-1 win on the strength of second-half goals from Donya Salomon-Ali (58th minute), on a penalty kick, and Santana Wedge (80th).
 
Defender Brianna Cuzzolino played goal for the X-Women after an injury to Danica McConnell in the 11th minute. Despite giving up both goals, Cuzzolino was stellar, making eight saves in a losing effort, while earning player-of-the-game honours.
 
The X-Women opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Melanie Sunada converted a cross from Stephanie Venedam.
 
Saturday, Venedam, a native of Pomquet, Antigonish County, scored her first CIS goal in the X-Women’s 2-1 loss to the Saint Mary’s Huskies. Venedam beat goalkeeper Samantha Bell in the 88th minute.
 
Kara Slawter had both Huskies’ goals (43rd and 81st minute).
 
Windy conditions were a factor for both teams in the match-up.
 
The X-Women had the early territorial advantage, with the Huskies’ response late in the half culminating with the Slawter goal after she broke between two StFX defenders.

The best opportunity of the first half for the X-Women came when Rachel Dragan rang a shot off the goal post behind Bell.
 
Bell made four saves, while Maris Miller recorded five in the match.
 
Venedam, with two, and Sunada and Maura Woodman, one each, had the shots on goal for the blue and white.
 
Venedam and Slawter earned player of the game for their respective teams.
 
The X-Women (1-6-2) return to action this weekend when they travel to St. John’s for a pair of matches versus the host Memorial SeaHawks.