(HALIFAX, NS) The UNB Reds women's curling team fell just shy of their goal on Sunday, dropping a 7-4 decision to the Dalhousie Tigers in the gold medal game at the Subway Atlantic University Sport Curling Championships, in Halifax.

After falling behind 4-1 through four ends, UNB's Justine Comeau scored two in the fifth.

But Dal skip Kristin Clarke countered with three more in the sixth, and when Comeau only scored a single in the seventh, the sides shook hands.

"We couldn't find it once we started struggling early on," said Comeau. "We know what we need to work on going forward to the U SPORTS Championships."

Both AUS finalists now advance to the national championship, in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, March 11-15.

"I'm really excited to be able to represent UNB there, and hopefully these issues won't rise again," said Comeau.

The AUS title is the second consecutive for the Tigers.

Despite the loss in the final, Comeau was happy with her team's weekend, which saw UNB race out to a 3-0 start, then hold on to finish the round robin 3-2.

The Reds beat Mount Allison in Saturday's semi-final, before Sunday's defeat.

"The weekend, in general, went pretty well," said Comeau. "I thought we played well at the beginning, then kind of struggled half way through and had some trouble finding our game, but some games we were able to fight back."

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics with files from SMU Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Nick Pearce/for SMU Athletics