Coach's Corner - Men's Soccer - Week #3 Update

SEPTEMBER 26:  UNB AT CBU

    The Varsity Reds made the long trek to the East Coast of Nova Scotia for their toughest road trip of the season.  First up were the Cape Breton Capers and they proved to be to be a formable foe.  The Capers team was loaded with talented players and played at a pace the Reds had not seen this season.  Despite this, UNB looked good over the opening fifteen minutes and created a couple of quality chances on goal.  The best coming off of an Ashley Crook diagonal ball that found Jason Bessey’s head on the corner of the six yard box.  The Caper keeper reacted quickly though and made the save.  Soon after, the Capers took full advantage of UNB errand back pass as their speedy striker collected the ball to beat a helpless Lally in the UNB goal.  Twelve minutes later and another defensive miscue led to Cape Breton converting on the resulting penalty kick.  UNB made some adjustments for the second half and looked much better.  They would not see any reward for their efforts though until the final couple of minutes, when rookie winger, Will Allen, cut behind the Capers’ backline and finished nicely.

FINAL SCORE:                                     UNB – 1, CBU – 2

UNB PLAYER OF THE GAME:              BRAD COWPERTHWAITE

UNB IRVING HARD HAT WINNERS:      KEN MORRISON & BEN LAW

SEPTEMBER 27: UNB AT STFX

The V-Reds were a determined bunch on Sunday, following their first loss of the regular season the day before.  The STFX squad is a talented group and UNB knew what they were capable of as the X-Men won the pre-season match 3-0.  The Reds played inspired soccer from the opening whistle on this day.  UNB was able to contain the potential explosive STFX offence and created a number of close scoring opportunities off of well executed counter attacks.  Ashley Crook played quality crosses into the penalty area that Galen Smith and Jason Bessey were able to get on the end of but could not finish.  Just before the half, UNB was rewarded when Amir Razak collected a ball wide and crossed the ball into Ben law who converted after bravely winning the challenge with the STFX keeper. 

The X-Men came out for the second half determined to get the equalizer.  They were relentless in their attack but the Reds kept their shape and discipline and bent but never broke in their defending.  It was a lack of discipline that made the task even more difficult, when UNB’s Galen Smith was sent off with twenty minutes remaining.  This gave the X-Men the advantage and they looked to capitalize.  The Reds back four (Ashley Crook, Ben Law, Rod Ramsden, and Keagan Marcus) were resilient though and the UNB midfield (Ken Morrison, Pablo Urbina, and Jason Bessey) were relentless in their pursuit of the ball.  Matt Lally was called on to make two brave saves in close and one finger tip push over the bar in the final minutes.

FINAL SCORE:                                                 UNB – 1, STFX – 0

UNB PLAYER OF THE GAME:              KEN MORRISON

UNB IRVING HARD HAT WINNERS:      MATT LALLY, ROD RAMSDEN, ASHLEY CROOK, BEN LAW, KEAGAN MARCUS, KEN MORRISON, PABLO URBINA, JASON BESSEY, WILL ALLEN, AMIR RAZAK, SHEA NORDHEIM, & BRAD COWPERTHWAITE

UPCOMING

OCTOBER 3: UNB HOSTS MTA

OCTOBER 4: UNB AT UPEI