X-Women Rally Past Panthers to Even AUS Semifinal Series

(ANTIGONISH, N.S.) - The STFX X-Women tied up their Atlantic University Sport semi-final series with an exciting come from behind 4-2 victory over the UPEI Panthers on Friday night at the Charles V Keating Centre.  

A pair of late goals highlighted a tense opening period, with both teams cheered on by over 1,000 fans.  

UPEI's Renee Champman, who scored twice in Game 1, nabbed her third goal of the series with four minutes left in the first period, firing one stick side on a breakaway.   

Tea Pearce replied for STFX two minutes later, popping home a pass from Lainey Joyce on the powerplay.  

The Panthers reclaimed the lead early in the second period, with Sarah Fraser roofing a rebound from in close. The X-Women fought to tie things back up for the rest of the period, but the UPEI penalty kill kept them at bay during a two-player advantage late in the stanza.  

Boston Pizza Player of the Game Mackenzie Lothian rang one off the post early in the third as the X-Women kept generating chances. Ireland McCloskey tied things up with six minutes left, tipping in a point shot from Lothian while the teams played 4-on-4. 

Terryn Moses put the Blue and White up for the first time in the game 30 seconds later, wiring a wrister from the high slot, inspiring the crowd to an extended Go X Go chant.  

The Panthers pulled goaltender Erin Cabaday in the final minutes, but AUS rookie of the year Toby Graham capped off the scoring with an empty netter.  

Cabaday finished the night with 28 saves, while STFX's Brooklyn Oakes made 12 stops in the win.  

Game 3 of the best of five series is set for Sunday, March 1, in Charlottetown. 

Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics