It's like a breath of fresh air when Crystal Stewart picks up the phone in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

The 18-year-old Yukoner spent the past season playing goal for the St. Francis Xavier X-Women, and recently returned from Montreal where her squad was competing in the national university (CIS) championships StFX won the Atlantic league championship after beating St. Mary's in the final.

'It's been such a great experience,' said Stewart, her complete happiness evident even from across the country. 'I couldn't even really put it into words. This is one of the greatest teams I've ever played for and a great group of people.

'I just can't imagine being anywhere else or playing for any other team.'

Even academically, Stewart is finding success at StFX. She said the transition to university life was difficult at first, but the professors are very supportive and her teammates really made it easier.

She's also had to adjust to a different style of play, as she played goal for the Whitehorse Midget rep team last season, and taking shots from guys as opposed to women is quite different.

Stewart got a bit of exposure to the women's hockey style at a camp in Calgary last year, which she said helped a little.

'It is different, but I've adjusted well. I would like to say that women are smarter with the puck ... my goalie coach says guys do take a lot more perimeter shots and the women will look more for the open player.

'I'm just focusing on stopping the puck, so I don't really think about it.'

At the start of the hockey season, Stewart was alternating duties with fourth-year goaltender Chelsea Mackenzie, but just before Christmas break the two ladies had a meeting with the coaching staff and were informed one of them would be given the starting position for the remainder of the year.

'They told me I had made a good case for myself but we had to wait until after the holidays to find out who would be number one.'

And the wait was worth it for Stewart, who was told to take the ball and roll with it by head coach Dave Synishin.

'I was quite thrilled. It was the coach's call. I was a little surprised at first, but I knew I had worked hard all season.

'I wasn't sure what to expect when I first came here. I got a chance to play a lot more that I thought I would. I knew coming in that the other goalie was fourth year.'

Synishin said he's been most impressed with Stewart's work ethic and focus.

'When you look at her and you see her focus on getting ready for games... she has that level of focus that probably just 10 per cent of athletes have,' said the coach. 'She took the starting job from a fourth-year goalie. For a first year player, that speaks volumes about her abilities.'

Stewart admitted there were moments when it was hard for her and Mackenzie because the senior had lost her job to a rookie. But for the most part, she said, they were very supportive of one another.

It was the Yukoner's turn to be supportive when it came time for the Atlantic league final against St. Mary's.

Synishin took a look at Stewart's previous games against their rival, as well as her lack of experience in big games, and opted to go with Mackenzie in goal. He said it was a difficult decision, but one he thought was best for the team.

The X-Women finished fifth at the championships, which featured six university teams Alberta, Wilfred Laurier, Manitoba, McGill, Concordia and StFX but picked up the first ever win for the Atlantic conference in 24 tries in the process.

Synishin said it felt great to make history, although the team could have done better.

'I personally was a little disappointed in the McGill game. I think it's a team we could have beat.

'We had one flat period and that was the first period against McGill. But we played probably eight good periods out of nine.'

Stewart said while she was disappointed she didn't get to play, the experience at nationals was still one she will never forget.

'It was an experience of a lifetime. It was unbelievable. It was the highest level of hockey I've ever been around. I mean, the University of Alberta hadn't lost in 110 games (before they lost to Laurier in the final), so you can imagine what the level of play is like.

'That's where I want to be next year when it comes here (to StFX) and we get to host it.'

Stewart needn't worry about whether or not she's get to play at next year's nationals. StFX is guaranteed a bye since they're hosting, and the Yukon goalie will be number one from the start of the season on, which is what she was being groomed for this past year.

'She's as much or more of a great starting goalie,' said Synishin. 'We look forward to her being number one next season. We're hosting the nationals as well, so that will give her the opportunity for more exposure.'

'I just love to play, so if I get that opportunity, I'm going to take it and work as hard as I can,' stated Stewart.

The X-Women are done for the season as far as competition goes, but will be training until the end of the school year on-ice, which is about a month and a half.

After that, they will be given a routine to work on through the summer. Stewart will be returning to Whitehorse in May.

As for next season, Synishin said he and the coaching staff learned some lessons at nationals which they hope to correct.

And even though they have a bye to nationals next year, the head coach is more concerned with their seeding going into the championships. Because they were ranked fourth, they had to play their first game against Alberta, the strongest team in the tournament.

Seventeen of the X-Women were playing in their first nationals, so next year should only get better.

'The chemistry was great throughout the season on the team,' said Stewart. 'We had things to work on, but we did it. It just shows that we can come together, even through the tough times.'