Antigonish, NS – The StFX X-Women defeated the UPEI Panthers 5-1 in pre-season exhibition play Sunday afternoon at the Keating Centre.
The X-Women opened up a 2-0 lead after the first period on the strength of goals from Sarah Bujold and Kristen McKinley. The fifth year veteran Bujold scored on the power play midway through the opening period from Emerson Elliott and Santana Gravelle, while McKinley knocked one in from Tyra Meropoulis with 1:12 left. The X-Women outshot the Panthers 16-5 in the opening period.
With a 10-2 shot advantage in the second period, StFX increased their lead to 3-0 with a goal from Kate Gotaas at 14:48. Bujold and Elliott had helpers on the play.
The home squad went up 5-0 with third period markers from Meropoulis and Lacey Dimaulo. Meropoulis connected with Lea MacLeod and McKinley midway through the period and Dimaulo scored a minute later from Amy Graham and Becky Higgs.
The X-Women almost held on the for the shutout but Panthers Jenna Pellerin played spoiler as she netted a power play goal at 16:55 from Emma Weatherbie.
Cassidy McEwen saw limited action in the StFX net as the Panthers managed 11 shots in the game to the X-Women's 39. Camille Scherge had 34 saves in the losing effort for UPEI.
With the win the X-Women improve to 3-1 in exhibition action and will next see action when the AUS regular season commences on October 12th. They will host Dalhousie in a 7:00 pm game at the StFX Keating Centre.
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