UNB in search of another title, STFX leads coaches poll as season kicks off tonight

SMU and Moncton kickoff season tonight

HALIFAX, NS (DATE) – The UNB REDS women’s hockey team added some new faces to their team this year, some of them more familiar than others.

The three-time defending champs will welcome back head coach Sarah Hilworth following a year-long parental leave. The time spent watching her REDS on AUStv, she says, allowed her to gain a new viewpoint on her approach to coaching.

“Taking time away gave me a unique opportunity to watch the team from a different perspective. It allowed me to appreciate the game and the team’s dynamics, seeing how players respond to different situations and how they support each other on and off the ice,” Hilworth explained. “This experience reinforced the importance of fostering strong team culture and relationships. It also gave me a renewed appreciation for the small details that make a big impact. Stepping back reminded me to focus on the growth process, ensuring we maintain a positive and relentless mindset no matter the challenges we face.”

In her absence, associate coach Kyle MacDonald called the shots and led UNB to a 21-6-0-1 record – good for second place in the AUS regular season standings. Come playoff time, MacDonald’s team dispatched of the Saint Mary’s Huskies in their semifinal matchup before beating the top-seeded STFX X-Women in the championship final.

Hilworth hopes to build off the success MacDonald found last season, but knows earning a fourth consecutive AUS title will not be easy. In the pre-season coaches poll, STFX received five of the eight first-place votes, UNB earned two and Moncton took one.

“Being a three-time champion speaks to the hard work, dedication, and excellence that has become an important part of our program. The pressure to perform is always there, but it’s something we embrace and is a privilege,” Hilworth stated. “We focus on the process and what we can control each day—our effort, our preparation, and our commitment to each other. The championship legacy is something we’re proud of, but it’s not something that defines us. We look forward to the challenge of living up to those standards this year and we know that this league is just getting better and better.”

On the ice, the REDS will see offensive weapons Payton Hargreaves, Katelyn Scott and Mackenzie Keenan return. Gone, however, is Lily George, who led the league in scoring last year.

Helping to fill the skates left behind by George is transfer Olivia Eustace, who scored 15 goals last season with the Dalhousie Tigers.

The regular season begins tonight with Moncton hosting Saint Mary’s in a 7 p.m. ADT puck drop.

Hilworth’s REDS will get their start a couple of days later when they make the trip to Halifax to take on the host Dalhousie Tigers in a 7 p.m. start.

I’m incredibly excited to be back. There’s nothing quite like the energy of being with the team on the ice and in the dressing room,” Hilworth said. “I’ve missed the student-athletes, the competition, and being able to teach. This season is particularly special as we continue to build on the foundation that was laid last year and set new standards.

Other games Friday night will see STFX travel to Mount Allison and UPEI head to St. Thomas. All games are available to watch on AUStv.ca.