REDS Battle To A Draw With Mounties
(SACKVILLE, NB) The UNB REDS played to a 1-1 draw against the Mount Allison Mounties on Friday evening in Sackville, NB.
An early goal from Olivia Crowe (Fall River, NS) three minutes into the second half tied the game for the REDS and helped pick up a point.
"It is mixed feeling," said UNB head coach Jonathan Crossland. "We did a lot of things really well tonight but couldn't find the goal we needed. Where we are in the standings and with limited games left, everything is magnified, and everything has a higher degree of importance. We couldn't find that key goal despite having a lot of chances."
UNB had its opportunities in the opening half, with a notable chance arising in the 10th minute when Julia Currie (Sydney, NS) delivered a superb cross to Crowe, who was positioned in front of the goal. Unfortunately, Crowe couldn't get the better of Mounties keeper Isabel Tanfara (Quispamsis, NB), who denied the scoring opportunity.
A minute later, Aurora Hughes-Goyette (Garibaldi Heights, BC) found herself in a prime scoring position, all alone in front of the net. Her attempt was thwarted as the Mounties keeper sprawled out to make one of her eight saves.
The Mounties opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, with a beautifully delivered corner kick by Kathryn Perry (Riverview, NB) that found the head of Hailey Frampton (Oshawa,ON), propelling Mount Allison to a 1-0 lead.
Mount Allison would take that lead into the halftime break.
The REDS came out firing in the second half, taking just three minutes to equalize as Crowe found the back of the net in the 48th minute.
"We challenged the subs to make an impact," said Crossland. "We've seen when these players combine the guts with a game plan that we can be an elite group. I loved the start to that second half, and it set us up for those chances that we created."
The REDS controlled possession for the majority of the second half but were unable to find a winner, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.
Their best chance came in the 85th minute, with an impressive effort from Jillian Curtis (Corpus Christi, TX), who skillfully maneuvered around two Mount A defenders. Her shot rang off the post, rebounded to Currie but her shot was deflected by Mount A defender Megan LaHay (Oshawa, ON) maintaining the tie.
"Players inspire players… you see your teammate running through a tackle or hustling and it is contagious," said Crossland. "Unfortunately, it didn't lead to the crucial second goal we needed."
The REDS, who sit a point outside the sixth and final playoff spot in the AUS standings will wrap up their regular season at home on October 20th and 21st, hosting the Cape Breton Capers and STFX X-Women. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 pm and 3:00 pm, respectively, at UNB's BMO Centre.
RECAP BY: Evan Richtsfeld/UNB Athletics with files from Mount Allison Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Galen Juliusson/for Mount Allison Athletics