(FREDERICTON, NB) Newly-minted REDS captain Payton Hargreaves (Whitby, ON) scored twice to complete an incredible three goal UNB comeback in Atlantic University Sport women's hockey action, on Saturday night, at UNB's Aitken Centre.
The REDS beat the St. Thomas Tommies 4-3 after trailing 3-1 in the second period.
Mackenzie Keenan (Midhurst, ON), Katelyn Scott (Almonte, ON) and Hargreaves all scored in the win, which came after Friday's 4-2 loss in Moncton in their season-opener.
"We've got a team slogan of 'we don't stop til the last whistle' and we live by it each game," said Hargreaves, named the Tim Horton's Player of the Game. "We used each other to build our own energy on the bench and on the ice to keep the pressure on them. We had a lot of momentum, and it was just a matter of time until we buried one."
Keenan kicked off the scoring for the REDS with help from Lily George (Nipissing First Nation) and Hargreaves. Keenan showcased her precision by navigating the puck through a cluster of defending players in front of Tommies' goalie Katie Sweeney (Tecumseh, ON) and firing a shot into the top corner of the net.
The Tommies responded by scoring three consecutive goals and seizing the lead.
Trinity Webber (Brampton, ON) netted a goal during a powerplay to tie the game.
"My teammate Nadia set me up behind the net, as she typically does," said Webber. "She sees the ice very well."
In the second period, Amy Dvernichuk (Regina, SK) scored STU's second at 2:40, picking up a rebound following a shot from the blue line.
The visiting Tommies maintained control, adding a third goal off the stick of Nadia Lavoie (St. Isidore, AB) locking down the 3-1 lead.
UNB responded with resilience.
Scott netted her second goal in as many games at the 15:29 mark of the second, giving the REDS some momentum.
Cue Hargreaves' heroics.
Down by a goal to start the third period, Hargreaves sent a rocket of a shot from the face-off circle to tie the game at the 13:09 mark.
"We've been sticking to the little things," added Hargreaves. "Taking the body, blocking shots, and winning our battles, and that's what has made us successful."
The captain found the net once more, on the powerplay, with just over three minutes to play to give UNB a 4-3 triumph.
"There were a few shifts that we took off in the third, which obviously they capitalized on," said Webber when asked about her team's efforts. "I'm proud of our performance. There's a lot of potential in our team. We almost came out with a win against a number one ranked team."
The REDS travel to Prince Edward Island to face the UPEI Panthers on Friday. Puck drop is at 7:00pm.
The Tommies travel to Halifax to face Saint Mary's next Saturday. That game is scheduled for 3:00pm.
RECAP BY: Madison Tucker/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Fran Harris/for UNB Athletics