(FREDERICTON, NB) In their final regular season home game, the UNB Varsity Reds scored three second half goals on their way to a 5-0 over the Universite de Moncton Aigles Bleus.
Fifth year fullback George Lawton(Bolton, UK) scored twice, including the game-winning goal which came in just the 2nd minute.
"That's what we've been looking for all season, early goals," said Lawton. "Once we get an early goal, we can settle and be comfortable."
The Varsity Reds looked more than comfortable against the young Moncton side.
Time and time again, they pushed into the Aigles Bleus' zone, threatening on offence.
With time winding down in the first half, Ben Gorringe(Halifax, NS) scored to give UNB a 2-0 lead.
The Varsity Reds long-awaited offensive explosion came in the second half.
Lawton scored his second.
Jose Lopez(Calgary, AB) and Alex O'Brien(Charlottetown, PE) followed.
"It was intense," said Moncton's Alexandre Theriault(Bathurst, NB). "The weather was not there, for both teams, but UNB played well and gave us a good fight, right until the end."
UNB's rookie keeper, Evan Barker(Winnipeg, MB) recorded his ninth shut-out of the season, his fifth in a row.
"Right now, we've got the fewest goals against in the country," said Varsity Reds head coach Miles Pinsent. "Our rookie goaltender has the fewest goals allowed, so I think that's something that the boys see value in and want to see through to the end of the season."
Barker was forced to handle just four Moncton shots.
"We're after no more goals, to get the best record in the country and that's what meant the most today, keeping that zero on the board," said Lawton.
With the loss, Moncton's season comes to an end.
Theriault says the young Aigles Bleus learned a lot in the loss.
"It was a good way to end the season, and a good way to see forward to next year," he said. "We have a young team and we can build on that for next year."
The Varsity Reds wrap up the regular season on Saturday, at Mount Allison.
George Lawton is hoping the goals keep coming.
"Going to playoffs, we needed to finally get our rhythm," he said. "Everyone's confidence is high. We've got another big game tomorrow. It's going to be a tough challenge, in Sackville."
UNB will play host to the Subway Atlantic University Sport men's soccer championship, next week.
Play begins Thursday, at BMO Centre, with two quarter-final matches. The first kicks off at 4:30PM, the second at 7:00PM.
Two semi-final matches will be played Friday, at 4:30PM and 7:00PM.
The championship game goes Sunday, at 2:00PM.