Late marker sends Reds into playoffs
October 30, 2010
As the month of October is dwindling away, so was the UNB men’s soccer season until Galen Smith (Fredericton, NB) pushed the Reds into the playoffs with a goal in the dying minutes.
“We made it a little more exciting then we would’ve like squeaking out a one-goal victory in the last game of the season, but that just reflected on the league,” said head coach Miles Pinsent. “All the games were close and I think we deserved the victory on the day and I think we deserved the playoff spot.”
The V-Reds played host to the UPEI Panthers on a very brisk and very windy fall day in a match that would decide the fate of both teams. A loss or tie would do no good for either squad.
The clubs began the match with in conservative fashion; either side erring on the side of caution to avoid making the first mistake.
UNB managed to sustain some early pressure as Smith and Jason Bessey (Goose Bay, NF) created offensive chances, only to be denied by UPEI keeper Brett MacDonald. His counterpart in goal, Aaron McMurray (London, ON) was not to be outdone as he made several key saves as well. The clubs traded chances in the first half, but both sets of fullbacks were equal to the task keeping the game at a scoreless draw at halftime.
In the second half, the Reds came out with a sense of urgency as their season was slipping away. Controlling the play for the majority of the forty-five minutes, UNB created an onslaught of offensive pressure that pinned the Panthers in their own half.
The assault was fueled by the relentless tenacity of Bessey and Jean-Claude Campeau (Winnipeg, MB). The pair engineered several offensive attacks ending in near misses. The anxious crowd groaned in dismay as William Allen (Kensington, PEI) grazed the post in the 58th minute and Bessey blasted a shot wide in the 67th.
As desperation mode set in for both squads, coach Pinsent took advantage of an injury stoppage in the 83rd minute in the to keep his team focused. The talk seemed to have paid immediate dividends as Amir Razak (Fredericton, NB) slipped past the Panthers defensive line and rocketed a shot top corner. Unfortunately, the midfielder was called offside and the game remained all-square.
Unabashed, Campeau dangled around two UPEI defenders and snuck a quick chip into the six-yard box where the 6’4” frame of Smith was waiting head it into the gaping goal with four minutes of regular time remaining.
“J.C. got the ball running down the wing and he put a couple of crosses in already in the game; one for me and one when I was off that was beautiful,” said Smith. “I was hoping he was going to do the same thing again and he did. He played a fantastic game today.”
The Panthers threw everything they had into a comeback, but were turned away by UNB’s strong defensive play. After what seemed like an eternity for the V-Reds, the referee’s final whistle blew to the roar of the UNB faithful.
Campeau, who was named the player of the game, and Bessey both received high praise from their coach for their strong play in such a crucial match.
“Those are two that take on that workman’s approach that we’ve been instilling in the guys all year,” commented Pinsent. “They are the best examples of it and they sure do inspire the rest of the guys with their efforts and their tough play.”
Even though it was the offensive that saved their playoff hopes, the Reds bench boss gave most of the credit to his defensive core.
“Our sound defending and good goaltending is what keeps us in the games and that’s what gives us a chance to win. It’s just going to be a matter of ‘can we outscore the other team?’ because we know the other team isn’t going to get too many chances. As long as we get that one goal, we feel that we’re in it with a chance to win.”
The three points solidified a berth in the AUS Championships. The V-Reds await their playoff seed, however, as it depends on other AUS action this weekend.
Pinsent isn’t overly concerned where the squad finishes as he confident that any team can take home the title.
“There were obviously a couple of teams that were ahead of the table quite a bit, but playoff soccer in November is completely different than regular soccer. All those games are going to be tight and close and as long as your discipline and don’t give up the easy goal, any team is in it with a chance to win.”
The Championships will take place next weekend in Moncton.
“We made it a little more exciting then we would’ve like squeaking out a one-goal victory in the last game of the season, but that just reflected on the league,” said head coach Miles Pinsent. “All the games were close and I think we deserved the victory on the day and I think we deserved the playoff spot.”
The V-Reds played host to the UPEI Panthers on a very brisk and very windy fall day in a match that would decide the fate of both teams. A loss or tie would do no good for either squad.
The clubs began the match with in conservative fashion; either side erring on the side of caution to avoid making the first mistake.
UNB managed to sustain some early pressure as Smith and Jason Bessey (Goose Bay, NF) created offensive chances, only to be denied by UPEI keeper Brett MacDonald. His counterpart in goal, Aaron McMurray (London, ON) was not to be outdone as he made several key saves as well. The clubs traded chances in the first half, but both sets of fullbacks were equal to the task keeping the game at a scoreless draw at halftime.
In the second half, the Reds came out with a sense of urgency as their season was slipping away. Controlling the play for the majority of the forty-five minutes, UNB created an onslaught of offensive pressure that pinned the Panthers in their own half.
The assault was fueled by the relentless tenacity of Bessey and Jean-Claude Campeau (Winnipeg, MB). The pair engineered several offensive attacks ending in near misses. The anxious crowd groaned in dismay as William Allen (Kensington, PEI) grazed the post in the 58th minute and Bessey blasted a shot wide in the 67th.
As desperation mode set in for both squads, coach Pinsent took advantage of an injury stoppage in the 83rd minute in the to keep his team focused. The talk seemed to have paid immediate dividends as Amir Razak (Fredericton, NB) slipped past the Panthers defensive line and rocketed a shot top corner. Unfortunately, the midfielder was called offside and the game remained all-square.
Unabashed, Campeau dangled around two UPEI defenders and snuck a quick chip into the six-yard box where the 6’4” frame of Smith was waiting head it into the gaping goal with four minutes of regular time remaining.
“J.C. got the ball running down the wing and he put a couple of crosses in already in the game; one for me and one when I was off that was beautiful,” said Smith. “I was hoping he was going to do the same thing again and he did. He played a fantastic game today.”
The Panthers threw everything they had into a comeback, but were turned away by UNB’s strong defensive play. After what seemed like an eternity for the V-Reds, the referee’s final whistle blew to the roar of the UNB faithful.
Campeau, who was named the player of the game, and Bessey both received high praise from their coach for their strong play in such a crucial match.
“Those are two that take on that workman’s approach that we’ve been instilling in the guys all year,” commented Pinsent. “They are the best examples of it and they sure do inspire the rest of the guys with their efforts and their tough play.”
Even though it was the offensive that saved their playoff hopes, the Reds bench boss gave most of the credit to his defensive core.
“Our sound defending and good goaltending is what keeps us in the games and that’s what gives us a chance to win. It’s just going to be a matter of ‘can we outscore the other team?’ because we know the other team isn’t going to get too many chances. As long as we get that one goal, we feel that we’re in it with a chance to win.”
The three points solidified a berth in the AUS Championships. The V-Reds await their playoff seed, however, as it depends on other AUS action this weekend.
Pinsent isn’t overly concerned where the squad finishes as he confident that any team can take home the title.
“There were obviously a couple of teams that were ahead of the table quite a bit, but playoff soccer in November is completely different than regular soccer. All those games are going to be tight and close and as long as your discipline and don’t give up the easy goal, any team is in it with a chance to win.”
The Championships will take place next weekend in Moncton.