Tigers play to 0-0 draw with StFX X-Men

Antigonish, NS - The top of the table StFX X-Men and the visiting Dalhousie Tigers battled to a nil-nil draw on Friday evening at STFX Stadium.    

Just as the women's game earlier, the men played a tight affair with very little to choose from between the sides.    

The game was brought to life by both team's wingers. For the X-Men Dyan Vil (Ottawa, ON) worked hard on the flank to win the ball and was often a deft receiver of crosses from distance to relieve pressure and delivered many a fine ball to his forwards to create chances at goal.    

Many of Dalhousie's best chances were initiated from the now MBA student William Warren Windsor Junction, NS), whose great skill and creativity delighted friend and foe with his dazzling play during his undergraduate days at StFX.  Now dressed in black with the trademark blue boots retained, the Tigers captain would, as he deemed necessary, cut infield to search out an open player or put in great crosses for his teammates.    

As the game settled, the X-Men's Carson Ripoll (New Glasgow, NS) found the enterprising Cameron Shaw (Ottawa, ON) cutting into the box but whose shot could only manage to hit the side netting.    

Near the end of the half, Warren found Enrico Rodriguez (Halifax, NS) in a dangerous position but X keeper Seamus MacDonald (Antigonish, NS) was equal to the task.  

For those who were late getting back to their seat for the second half, they missed Shaw finding himself on the edge of the six-yard box and whose shot, agonizingly for X fans, skimmed just feet along the entire length of the goal.    

Dalhousie's Matthew Larter (Waverley, NS) and STFX's Max Bodurtha (Halifac, NS) stifled any offensive chances being created through the middle of the field. However, after 15 minutes, there was one breach as fans were put on the edge of their seat as Shaw raced to a ball just inside the 18-yard box but, fortunately for Tigers fans, the superb'keeper Aiden Rushenas (Toronto, ON) got to the ball just in time.    

As hard as the X-Men pressed for a goal, the Tigers remained composed and assuredly absorbed X's attacks and were almost rewarded as the game entered the 90th minute.  Openings in STFX's defence appeared as DAL went on the counter-attacks and X committed two fouls deep in their own territory. The free kicks were from dangerous angles but sound set piece defending prevented the Tigers from snatching three points.  

StFX and Dalhousie rightly shared the spoils of 90 minutes of play as the game concluded in the 0-0 draw.  

Dalhousie (4-2-3) will be back in action on Sunday afternoon when they travel to Sydney to face the Cape Breton Capers. StFX (7-2-1) will host Mount Allison on Sunday in their final home game. Game time for both matches is 3:15 pm.