REDS top Aigles Bleues 2-1 in Game 1 of AUS semifinals

(FREDERICTON, N.B.) Lauren Carter (Milton, ON) scored with just 61 seconds to play to lift the UNB REDS to a 2-1 win over the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues in the opening game of their AUS semi-final series, Saturday night at UNB's Aitken Centre. 

Carter drove to the net as a falling Melanie Drost (Nepean, ON) got a shot off and deflected it past Annick Boudreau (Memramcook, NB) in the Moncton net. 

The goal decided what had been, for the most part, a goaltender's duel and gave the REDS a one-game-to-none lead in the best-of-five series. 

The teams played through a scoreless first period, one which saw the REDS battle penalty problems, including a stretch of almost one minute in which Moncton enjoyed a 5-on-3 skater advantage. 

In the second period, Moncton finally broke through when Maritza Labrie (Saint-Quentin, NB) tipped Elizabeth Galipeau's (Bedford, QC) point shot past Cassie McCallum (Rothesay, NB) in the UNB net at the 13:29 mark. 

The Moncton lead was short-lived as REDS' captain Payton Hargreaves (Whitby, ON) evened the score just 56 seconds later, pouncing on a rebound and beating Boudreau. 

In the third, Moncton peppered McCallum with shots, but she held her ground, setting the stage for Carter's timely winner. 

Les Aigles Bleues outshot the REDS 33-20. 

The REDS host game two on Sunday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. 

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics