REDS Earn Four AUS Awards
(FREDERICTON, NB) UNB REDS won four of Atlantic University Sport’s six major awards Wednesday.
Jenna MacLean was named the league’s Top Defensive Player, Ashley Stratton was named Most Sportsmanlike Player, Sarah Hilworth was named the league’s Coach of the Year, and Jana Headrick earned the league’s Community Service Award.
“For our program to take home four of six awards shows how much we have improved in three full AUS seasons,” said Hilworth. “We’ve always known how talented we are, and it is amazing to get the praise from our peers in the AUS. These players have worked so hard and it’s exciting to see them rewarded for that hard work.”
A science student in her third year of eligibility, MacLean helped the REDS finish the regular season at the top of the AUS standings with a 15-3-1-2 record. She played in all 21 games for the REDS, recording 16 assists, second most in the conference and third most in the country, and 17 points.
MacLean is the first UNB player to win this award.
Hilworth, in her fifth season with the REDS, guided UNB to the school’s first women’s hockey regular season championship. The team led the league in powerplay percentage and save percentage.
“I’m thankful to have received this award, but I do think it’s a reflection of the grit and grind from our team this year,” said Hilworth. “I do think this is a team award and I share so much gratitude with my staff and players. We have an amazing staff who dedicate so much of their time to help our student-athletes find success here at UNB.”
Hilworth is the first UNB coach to be named AUS women’s hockey coach of the year.
Headrick, playing her fifth season of U SPORTS eligibility, is a defender from the Garden River First Nation who came to UNB following four years at the University of Toronto.
She’s being recognized for her work to create sport and social and opportunities for First Nations youth in the Fredericton area.
Stratton wins her second AUS Most Sportsmanlike Player award.
The fourth-year Kinesiology student, from Mount Pearl, NL, appeared in all 21 regular season games. Her 20 points, 10 goals and 10 assists, are the fifth-most in the AUS, and her 65 career points makes her the all-time leading scorer in UNB women’s hockey history.
“I know, at the end of the day, they’re grateful for these awards, but they also know there is a bigger team award that we’re excited to be on the hunt for,” said Hilworth.
Four UNB REDS were also named to AUS All Star teams.
Goaltender Kendra Woodland and MacLean were named 1st Team All Stars, while Stratton was named a 2ndTeam AUS All Star.
Forward Payton Hargreaves was named to the AUS All Rookie Team.