(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds fell 4-2 in a hard-fought battle to the U SPORTS No. 10 St FX X-Women on Saturday evening.

"It was not the outcome we wanted, but we had a heck of a third period," said UNB head coach Sarah Hilworth. 

The X-Women opened the scoring in the first period with a power-play goal by Lydia Schurman (Summerside, PE). The Reds defended hard on the four-minute power-play, but could not put a stop to the wrist shot that went in high over goaltender Kendra Woodland's (Kamloops, BC) left shoulder. 

"We just can't give teams like that an opportunity to capitalize on us," said Hilworth. 

The early minutes of the second period looked promising for the Reds who were fighting hard to even the score, but a breakaway by Lea MacLeod (Dartmouth, NS) ended with a short-handed goal for the X-Women, doubling their lead.

Four-minutes later, MacLeod was able to break past the Reds defence and score a second short-handed goal. MacLeod was named Subway Player of the Game.

"Why not come back in this game," Hilworth asked her team after the second period. This seemed to light a fire under the Reds. 

In the third, Tamina Kehler (Chilliwack, BC) was able to put the puck past X-Women goaltender Jamie Johnson (Victoria, BC) at 4:05.

A second goal was scored by Ashley Stratton (Mount Pearl, NL), making the score 3-2.

The second goal sparked the Reds, and prompted a St FX timeout.

Jayden Thompson (Aurora, ON) scored a power-play for the X-Women late in the third period, and the visitors escaped with a 4-2 win.

With the win, the X-Women take over top spot in the Atlantic University Sport standings. They see their next action on Wednesday, when they visit Dalhousie.

The Reds are now 16-and-9, and host the Tigers on Sunday. Game time is 3:00pm.

RECAP BY: Lauren Kelly/for UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics