REDS Blank X-Women

(ANTIGONISH, NS) In a battle of U SPORTS Top 10 ranked teams, the high paced No. 8 UNB REDS skated away with a 2-0 win over the No. 5 ranked StFX X-Women, Saturday afternoon, in Antigonish.

It was the sort of game you would expect from the second and third place teams in Atlantic University Sport, with UNB applying pressure early on. X skated with them, but the relentless attack and forecheck from the REDS, early on, paid off with a goal at the 13:57 mark of the first period. 

X-Women goalie Jamie Johnson (Victoria, BC) made the initial save off a point shot from UNB's Jana Hendrick (Garden River First Nation) but X couldn't clear the rebound and Alayna Wagstaff (Olds, AB) batted home the goal.

Looking to get back in the game, X put pressure on, but the period ended with UNB still up 1-0.

StFX came out of the dressing room looking to make the most of their chances, but the stingy UNB defence kept them off the score sheet. X's best chance in the period came off a two-on-none, but UNB's Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC) made a dynamite cross-crease save to keep the door closed. 

Johnson was also able to keep UNB from adding to their lead and the period ended with neither team making any progress on the scoreboard. 

The X-Women fought for the tying goal, but Woodland kept up her stellar play and turned aside shot after shot, including a close-in individual effort from X defender Hannah MacDonald (Wetaskiwin, AB). 

UNB managed to add to their lead midway through the third. Ashley Stratton (Mount Pearl, NL) picked up a long stretch pass from teammate Jenna MacLean (Wilcox, SK) before skating into the X zone and tucking in a short side back-hand for the 2-0 lead. 

The X-Women outpaced the Reds 9-5 in shots in the third period, but were unable to light the lamp and the game finished 2-0 in favour of the visitors

Johnson made 23 saves, while Woodland turned aside 33, earning her the first star and Subway Player of the Game.

The X-Women have a quick turnaround to prepare for their next game as they will be on the road Sunday for a 5:00pm game at UPEI. UNB will next see action on Wednesday evening, when they host Mount Allison.

RECAP BY: Matt Draper/for StFX Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Bryan Kennedy/for StFX Athletics