X-Women top REDS in battle of top two teams
U SPORTS No. 3 ranked X-Women come out with huge win in battle of top teams in AUS, defeating U SPORTS No. 6 ranked REDS 2-1
ANTIGONISH, NS - The U SPORTS No. 3 ranked STFX X-Women came out with a huge win in a battle of the top teams in the AUS, defeating the U SPORTS No. 6 ranked UNB REDS 2-1 on Friday night at the Charles V Keating Centre.
The X-Women, with a record of 19-5, are now in sole possession of first place in the conference, with only three games remaining in the regular season. Gabriel Pizza Player of the Game was STFX forward Toby Graham while the second star went to Terryn Mozes on defense.
Laci Boyd got the X-Women on the board first, snagging the puck at her own blueline and streaking in before wiring a wrist shot off the post and in the net. Ireland McCloskey, who returned after being out of the lineup for a spell, had the assist.
The X-Women peppered UNB goalie Cassie McCallum with plenty of shots in the opening 20 minutes, while allowing only two in the period.
Both squads enjoyed powerplays early in the second period, but both McCallum and STFX goalie Brooklyn Oakes were up to the task. STFX made it 2-0 with five minutes left in the period, as third star Claire Carruthers notched her 13th goal of the season, knocking in a centering pass from Samantha Morrison and Alexis Perry.
Oakes came up with the stop on a Katelyn Scott breakaway early in the third period, as the REDS looked to get back into the game. UNB pulled McCallum late in the game and got on the board with two minutes left, as Payton Hargreaves found the back of the net through a crowd. The REDS pushed for the equalizer, but the STFX defense shut the door.
It's a quick return to the ice for the X-Women, who host St. Thomas on Saturday, February 7, at 3 p.m. UNB also returns to the ice tomorrow afternoon, with a game against the Mount Allison Mounties.
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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics
