Hargreave Takes Over REDS All-Time Points Lead
(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE) Payton Hargreaves became the all-time leading scorer in UNB REDS women's hockey history with an assist in Wednesday's come-from-behind 2-1 win over the UPEI Panthers, in Charlottetown.
With the record-setting point, the 102nd of her career, Hargreaves also became the program's all-time assists leader, with 55. She passed Lily George in both categories. George put up 101 points, 54 of them assists, during her career from 2018 to 2024.
"I'm incredibly proud to be part of the UNB REDS women's hockey history books," said Hargreaves. "I couldn't have done it without the women I play alongside, past and present. It's been a long career, filled with small plays and big plays, and I get to cherish each of them knowing it got me to where I am today."
Hargreaves' milestone point came late in the second period, with UNB trailing 1-0.
She carried the puck over the blue line and moved to her left before dropping a pass for Hillary Wood who fired a wrist shot over the glove of Panthers' goalie Sarah Forsythe at the 16:24 mark.
"Hailey Jackson made a nice spot pass and then entering the zone I heard Hillary hollering so I dropped it for her and tried to drive the net to give her some space," said Hargreaves. "Hillary made a beautiful shot, top glove, to tie the game."
"Payton has been such a consistent driver for us since the day she arrived on campus," said REDS' head coach Sarah Hilworth. "She's competitive, she works relentlessly, and she shows up in big moments. For her to now sit at the top of that list says a lot about her impact on our program and the standard she's helped set here."
Woods' goal seemed to spark the REDS, who continued to press the Panthers in the third.
At 9:58 of the third, Raine Murdoch scored to give UNB the lead.
"I loved our push," said Coach Hilworth. "We weren't perfect early, but the group stayed composed and kept building. We had a bunch of really good penalty kills against a very good powerplay team, and that helped create the momentum we needed."
Orianna MacNeil scored the Panthers' lone goal late in the opening period.
With the win, the REDS are now 16-4-0-1 (W-L-OTL-SOL) and lead the AUS standings. UPEI is 10-9-2-0 and are tied for fourth place with Moncton.
Both teams return to action on Saturday.
The Panthers will be home to St. Thomas in a 3:00pm start while the REDS go to Moncton where the opening faceoff is scheduled for 7:00pm.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB REDS
PHOTOS BY: Janessa Vanden Broek/for UPEI Athletics