REDS Draw With Sea-Hawks
(ST. JOHN'S, NL) Stefano D'Ambrogio's (Toronto, ON) goal in the 86th minute allowed the UNB REDS to salvage a point in a 1-1 draw with the Memorial Sea-Hawks, in St. John's, in Atlantic University Sport men's soccer action on Saturday.
D'Ambrogio corralled the rebound of a Luke Rosettani (Ottawa, ON) shot and slid the ball past Sea-Hawks' keeper and former RED Louis-Charles Vaillancourt (Sherbrooke, QC) and into the bottom right corner of the net.
"We were happy to battle back tonight and come away with a point," said REDS' head coach Barry Morrison. "We feel good about our performance."
In a physical first half, both teams were able to create opportunities, but it was the home team that capitalized as the first 45 minutes wound down.
In the 35th minute, Memorial's Brent Hennebury (Lawn, NL) managed to find an opening and rifled a ball to the top right corner, past REDS' keeper Mahmoud Moustafa (Stratford, PE).
Despite surrendering the early goal, Moustafa was able to thwart a number of Memorial chances that followed, and the teams went to the half-time break with the hosts up 1-0.
The intense action continued in the second and the REDS continued to rely on their back line and Moustafa to keep within striking distance of the Sea-Hawks.
With full time on the horizon, D'Ambrogio made his move and tied the game.
The remaining few minutes saw the physicality increase.
The REDS made a late substitution when Roan Saengmeng (Charlottetown, PE) was injured. Harrison McGinn (Jewetts Mills, NB) came into the game, which finished without a winning goal.
With the draw, the REDS are now 1-2-1, good for fourth place in the AUS standings. Memorial is 2-1-1 and tied for top spot with Cape Breton.
The REDS return to action Saturday when they host the Saint Mary's Huskies. Game time is 5:15pm. The Sea-Hawks visit Acadia on Saturday. That game is scheduled for 3:15pm.
"We'll build on the performances from this weekend and look forward to seeing Saint Mary's and Moncton in Fredericton next weekend," said Coach Morrison.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: MUN Athletics