VReds And MUN Draw

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Varsity Reds and Memorial Sea Hawks played to a scoreless draw, Saturday afternoon, at BMO Centre, in front of a crowd of more than 600.

Despite late pressure by the Varsity Reds, Memorial's defence held, preserving the 0-0 score.

Sea Hawks's keeper Braedan Sheppard(St. John's, NL) made a leaping stop in the final seconds, punching the ball over the goal, off a Varsity Reds free kick.

Sheppard stopped seven UNB shots, while Varsity Reds keeper Evan Barker(Winnipeg, MB) handled six from the Sea Hawks, posting his second straight clean sheet.

Varsity Reds head coach Miles Pinsent was not satisfied with the tie, saying his team left points on the field.

"This team has got to get used to playing against opponents that are content with a draw," said Pinsent. "We have to be committed to the cause to try and break down a team that's going to just park the bus and try and deny us."

Unlike Pinsent, Sea Hawks head coach Jake Stanford was happy with the draw.

"Why not? Defending AUS champs, silver medalists at CIS… a draw is pretty good," said Stanford.

For UNB, it was the third straight draw to start the season.

Fourth year Varsity Reds' fullback Kalen Park(Calgary, AB) feels Memorial executed their game-plan to perfection.

"They like to sit back and absorb as much pressure as possible," said Park. "It can be effective, as it was today, if people are looking to get ties."

For his role in holding the Varsity Reds offence off the scoreboard, MUN defender Alex Pretty(St. John's, NL) was named the Subway Player of the Game.

"I thought we had a few chances to score too," said Coach Stanford. "We tried to get them on a few counter attacks, and it worked, but their keeper made two nice saves."

UNB's potent offence was, once again, stymied.

Coach Pinsent believes it's only a matter of time before that offence clicks.

"We're not far off," said Pinsent. "Once the first goal or two go in, I think it'll just open things up from there."

Kalen Park agrees.

"As soon as we get that first one, I think it'll just settle everybody down," said Park.

UNB hosts UPEI on Sunday, at BMO Centre, in a game scheduled to start at 3:15PM.

The Sea Hawks, now 0-1-2, travel to Moncton, for a Sunday contest against les Aigles Bleus.