X-Men Blank REDS

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS dropped their final game of the Atlantic University Sport regular season, 3-0 to the STFX X-Men on Saturday.

STFX's Logan Rieck (Cambridge, ON) was named Tim Hortons Player of the Game for his two-goal performance.

"[STFX] did a great job to find ways to get forward and ways to create, and they capitalized on three chances," said UNB head coach Barry Morrison.

In the 13th minute, a potential goal from Rieck caromed off the UNB crossbar.

The REDS defense thwarted several more X-Men opportunities, forcing a STFX shot to sail over the net in the 22nd minute. UNB keeper Mahmoud Moustafa (Stratford, PE) made a sliding save just two minutes later.

UNB's first opportunity to score was foiled in the 31st minute.

Just before half, Moustafa made another impressive save, but Rieck answered with a 25-yard strike to put the X-Men up 1-0 at half.

"We struggled at the start against these guys, so it was good to finish off the season with a win, and we can carry the momentum going on to playoffs," said Rieck.

X's Kyle Cordeiro (Oakville, ON) scored in the 51st minute, taking sole possession of the AUS lead in scoring with 11 points and goals with nine.

In the 69th minute, the REDS were unable to convert on a corner kick opportunity.

Another potential STFX goal found the UNB crossbar in the 70th minute and Moustafa made another of his six saves in the 74th minute.

Rieck scored again, this time on a breakaway, in the 77th minute, pushing the STFX lead to 3-0.

"We conceded a lot of goals this season, so the clean sheet is what we're most happy about," he said.

UNB closes the regular season with a 6-3-3 record, good for third in AUS, while STFX finishes second at 9-2-1.

"We're really excited about playoffs," said Morrison. "This weekend, we ended with a real battle, seeing the other two top teams in the conference."

"We'll land third, we'll get to see both [STFX and Cape Breton] again this season and we'll find ways to get the next level of results against them."

Both teams will travel to Cape Breton next weekend, as the CBU Capers host the AUS Soccer Championships from Thursday to Sunday. UNB will play in the quarter-finals on Thursday, while STFX, owners of a first round bye, will play in the AUS semi-final on Friday.

RECAP BY: Peter Jewett/for UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Fran Harris/for UNB Athletics