(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE) The UNB Reds late season surge continued Sunday, with a 5-1 triumph over the UPEI Panthers.
The win, UNB's fourth consecutive, pushes the Reds record to 4-2-2, while UPEI is now 1-5-2 with the loss.
"You look at the standings right now and things are pretty tight," said Reds head coach Miles Pinsent. "We've been able to string together two strong weekends in a row and we knew that's what we needed to do. We're happy with the progression we're making, and getting the maximum points this weekend was critical."
Rookie midfielder Alex Dodgshon (Liverpool, UK) scored early, setting the one for UNB. Dodgshon was able to find the back of the net on a cross from teammate Matt Quigley (Conquerall Mills, NS) in the 8th minute.
A 36th minute turnover near their own box cost the Panthers, as Ben Gorringe (Truro, NS) picked off an errant pass, took a couple steps in and laced a shot over the Panthers' keeper.
"We always knew we had the ability to score, it just didn't show at the beginning of the year," said Gorringe, who was named Subway Player of the Game. "We've been working on our offence a lot and it's great seeing it come to life."
The Reds continued to press UPEI's defence early in the second half, and on successive attacks they managed to hit the post and crossbar before it laying it on the Panthers. First it was Dan Walker (Fredericton, NB), who timed his sprint to the goal line perfectly and deposited a great feed from Tristan Nkoghe (Sherbrooke, QC) in the 57th minute. Two minutes later, Gorringe headed a cross to Joe Hamilton (Morecambe, UK), who finished the play and extended the lead to 4-0.
The home team got one back after keeper Evan Barker (Winnipeg, MB) fumbled the ball following a save, allowing Mohammad Jaber (Halifax, NS) to capitalize on the play.
Grant Takacs (Woodstock, ON) scored minutes after entering the game late, putting any thoughts of a UPEI comeback to bed.
"We've been sticking to the process and trusting each other and we knew the results would come," Gorringe said. "It's just great seeing the ball go in the back of the net for us now. Hopefully we can build off this."
The Panthers return to the field on October 14th, when they take on St. FX. Game time is 4:15pm.
The Reds visit Acadia on October 12, for a 7:15pm start.
RECAP: Thomas Becker/for UPEI Athletics
PHOTOS: UPEI Athletics