(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS defeated the Mount Allison Mounties 3-0 on Wednesday evening at UNB's Aitken Centre.
It was a historic night for Lillian George (Nipissing First Nation), who recorded a goal and an assist, tying Ashley Stratton as the UNB women's hockey all-time points leader with 80 points.
"I'm really proud and honored," said George. "I think that's a great achievement for myself and I obviously couldn't have done it without the help of my teammates throughout my five years here and I'm excited to keep that going."
The REDS wasted no time opening the scoring, as Payton Hargreaves (Whitby, ON) deflected a point shot from George into the net on the powerplay at 1:36 of the first period.
"Getting on the powerplay early in the game is nice and gives us some great momentum to start," said Hargreaves. "Lilly was up at the top and she just placed it perfectly on my stick and I was able to get and easy tip on it."
Hargraves was named Tim Horton's Player of the Game.
The REDS had an opportunity to extend their lead at 12:22 of the first when Hargreaves and George initiated a two-on-one. However, their attempt was turned away by Hanna Pagdato, who slid across the goal to make a remarkable save on George, keeping UNB's lead at just one.
Pagdato made 10 of her 31 saves in the first period.
In the second period, the REDS added to their lead with two quick goals. First, at 6:58, Hailey Jackson (Delburne, AB) found Rylee Strohm (Kingsville, ON) wide open in front, and Strohm capitalized, putting the puck over Pagdato's blocker to make it 2-0.
Just two minutes later, George made it 3-0, thanks to the relentless forechecking of Hargreaves. Hargreaves disrupted a Mounties clearing attempt, setting up George for a breakaway, and she outmaneuvered Pagdato to give the REDS a commanding lead.
"It was a great play by Payton to keep the puck in their end," said George. "We wanted to focus on getting pucks to the net and I was able to do that, find an opening and put it in the net."
Cassie McCallum (Rothesay, NB) recorded a shutout victory, making 21 saves.
The REDS are back in action this Saturday as they host the UPEI Panthers at 7:00 pm.
Meanwhile, the Mounties will travel to Charlottetown to take on the same Panthers on Friday at 7:00 pm.
RECAP BY: Evan Richtsfeld/ UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics