St. Thomas avenged last weekend’s loss with a 15-5 win over the Mount Allison Mounties on Friday night. The Mounties had ruined STU’s perfect season the previous weekend, and it was the Tommies’ turn to do the same. STU went into halftime tied up and remained even with Mount Allison until the final 15 minutes in front of one the largest crowds the program has ever seen.
“I think the crowd had a pretty big impact. It was amazing to see such a great turnout,” said STU’s Hillary Shields. “I was impressed with how everyone played until the very last minute… We knew we had to keep the game in our favour.”
Like last week, the two teams went back and forth most of the game. Mount Allison struck first, but the Tommies soon struck back, with Keirsten Steeves and Taylor Dube linking up and drawing in the defender, opening up Kaitlin Gamble for a try in the corner. Steeves was unable to convert.
As the game went on, Shields began to frustrate Mount Allison with several try-saving tackles in front of the rowdy Alumni crowd. STU then began dominating possession and Shields was able to capitalize on a break and touch the ball down in the corner.
With the game very much in control of the Tommies, Mount Allison went for a final drive but had no answer for the St. Thomas defense. STU turned the ball over, but Shields kicked the ball out, ending the game and winning player of the match.
STU and Mount Allison both sit at 3-1 on the season. The Mounties sits just ahead on bonus points having scored four tries in their win last week, while STU scored only three Friday night.
