Charlottetown, P.E.I. - The UPEI Panthers (14-7-1) defeated the StFX X-Women (13-8-0) by a close 3-1 score in AUS hockey action Friday evening in a battle for third place in the conference.

The X-Women opened the scoring just 1:16 into the first period on a goal by Sarah Bujold which was her league-leading 20th of the season, from Connor Garagan & Lindsey Donovan. The Panthers evened it up at 15:06 on a Bria Harding power play goal.

The second period remained a standstill until Alisha MacDonald scored with just seconds remaining to put the Panthers up 2-1 heading into second intermission. The goal scored with only three seconds left on the clock in the second period would hold up to be the game winner.

In the third period the X-Women tried to break down the Panthers defense but came away empty handed as Kaylee Dufresne scored the lone goal of the period into an empty net for the 3-1 win.

Goaltender Ariana Orasanin took the loss for the X-Women making 20 saves. The Panthers rested the AUS goalie leader Marie-Soleil Deschenes for Megan Sullivan who put the team on her back with her 35 save performance.

Alisha MacDonald was the Subway player of the game.

The Panthers will host Saint Mary's on Saturday, February 4th at 7:00 pm, while the X-Women next see action on Sunday evening when they travel to Halifax for a 6:00 pm game against Dalhousie.

Courtesy UPEI sports information