St.FX skates to womens' ice title

February 24, 2008

X-Women net AUS banner

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Feb 24, 2008 - The StFX X-Women are the 2007/08 Atlantic University Sport women's hockey champions after a decisive 7-3 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies in the championship game played Sunday afternoon in Halifax at Saint Mary's Alumni Arena. The X-Women earned their seventh AUS banner and extended their unbeaten streak to 23-0 in AUS competition this season. Jumping out to a 3-0 lead after the first period and extending that lead to 6-2 after two periods, the CIS ranked fourth place X-Women never looked back on route to the championship win. AUS all-star Jessica Shanahan scored two goals for StFX, while single markers came off the sticks of Kelly Boudreau, Suzanne Fenerty, Brayden Ferguson, Amanda Church and Catie Gavin. Ferguson also added three assists while Sheila Kelly contributed four assists in the win. Replying for the Huskies was Kori Cheverie, Rebecca Mullowney and Kyla Thurston. The X-Women outshot the Huskies by a 32-28 margin with Katie Harvieux earning the win between the pipes for StFX. X-Women forward and captain Brayden Ferguson was named the tournament MVP in addition to being a tournament all-star. The AUS and CIS leading scorer added the honor to her recent AUS Player of the Year and AUS first team all-star distinction this past week. StFX defense Sheila Kelly was also named to the tournament all-star team.

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StFX earned the berth in the final game after a 5-0 semifinal win Saturday afternoon over the Dalhousie Tigers. Ferguson scored two goals in that game along with Gavin, Lindsay Brown and Carolyn Campbell.

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The X-Women have qualified for the CIS national championship taking place March 7-10 in Ottawa. In their last championship appearance in 2006 hosted at home at StFX, the X-Women had their best ever finish at the national event, losing in a shootout in the bronze medal game to the McGill Martlets.