Hockey X-Women ready for another competitive AUS campaign

By Corey LeBlanc

The STFX X-Women – defending Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women's varsity hockey champions – will open defense of their conference crown this weekend with a visit to Halifax to face the Dalhousie Tigers.

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4 at the Halifax Forum.

"There is a lot of excitement," X-Women head coach Ben Berthiaume, who is entering his 10th campaign, said of the mood around the program.

That mindset keyed a strong pre-season for the White and Blue, one in which they skated to a 5-0 record, while collecting two shutouts and outscoring their opponents 20-8.

The X-Women, who clinched the AUS banner last spring – a conference-best 12th for the program – by snapping the run of three consecutive title victories for the UNB REDS, return the bulk of their line-up, including a rock-solid recruiting class from 2023-24 that is entering its junior season. Now, with a championship pedigree, the veteran student-athletes in the line-up are expected to combine with a talented group of newcomers to be contenders for a repeat.

Between the pipes, the White and Blue – once again – will have plenty of depth, four goaltenders that the Antigonish native expects to be "fighting for the #1 spot," including fifth-year Bianca Zak (Stonewall, MB), and fourth-years Amaya Giraudier (Assiniboia, SK) and Brooklyn Oakes (Richmond Hill, ON), along with sophomore Jorja Burrows (New Glasgow, NS).

"We have a lot of options and we expect to be strong," Berthiaume said.

Whoever is patrolling the crease for the X-Women, they will be teaming up with a seasoned defence corps, one that boasts fifth-year Terryn Mozes (Kanata, ON) and fourth-year Kya Moss (Port Moody, BC), along with three juniors, including Mackenzie Lothian (Alliston, ON) – an AUS first-team all-star last season – Lainey Joyce (Vancouver, BC) and Bree MacPherson (Antigonish, NS). The will be joined on the blue-line by first-year player Isabella Mariano (Toronto, ON), along with experienced fifth-year Vivian Hinch (Vancouver, BC)

"We are excited about the group," Berthiaume – the 2024-25 conference coach of the year – said, noting that their defence is skilled, competes hard and "can move the puck."

They will being doing that for a stable of forwards that includes sophomore Claire Carruthers (Crossfield, AB), who earned a spot on the AUS all-rookie team last season.

"She has always been a big contributor – on both ends of the ice – and a great leader," Berthiaume said of fifth-year veteran Landyn Pitts (Antigonish, NS), who notched the AUS top defensive player award in 2024-25.

He added, of Téa Pearce (Calgary, AB), the conference's most sportsmanlike player one year ago, "We expect big things this season."

And, when it comes to talented junior Ireland McCloskey (Barrie, ON), Berthiaume described her as "going to be a key contributor."

Leading the contingent of first-year X-Women is forward Samantha Morrison (Glace Bay, NS), who played her first couple of university seasons with the NCAA's Maine Black Bears, someone Berthiaume expects to be an "impact player." Toby Graham (Westmount, QC), another addition upfront, will provide plenty of high-level experience from her time skating with CEGEP's John Abbott College.

"She had a really strong camp," Berthiaume noted of Laci Boyd (Antigonish, NS), who joins Aylee Glenn (Antigonish, NS) as a pair of first-year forwards who came up through the Antigonish Minor Hockey Association (AMHA) system.

He added, "We have already seen good things," of forward Jerika Spry (Belleville, ON).

As a collection, Berthiaume anticipates the X-Women forwards will feature "plenty of quickness and speed with the puck."

Blending those talents on offense and defense, he predicted the White and Blue will be able "to really use our speed," which will fuel an offensive attack that should "create a lot of chances."

As the X-Women prepare for another regular season, Berthiaume explained that they are not focusing on repeating as conference championships, but on creating a dynamic where everyone "is pulling together" and "working hard every day."

He added, "The big thing for us is bringing a consistent effort – game in and game out."

Describing how AUS women's hockey continues to get "tighter and tighter" – with the level of competition increasing each season, Berthiaume said, "We expect another tough year – it is going to be very exciting."

The X-Women will play their first home game of the 2025-26 AUS regular season on Friday, Oct. 10.

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at STFX's Keating Centre.

-30-