Sackville, NB – The STFX X-Women improved to 15-3-2-0 on the season and clinched an AUS playoff berth Saturday night with a 3-1 victory over the Mount Allison Mounties (2-15-2-1).

The X-Women scored one goal in each period in the victory.

STFX defence Mackenzie Lothian opened the scoring in the game with a power play at 4:49 of the first period. She took a cross-ice pass from Terryn Mozes and ripped a shot from the high slot that went in off the shoulder of Mounties goaltender Skye MacDonald.

The one goal lead held through 20 minutes of play as the X-Women outshot the Mounties 12-7 in the opening frame.

Freshman X forward Kalle Hastman made it 2-0 for the visitors with an unassisted marker at 6:10 of the second period. She won a faceoff in the neutral zone and skated into Mounties territory and got off a shot from the side of the net which MacDonald saved. The rebound sent the puck high and X were fortunate to get a lucky bounce as the puck found its way in behind MacDonald.

The goal stood up as the lone one of the middle period as STFX had a 2-0 lead and 24-16 shot advantage after 40 minutes.

Mount Allison cracked the goose egg at 12:24 of the third period when Tallon Stephenson behind the X net found an open Oceane Asham in the slot and she ripped a shot past Brooklyn Oakes in the X-Women net.

The home team pushed for the equalizer and pulled MacDonald from the net with just over two minutes to play. STFX sealed the win with player of the game Lothian scoring her second goal of the game in the empty net with only five seconds left in the game.

Final shots were 33-23 in favor of the X-Women as Oakes had 22 saves in goal for the win.

The Mounties are back in action on Wednesday night when they host Saint Mary's in a 7:00 pm game. The X-Women will travel to Charlottetown on Friday to take on UPEI.

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Recap courtesy Krista McKenna, STFX Athletics