Rugby X-Women primed to contend for AUS crown  

The STFX X-Women will kick off the 2025 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) rugby season on home turf, under the lights, when they host the UPEI Panthers at StFX Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m.

"Everyone is ready to go," X-Women head coach Mike Cavanagh said, noting that the program is coming off a "very good preseason."

On a five-match swing through Quebec, the veteran X mentor added that the 47 student-athletes who made the road trip "really proved themselves."

"We were very impressed," Cavanagh said of the players' performances, noting that they came in "very fit" and displayed how much hard work that they put in over the summer.

Noting the White and Blue roster is "still fairly young" - with only two fifth-year student-athletes - Cavanagh explained that the program has welcomed a "big crew" of 17 newcomers.

"We have gotten better every day, and we are excited to show what we can do," the multi-time AUS coach of the year said of the season opener with the Panthers.

As for the teams that they will have to battle for an AUS banner, Cavanagh explained that the Acadia Axewomen - the defending conference champs - should be "very strong." Acadia edged STFX 29-25 in the conference title tilt in 2024.

Noting that the Panthers are dealing with a roster turnover, after "loading up" to host the U SPORTS championship tournament last season, Cavanagh pointed out that UPEI, along with Saint Mary's - a program that has also "lost some key players," have welcomed new head coaches.

"They are heading in the right direction," he offered of those two teams.

As for who will lead the way for the White and Blue, Cavanagh pointed to key veteran contributors and co-captains - back row Skye Koyote (Duncan, BC), the 2024 AUS most valuable player, and the multi-dimensional Sierra Wood (Stirling, ON).

The X-Women coaching staff also expects big things from back row Shona Galloway (Upper Tantallon, NS) and No. 8/back row Akwaima Akpan (Halifax, NS), both fourth-year senior student-athletes.

"It is a big plus," Cavanagh said of having a "healthy and ready to go" Emily Dodge (Fall River, NS), a fourth-year centre.

Sophomore wing/fullback Alison LeBlanc (Saint John, NB) is expected to continue to build on her strong season in White and Blue.

As for who will be counted on to contribute in their first seasons from the 2025 recruiting class, there is 2nd row/No. 8 Brown'nesha Willis-Glasgow (North Preston, NS), who starred for the  Team Nova Scotia squad that finished fourth at the recent Canada Summer Games.

"She is going to light it up," Cavanagh said of her anticipated impact in the AUS.

Calla Desrosiers (Halifax, NS), a hooker, flanker and centre, who also suited up for Nova Scotia at the Canada Games "will be very good for us," he informed, along with fellow Bluenoser Isla David (Dartmouth, NS), who is a wing-centre.

"They are looking really good," Cavanagh added of a pair of first-year props - Erica Doyle (Miramichi, NB) and Katryna Mattern (Wilcox, SK).

He noted that the X-Women program is also "really excited" about newcomers No.8-back row Jamie LaFrance (Ottawa, ON) and hooker-back row Lauren Ruff (Ottawa, ON).

The White and Blue women's rugby program being thought of as a family will take on an even deeper meaning this season, with a trio of sisters from Ottawa -  fifth-year senior Kendra, sophomore Macy and freshman Ainsley McDonell - suiting up. Their parents - Michelle and Ian - met at and graduated from STFX; both also played rugby.

"We expect them to be on the field all at once, which will be special," Cavanagh said, noting that it will be the first time in his career that he has coached three siblings on one team.

With the combination of talented first-year and returning players in the line-up, he believes that the X-Women will be able "to move the ball."

Cavanagh explained, "We have a very mobile pack of forwards and a fast backfield," of how they will be able to reach that goal and "score some points."

Defensively, although the X-Women do not have as much size as in other campaigns, they should be able - with their speed and mobility - "to take away time and space," while pressuring opponents in an effort to "shut them down."

Along with contending for an AUS crown, Cavanagh indicated the X-Women are focused on being one of the two conference representatives that will compete at the 2025 U SPORTS championship tournament, from Oct. 29-Nov. 2, at the University of British Columbia.

"We are definitely heading in the right direction," he said of what's required to reach their goals.

The 2025 AUS women's rugby semi-final - a match-up between the second and third-place finishers in the regular season - is scheduled for October 15 or 16, with the winner of that tilt to face the first-place team in the championship match on October 22 or 23.