(FREDERICTON, NB) In need of a win, the UNB Reds scored a 2-1 home turf win over the Memorial Sea Hawks on Saturday.
The win keeps UNB's playoffs hopes alive.
The home side opened the scoring in the 18th minute.
Clarisse Ramirez (Ottawa, ON), on a run down the left side of the field, cut to the middle and fired a hard shot past Sea Hawks keeper Sydney Walsh (St. John's, NL).
Memorial evened the score six minutes later, when fifth year Sea Hawk Teri Murphy (St. John's, NL) struck from long distance, her shot eluding Reds keeper Brynn Nash (Saskatoon, SK).
The two teams went to the half tied 1-1.
The Reds took their lead early in the second half.
UNB put the ball into the Memorial box where it bounced near the line, right to Jesse Bellamy (St. Catharine's, ON) who headed it down and into the net.
"It came down a little over the top, hit the ground and bounced to me," said Bellamy. "it's my first goal, so it felt really good. It's always nice to get the goal that puts the team in the lead."
Bellamy, named the Subway Player of the Game, was pleased with the win.
"It's such a relief," she said. "We've been working so hard, but haven't got the results we wanted. To get that win that could push us towards the playoffs feels really good."
Through the latter stages of the game, the Reds continued to press, looking for a third goal, but Walsh held back several UNB chances.
Abby Sullivan (Orleans, Mass.) looked to have put UNB ahead in the 73rd minute, but the play was ruled off-side.
"We knew they were as good as anybody else in the league," said Sea Hawks head coach Mike Power. "It's tough not to come out of here with any points, but we march on."
The Sea Hawks are now 3-3-3. They head to Moncton for a game on Sunday.
"Credit to UNB," said Power. "They found a way and got the job done. We knew they would be full of life and spirit, they're a well-led group."
The Reds, now 3-7-1, finish their Atlantic University Sport regular season schedule on Friday, when they host Mount Allison. Game time is 5:00pm.
RECAP AND PHOTOS: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics