X-Women win latest battle of top ranked AUS squads with shutout over Reds

(FREDERICTON, NB) In a showdown between the top two teams in the Atlantic University Sport standings, the STFX X-Women emerged victorious on Saturday night, in a 2-0 shutout win over the UNB REDS at UNB's Aitken Centre.

Ireland McClosky (Barrie, ON) and Ashlyn Garnett (Dartmouth, NS) scored for the X-Women, while Amaya Giraudier (Assiniboia, SK) stopped all 21 shots she faced for her third shutout of the season.

McClosky opened the scoring for the X-Women at 3:56 of the first period. Capitalizing on a UNB turnover, Maggy Burbidge (Falmouth, NS) broke free on a breakaway. Although Burbidge was initially stopped by Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC), a trailing McCloskey followed up and put home the rebound, giving STFX the early 1-0 advantage.

The X-Women had a chance to extend their lead at 10:10 of the first period during a 2-on-1 fast break for Burgidge and Tea Pearce (Calgary, AB). Burbidge unleashed a shot on net that managed to elude Woodland but struck the post, keeping the score at 1-0.

Jorja Nystrom (Leduc, AB) had an opportunity to level the score at 4:19 of the second period for the REDS. A perfectly placed centering feed from Sydney Oitomen (Mississauga, ON) left her with a wide-open net, but Nystrom just narrowly missed.

Garnett extended STFX's lead to 2-0 at 7:06 of the second period. On a break, Joanna Martinsen (Thunder Bay, ON) dropped the puck back for Garnett who lifted it over the blocker of Woodland, to take a two-goal advantage for the X-Women.

The REDS did their best to apply the pressure in the third period, but Giraudier was tremendous down the stretch for the X-Women to preserve the shutout.

With the loss, UNB drops to 16-5-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL) in second place, four points back of STFX (17-3-2-0).

The REDS return to action Sunday on home ice, facing the Dalhousie Tigers at 3:00 pm. STFX will host the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues on Friday at 7:00 pm.

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RECAP BY: Evan Richtsfeld/ UNB Athletics