Lefebvre Scores Pair In Reds Win

(FREDERICTON, NB) Danika Lefebvre (Fredericton, NB) scored twice in a two-minute span to lift the UNB Reds to a 3-2 win over the visiting l'Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues on Sunday.

With the home team trailing, Lefebvre scored in the 80^th minute and again in the 82^nd minute, a nice conversion of a crossing pass, to push the Reds ahead.

"I feel fantastic," said Lefebvre in the moments following the come-from-behind win. "I was skeptical of my abilities, a little bit, having been taken off 20 minutes in. It was not what I wanted, but I came back and just took it to them."

Veteran fullback Rachael Burton (Hammonds Plains, NS) opened the scoring, converting a corner kick in the 32^nd minute.

But, in added time, les Aigles Bleues drew even before the end of the first half.

Catherine Dupuis (St-Mathias, QC) beat Reds keeper Brynn Nash (Saskatoon, SK) just moments before the half ended.

Dupuis struck again early in the second half.

She fired a high shot from well outside the 18-yard box that eluded Nash and gave Moncton a 2-1 edge.

Both sides pressured through the middle stages of the second half, with Lefebvre providing the late heroics for the home team.

"Moncton played a great game," said Lefebvre, named Subway Player of the Game. "They couldn't have come out any stronger. We were taken aback, at half, in the dressing room. But we didn't lose hope, we kept playing our game."

Les Aigles Bleues were, understandably, upset with the loss, but team captain Natalie Fleming (Moncton, NB) feels there were bright spots.

"We stuck to it the whole game, which is good, but we allowed those two late goals, so that's disappointing. We feel that our performance was good, so that is something to build on," said Fleming.

With the win, the Reds clinch a spot in the Atlantic University Sport playoffs.

UNB is now 6-4-1 and wrap up the regular season by playing host to Cape Breton on Friday. Game time is 5:00pm.

Les Aigles Bleues, now 2-6-2, have been eliminated from playoff contention. They visit Saint Mary's on Friday.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics