VReds Down Panthers
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Varsity Reds defeated the UPEI Panthers 3-1, in their last regular season game.
UNB endS the regular season in fourth place in the Atlantic University Sport standings, with a 6-2-5 record.
Rainy weather appeared once again at BMO Centre.
Because it was the final home game of the season, UNB recognized six graduating players. Meggie Spicer(Spencer's Island, NS), Kayla Painter(Fredericton, NB), Lucy Parkin(Sheffield, UK), Laura McNicholas(Doncaster, UK), Hayley Gates(Bridgewater, NS) and Emily Sarty(Dartmouth, NS).
UNB's Painter started the scoring in the 25th minute, finishing a cross by Laura McNicholas. UPEI responded to the goal and pressured UNB creating many scoring opportunities until the 45 minute mark.
In the second half, graduating players continued scoring for the Varsity Reds. Hayley Gates scored in the 55th minute to give UNB a 2-0 lead before Spicer's goal in the 70th minute.
UPEI's lone goal was scored by Jerika Gimpel(Charlottetown, PE), who capitalized on UNB's defence not being able to successfully deal with a ball across the box.
The player of the game for UNB was Hayley Gates. For UPEI, it was Kelsie Collier(Stanhope, PE).
Head Coach Jon Crossland was happy with his team's performance. "We had good possession, good penetrating passes and some great finishes."
Going into the AUS championship, Crossland plans to work on offence. "We need to continue to work away on the offensive side, and if we continue to be a team that is hard to score against then we will give ourselves a chance".
Painter scored her last home goal as a Varsity Red, a milestone that did not go unnoticed. "It was bittersweet to score my last home game goal, but as a team we did very well today".
UNB will travel to UdeM to play in the AUS Championship. The Varsity Reds play in the quarter-final game on November 6th.