REDS Bow Out In AUS QFs
(ANTIGONISH, NS) The UNB REDS men's soccer team fell in penalty kicks to l'Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus in the quarter-finals of the Atlantic University Sport Men's Soccer Championship, in Antigonish, on Thursday afternoon.
Moncton keeper Soan Janssen made two saves on UNB's five attempts from the spot while four consecutive Aigles Bleus' converted theirs.
The result ended the REDS' season and an epic game between the provincial rivals.
"It was heartbreaking to lose on penalties after a really well contested game," said REDS' head coach Barry Morrison. "I felt our guys had an outstanding effort and I'm proud of their performance despite the result going against us."
UNB faced challenges in the early going, collecting two yellow cards in the first 20 minutes in a scoreless first half.
Fortunately for the REDS, that situation did not get any worse.
UNB was first on the scoreboard, scoring in the 62nd minute.
Working down the right side, Liam McGowan headed a bouncing ball to himself before calmly touching it past Janssen and into the far corner of the net.
In the 75th minute, after a handball in the Moncton box, Janssen stopped Alex Oprea's penalty and that set the table for some late drama.
In added time, off a free kick from deep in their own zone, Moncton's Saif Thiam scored from a scramble in front of REDS' keeper Jensen Brown to tie the game 1-1 and force overtime.
Moncton took a lead early in overtime when Soumalia Mohamed Dagnoko fired a hard shot past Brown.
About four minutes later, Moncton was once again whistled for a hand ball in the box.
McGowan scored on the ensuing PK to draw the REDS even, 2-2.
Neither team could find a winning goal in what remained of the overtime and Moncton emerged victorious in the shootout that followed.
"Obviously, it's upsetting to lose in the quarter-finals," said graduating REDS' midfielder Stefano D'Ambrogio. "It's a sour way to end my career as a RED. Over my five years, I've seen both highs and lows, and my advice to the rest of the group and returning players is to take the lessons from this season and apply them to the next."
"This group is exciting and talented, and I can't wait to see what they accomplish," added D'Ambrogio.
The No. 5 seeded REDS are eliminated and No. 4 Moncton advances to play top-ranked Cape Breton in the semi-finals on Friday.
"We'll take some time to reflect and debrief the season, and then get back at it, preparing for next season," said Coach Morrison. "We have some exciting young guys coming through and I can't wait to see where they lead us next."
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB REDS
PHOTOS BY: Bryan Kennedy/for STFX Athletics