Reds Blank Axemen
(FREDERICTON, NB) The U SPORTS No. 10 UNB Reds scored a 3-0 win over the Acadia Axemen on Saturday.
Tristan Nkoghe (Sherbrooke, QC) had a goal and an assist in the win, earning Subway Player of the Game honours.
"It was an important win for us," said Nkoghe. "We had to start the weekend strong, and this is great motivation as we head into tomorrow's (Sunday's) game."
The home team opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Keji Adeniyi (London, UK) beat Acadia's starting keeper Andrew Nutt (Whitby, ON).
Nutt was injured on the play and replaced by veteran Pietro Nottegar (Dartmouth, NS).
UNB doubled its lead in the 40th minute.
Luis Garcia (San Antonio, TX) fired a shot that deflected off the leg of an Axemen defender and past Nottegar.
In the second half, in the 57th minute, Nkoghe fired a laser of a shot from just outside the 18-yard box that eluded Nottegar.
"We noticed they were playing five or six at the back, so we had to adjust and make quick passes through the middle, and when we did that, we had success," said Nkoghe.
The Axemen, disappointed with the loss, did see some positives.
Fourth-year fullback Gordon McLaughlin (Peterborough, ON) was happy with Acadia's defensive effort.
"We haven't been that well organized as a team, and today we showed we were better," he said. "Their goals, they had to work really hard for them. That's what we wanted to do. We didn't want to give them the win."
The Reds, now 4-2-2, visit UPEI on Sunday for a 5:15pm start.
The Axemen, who fall to 1-6-1 on the season, will visit Dalhousie on Wednesday.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics