First place X-Women extend winning streak to 11 with win over Mounties

Sackville, NB – The U SPORTS No. 4 ranked StFX X-Women (18-1-2) extended their winning streak to 11 games with a 4-2 victory over the Mount Allison Mounties (3-15-3) Saturday evening.

The X-Women held a 1-0 lead after two periods and scoring three more in the third period to hang on for the win, their 18^th of the season as they lead the AUS standings.

Veteran fifth year captain Daley Oddy opened the scoring in the game just 43 seconds in. Linemate Sarah Bujold found her open in the slot in front of the Mounties net and the leading scorer in the country made no mistake beating MtA netminder Keri Martin.

The goal was Oddy's 14^th of the season as she leads all of U SPORTS in goals and points with 28 on the season.

The X-Women outshot the home squad 14-6 in the opening period and took the 1-0 lead to the locker room.

The second period saw some rough play from both sides but no goals were scored as the StFX 1-0 lead held through 40 minutes. Shots also favored the X-Women in the middle frame at 6-5.

Santana Gravelle gave the X-Women a 2-0 lead with a third period scored only 35 seconds into the period. After sustained pressure in the Mounties zone, Lindsey Donovan got the puck across the point to Gravelle who blasted a shot. Martin, through the screen, got a piece of the puck but couldn't hold on as it went in past her and the X lead increased.

At the 6:50 mark, Bujold gave the X-Women a 3-0 advantage as she knocked in a rebound off an Emmerson Elliott shot.

The Mounties got themselves back in the game late in the period as they had a 5-on-3 power play. Just after it expired and while they were still on the man-advantage, captain Heather Richards potted a rebound past X-Women goalie Cassidy McEwan off a shot from Abby Beale. The goal came at 16:43.

Just 21 seconds later, Jessica Desautels pulled the Mounties to within one goal as she shoveled in the puck after a goal crease scramble.

Mount A had another power play opportunity late in the period as they pressed for the equalizer. They pulled Martin with under a minute to play in favour of a 6-on-4 advantage but Kate Gotaas stole the puck and brought it up ice netting an empty netter with 35 seconds left in the game to seal the win for StFX.

Final shots were 29-19 for the X-Women as McEwan posted 17 saves in net for the win. Martin turned aside 25 pucks for the Mounties.

X-Women defense Lindsey Donovan received Subway player of the game honours.

Next on the AUS schedule sees the X-Women host the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues on Saturday, February 3^rd at the StFX Keating Centre. The Mounties are right back in action tomorrow afternoon when they host the Dalhousie Tigers at 3:30 pm.

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Courtesy StFX Sports Information