(MONCTON, NB) The UNB REDS dropped their Atlantic University Sport regular season-opener to the Moncton Aigles Bleues, 4-2 on Friday night in Moncton.
"We started strong today just getting into the flow of it," said REDS' forward Lillian George (Nipissing First Nation). "It was our first AUS game and we came out to compete but unfortunately we didn't bring that consistent effort we needed to come out on the right side."
The REDS were unable to overcome a strong Aigles Bleues attack led by Elizabeth Galipeau (Bedford, QC) who scored a hat-trick in the victory for her team.
Both came out flying, scoring four goals combined in the opening frame.
Katelyn Scott (Almonte, ON) opened the scoring, on the powerplay, for UNB at 7:55 of the first period. The first-year forward put home a rebound off a shot from the point by George, her first goal as a RED.
"It was really exciting to get one in my first game," said Scott. "Our line was doing a great job at getting the puck to the net, I just got there and was lucky to get it in."
Two minutes later, Galipeau got the Aigles Bleues on the board with her first of the night. Her shot from the point found its way past a screened Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC) to tie the game.
Galipeau then put Moncton ahead at 12:48 of the first. She banked the puck off a UNB defender in front to sneak it past Woodland and give the Aigles Bleues the 2-1 lead.
That lead wouldn't last long though as George answered back just minutes later.
George was able to get free in front and deke out Moncton goaltender Annick Boudreau (Memramcook, NB) to tie the game 2-2.
"I did my best to anticipate the play and bring the puck to the net," said George. "From there, I just needed to find a hole."
The Aigles Bleues broke the deadlock at 18:27 of the second period when Valarie Hache (Shippagan, NB) beat her defender and went around Woodland to give Moncton the 3-2 lead.
Galipeau added some insurance for the Aigles Bleues in the third, putting home a loose puck for her third goal of the night and the 4-2 Moncton win.
The REDS are back in action Saturday night when they host the St. Thomas Tommies in their home opener at 7:00pm.
"I'm really excited to play at home," said Scott. "The energy is much different there, and I think we can use that to help us."
Moncton travels to Halifax to face the Saint Mary's Huskies on Thursday.
RECAP AND PHOTOS: Evan Richtsfeld/UNB Athletics