Men’s soccer drop to 1-2

After opening the season with a win, the men’s soccer team has dropped their second straight game against StFX 1-0.

A goal late in the 73rd minute by StFX midfielder Jamar Dixon was the difference. Although there was only one goal against UNB, the result could have been worse as the X-Men controlled the ball the majority of the game.

As the game progressed so did the frustration. The Reds could not pull together any chances against an unbreakable StFX defense. Head Coach Miles Pinsent knows it’s hard to not become frustrated when you cannot convert.

“If you’re spending the whole time chasing the ball then it becomes pretty tiresome both physically and mentally,” he said. “The frustration was partly because StFX was doing a good job keeping the ball and partly because our boys could not get in and make a push offensively.”

The Reds did not give the X-Men much of a scare at all throughout the game. Coach Pinsent believes some credit is due to the now 3-0 StFX team.

“We didn’t create too many chances either did we,” said Pinsent. “I think some of the credit has to go to our opponents. Our last two games have been against SMU and StFX and those are two of the best teams in the league for a good reason. They both defend very well so you have to give them credit. At the same time we’re really not satisfied with our offensive output.”

This season’s team is young, but the coaching staff does not believe that is an excuse as to the results. If anything they believe these losses are showing the new players what it takes to win in this conference.

“I think with us playing StFX and SMU in back to back games, the team is starting to get a feel for what it takes to be successful in the league,” said Pinsent. “I didn’t think we were going to be perfect right out of the gate.”

He knows the team has a few minor things to work on in order to get back on the scoreboard. If they intend on maintaining their playoff push, they will need to figure out the spark needed to get the offense back.

“We’ve been in every game and we’re competing hard in every game,” said Pinsent. “We plan on progressing through the season with all the new players we do have so if we can learn lessons from playing these teams, then hopefully it will help us in October and November.”

V-Reds’ back Ben Law made his return to the lineup as well as Pablo Urbina after being sidelined in the opening weekend due to injuries. They did not see as much time as usual, but Coach Pinsent said that is just precautionary.

“We knew they only had so much time in them so we took them off without pushing them too hard.”

The Reds will be on the road this weekend as they take on the UPEI Panthers on Friday.