REDS defeat Huskies 3-1 despite highlight goal from O'Neill

FREDERICTON, NB - The UNB REDS scored three unanswered goals in the second period to beat the Saint Mary's Huskies 3-1 in Atlantic University Sport women's hockey action, Friday night, at UNB's Aitken Centre.

"We had a good week of practice and tonight was a consistent three periods," said REDS' forward Alayna Wagstaff (Olds, AB), who scored UNB's winning goal and was named Subway Player of the Game. "We just came together as team and got it done."

The teams traded opportunities and power-plays in the opening period but fought a largely defensive battle.

With time winding down, Aimee O'Neill (Glace Bay, NS) broke through the slot and fired a shot high over the blocker of REDS' goalie Cassie McCallum (Rothesay, NB) to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

"I saw a lane and took it," O'Neill said.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ?

What a goal by Aimee O'Neill! The reigning Huskies Female Athlete of the Week does it all by herself, going coast-to-coast to give @SMUHuskiesWH a 1-0 lead! @AUS_SUA

?A. O'Neill (7) pic.twitter.com/0TZzkuvw2m

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 20, 2023

"We weren't really thinking about the score," said Wagstaff. "We knew we had a good first period, regardless of the score, so we just stuck to our game plan."

The REDS dominated the second period.

Less than five minutes in, working from the corner, Frederike Cyr (Candiac, QC) fed Lily George (Nipissing First Nation) in front of the Huskies net. She beat SMU's Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB) from close range.

Just before the midway point, Wagstaff moved into the faceoff circle to the left of Hansen and snapped a shot to the back of the net.

About four minutes later, Myah Bowal (Terrace, BC) found a rebound in front and pushed it past Hansen as UNB took a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes.

There was no scoring in a chippy third period.

The Huskies did pull Hansen in favour an extra attacker in the final minute, but to no avail.

With the win, the REDS solidify their hold on first place in the AUS standings. UNB is now 18-1-1-1 (W-L-SOL-OTL).

The Huskies, who outshot UNB 27-24, are 12-8-1-0.

"We've got to figure out how to face adversity," she O'Neill. "I think we had a pretty good third period, but it's too late to start then. They were winning battles and outworking us. They're a great team. If you let that happen, they're going to capitalize on that."

The Huskies continue their weekend road trip at Mount Allison on Saturday. Game time, against the Mounties, is 7:00 pm. 

The REDS go on the road Saturday, to Moncton. That game is schedule for a 7:00 pm start as well.

RECAP: Andy Campbell / UNB Athletics
PHOTOS: James West / UNB Athletics