Antigonish, NS – In a battle of U SPORTS top 10 ranked teams, the high paced No. 8 ranked UNB Reds skated away with a 2-0 win over the No. 5 ranked StFX X Women in an afternoon matchup at the Charles V. Keating Centre Saturday afternoon.
It was the sort of game you would expect from the second and third place teams in the league, with UNB applying pressure early on. The X team skated with them, but the relentless attack and fore check from the Reds early on paid off with a goal at the 13:57 mark of the first period.
X-Women goalie Jamie Johnson (Victoria, BC) made the initial save off a point shot from UNB's Jana Hendrick but X couldn't clear the rebound and Alayna Wagstaf (Olds, AB) batted home the goal.
Looking to get back in the game, STFX put on the pressure but the period ended with UNB still up 1-0. The Reds led in shots 11-8.
StFX came out of the dressing room looking to make the most of their chances but the stingy UNB defence kept them off the score sheet. STFX's best chance in the period came off a two-on-none but UNB's Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC) made a dynamite cross crease save to keep the door closed.
Johson was also able to keep UNB from adding to their lead and the period ended with neither team making any progress on the scoreboard. Shots were 24-20 in favour of the X-Women after 40 minutes.
The X-Women fought for the tying goal but Woodland kept up her stellar play and turned aside shot after shot, including a close-in individual effort from X defender Hannah MacDonald (Wetaskiwin, AB).
UNB managed to add to their lead midway through the third stanza. Ashley Stratton (Mount Pearl, NL) picked up a long stretch pass from teammate Jenna MacLean (Wilcox, SK) before skating into the X zone and tucking in a short side backhand for the 2-0 lead.
The X-Women outpaced the Reds 9-5 in shots in the third period, but were unable to light the lamp and the game finished 2-0 in favour of the visitors
Johnson made 23 saves while Woodland turned aside 33, earning her the first star and Subway player of the game honour. X-Women defense MacDonald picked up the second star while UNB's Sutton was the third star.
The X-Women have a quick turnaround to prepare for their next game as they will be on the road tomorrow for a 5:00 pm game in Charlottetown against UPEI.
UNB will next see action on Wednesday evening, November 17th when they host the Mount Allison Mounties.
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Courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Sports Information