REDS Split On Day Three Of the U SPORTS Championships
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS faced an uphill battle on day three but managed to split their games, with both teams going 1-1.
The UNB women dropped their opening match of the day to the McMaster Marauders, 8-6. Despite scoring a four-ender in the third, UNB gave up a crucial three-point steal to the Marauders in the fifth end, allowing them to take a 5-4 lead. McMaster then scored a double in the seventh and stole a single in the eighth to extend their lead to 8-5. UNB added a single in the ninth end but couldn't catch up, ultimately conceding in the tenth.
In the afternoon draw, UNB skip Jenna Campbell played a crucial draw in the tenth end to prevent a steal of three by Laurentian, securing an 8-6 victory over the Voyagers. In a pivotal match, neither side conceded ground easily, with the Voyagers holding a narrow 4-2 lead at halftime. The REDS managed to create some distance after scoring a triple in the seventh end and then following it up with a steal of two in the eighth end. Laurentian scored a single in the ninth to narrow the gap, but Campbell's late-game heroics sealed the win for UNB.
On the men’s side, the REDS responded after a tough second day, coming back to defeat the Saint Mary’s Huskies, 10-9.
"It was a back-and-forth game,” said UNB vice-skip Sean Beland. “We traded a few big scores, but I think we played it really well and had great tenth end to get it done.”
Despite holding a narrow 5-4 lead at the fifth end break, the REDS fell behind 9-7 after giving up a double in the seventh end and back-to-back steals in the eighth and ninth ends. UNB was given an opportunity in the final end after a missed shot from the Huskies opened up a chance for skip Jamie Stewart to draw for three, and he made no mistake, hitting his shot and sealing the come-from-behind victory for the REDS, 10-9.
“The Huskies skip's last shot was really close,” said Beland. “We thought he had it made and he just barely rubbed the guard which set up Jamie for a shot for three and he threw it great.”
In their evening match, the REDS made a late push but fell short against defending champion Laurier Golden Hawks, losing 9-6.
“I think we played really well up and down the lineup,” said Beland “That’s one of the best teams in the country and we stuck with them through 10 ends.”
Laurier started strong with a double in the first end to take an early 2-0 lead. The teams exchanged single ends before the Golden Hawks secured a steal of one to go up 4-1. However, the REDS responded with a double takeout from Stewart, allowing UNB to score three in the 5th end and tie the game at 4-4 at the halfway point. Laurier then scored a triple in the seventh end to jump ahead 7-4 and followed up by stealing a single to extend their lead to 8-4. The REDS fought back with a double in the ninth end to bring them within two heading into the last end. Despite not having the hammer for the final shot, the REDS were lying two with a chance to tie the game once again. However, Laurier skip Sam Mooibroek managed to take out one of the UNB rocks to lie shot stone and score a single, clinching the match 9-6.
Friday marks the final day of round-robin play, with only one team having locked in a playoff position so far.
The UNB women (2-3) currently sit in fifth place, just outside the final playoff spot held by McMaster. The REDS will face the Waterloo Warriors at 12:30 pm and the Mount Allison Mounties at 8:30 pm to close out the round robin.
On the men’s side, UNB is tied for fifth place with the Guelph Gryphons at 2-3. The REDS will face off against the Gryphons in a crucial matchup at 8:30 am to start day four before wrapping up round-robin play against Dalhousie at 4:30 pm.
WOMEN’S STANDINGS
- Alberta Pandas 5-0
- Waterloo Warriors 4-1
- Dalhousie Tigers 3-2
- McMaster Marauders 3-2
- UNB REDS 2-3
- Laurentian Voyageurs 1-4
- Mount Allison Mounties 1-4
- Victoria Vikes 1-4
MEN’S STANDINGS
- Dalhousie Tigers 4-1
- Alberta Golden Bears 4-1
- Laurier Golden Hawks 4-1
- Regina Cougars 3-2
- Guelph Gryphons 2-3
- UNB REDS 2-3
- Brock Badgers 1-4
- Saint Mary’s Huskies 0-5
RECAP BY: Evan Richtsfeld/ UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Rob Blanchard/ for Curling Canada