REDS Fall To T-Birds

(ELMIRA, ON) The 2024-2025 season came to an end for the UNB REDS Saturday, in a 5-1 loss to the UBC Thunderbirds in the consolation semi-finals at the U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship, in Elmira, Ontario.

The T-Birds scored twice in the first period and two more in the third period on route to their win.

Melanie Drost scored UNB's only goal of the championship tournament, on the power-play, at the 8:25 mark of the third period.

"We were getting a lot of perimeter shots," said REDS' forward Olivia Eustace, who was 13-of-25 in the face-off circle. "At the end of the day, we need to bring more shots to the net and more bodies to the net. Once we started doing that, we started getting those opportunities, we just needed to get that started quicker."

Early on, the REDS dealt with penalty issues.

Down 1-0, and with less than eight minutes remaining in the opening period, UNB was forced to deal with a short 3-on-5 situation.

A short-time later team captain Payton Hargreaves was assessed a four-minute penalty.

UBC added to their lead during the first two minutes of their advantage.

A third goal just 31 seconds into the second period set the REDS back, but they continued to fight.

UNB's persistence paid off with Drost's goal, but UBC restored their three-goal lead just 47 seconds later and added their fifth goal shortly after that.

"In short-term competitions where you have to execute or you're done, I thought there was some youthfulness in our game that we're still working through," said REDS' head coach Sarah Hilworth. "It's important for us to remember we are a young group and we're going to be back. We just have to make sure we execute and solidify our skills and our details coming back next year."

Cassie McCallum made 37 saves in the losing effort as UNB was outshot 42-19.

"It was extremely emotional," said Eustace, of the atmosphere inside the REDS dressing room after the game. "We have five seniors who are leaving us, and they've all made an impact, so it's sad to see those friends leave, but we dug deep for them today and I think that showed out there. The scoreboard didn't reflect how the game was played, and I think we held our heads high in that moment and I'm proud of all of us."

Eustace was named UNB's player of the game.

"We've seen, okay, this is where we are, this is how we compare to the rest of the country, and we've got to find a way to get better so that we're back here and we're getting over that hump," said Hilworth.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Waterloo Warriors Athletics/for U SPORTS