Axewomen edge UPEI 24–19 to advance to AUS final, U SPORTS national championship

WOLFVILLE, N.S. — The Acadia Axewomen booked a spot in the AUS championship game with a 24–19 win over the UPEI Panthers on Wednesday.

Acadia took control in the first half through Brielynn Murrant. She opened the scoring in the 11th minute, finishing under the posts with Sarah Gunn adding the conversion for a 7–0 lead. Murrant struck again in the 26th to make it 12–0. UPEI answered in the 33rd minute when Emily-Anne MacQurrie crossed to cut the margin to 12–5 at halftime.

The Axewomen extended their lead early in the second half. Olivia Savoie finished in the 42nd minute to push it to 17–5. Five minutes later, Taryn McLachlan powered over and Gunn converted for a 24–5 advantage.

UPEI fought back. MacQurrie scored again in the 55th minute, with Lauren Misener converting to make it 24–12. The Panthers pulled closer at the 80-minute mark when MacQurrie completed her hat trick and Laurence Cormier added the conversion, but Acadia closed out the final phases to secure the win.

Players of the Game: Acadia — Taryn McLachlan; UPEI — Emma MacLean.

Scoring summary
First half:
ACA — Brielynn Murrant try (conv Sarah Gunn), 11'
ACA — Brielynn Murrant try, 26'
UPEI — Emily-Anne MacQurrie try, 33'

Second half:
ACA — Olivia Savoie try, 42'
ACA — Taryn McLachlan try (conv Sarah Gunn), 47'
UPEI — Emily-Anne MacQurrie try (conv Lauren Misener), 55'
UPEI — Emily-Anne MacQurrie try (conv Laurence Cormier), 80'

Next up: Acadia travels to Antigonish to face St. Francis Xavier in the AUS championship game on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m.