(FREDERICTON, NB) Ashley Stratton (Mount Pearl, NL) had two goals and an assist to lead the Reds to a 4-1 victory over the Dalhousie Tigers on Saturday night.
Stratton's linemates, Frederike Cyr (Candiac, QC) and Sage McElroy-Scott (Morden, MB), carried the offense for the Reds, scoring a combined five points.
"Their vision, in their mind, is absolute domination of this league," said Reds head coach Sarah Hilworth.
Just past the mid-way point of the first period, Lauren Ellerton (Toronto, ON) roofed a shot past Reds goalie Hilary Cashin (Fredericton, NB) to give Dal an early 1-0 lead.
The Reds responded, on the power-play, just over three minutes later with a goal, Stratton's first, to tie the game 1-1.
UNB would build momentum as the first ended, outshooting Dalhousie 12-7.
Both teams traded power-play chances in the second, including 5-on-3s for both sides, but both Cashin and Tigers goalie Fabiana Petricca (Woodbridge, ON) would weather the storm.
Stratton would break the deadlock with under four minutes left in the second, putting a perfect pass from Jenna MacLean (Wilcox, SK) top corner for the 2-1 lead.
Stratton added an assist to her effort 25 seconds into the third, floating a cross-crease pass to Cyr for her first of the season, making it 3-1 Reds.
"We get a lot of opportunities, we are constantly moving our feet, and eventually pucks had to go in the net and tonight was a very good night for our line," said Stratton.
MacLean would put a point shot home with six minutes left to secure the victory.
The Reds outshot the Tigers 38-17.
Stratton's three-point effort earned her the Subway Player of the Game.
The Reds power-play was the difference, going 3-for-12 while the Tigers were 0-for-3.
"We like to be physical, but today's penalties weren't physical," said Tigers coach Sean Fraser. "We weren't moving our feet at times and we were reaching with our sticks and you're going to get called when you do that stuff."
Cashin made 16 saves to earn the win on her birthday, and in her first game as a Red.
"It's definitely a special feeling getting to play in the rink that I started playing in, definitely feels good to get the win too," said Cashin.
"I didn't think we could get better in net, but we did," said Hilworth.
Petricca made 34 saves in the Tigers net.
With the win, UNB improves their record to 3-1. Dalhousie is now 0-4.
The Tigers return home and will host Mount Allison on Wednesday.
The Reds travel to Halifax next Saturday to take on the Saint Mary's Huskies. Game time is 7:00pm.
RECAP BY: Jonathon James/for UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics