Panthers slash Reds playoff hopes

UNB kicked off the game with early pressure against the UPEI team, ranked eighth in the country going into the weekend.

The Reds put pressure on early gaining multiple chances off corner kicks, with none leading to a goal.

Coach Andy Cameron knows these chances have been where they succeeded all season, but just could not convert against the Panthers.

“We’ve scored several goals on corner kicks this year and have been very successful, but just came up short on them today.”

The game was back and forth in the first half, with the Reds leading in chances. The first half ended at 0-0.

In the second half, both teams kept up the back and forth play, with the Varsity Reds showing they could play with the top team in the conference.

The Panthers did eventually crack the UNB defence in the 88th minute with a goal from Sara Stewart past Reds keeper Erica Ermen (Moncton, NB) off a free kick.

UNB was unable to get any quality chances in the final minutes remaining in the game as UPEI took the game 1-0 clinching top spot in the AUS.

Coach Cameron was happy with his team’s play in the loss.

“I thought we played really well,” he said. “We improved all season, but giving up a goal in the 88th minute is tough and that makes it tough for the playoffs. We need a lot of breaks right now.”

“We stuck to what we wanted to do. We played well, but were unfortunate with a free kick in the final minutes of the game, but are on track and hope we make the playoffs.”

Cameron was confident his team was prepared if they had made the playoffs.

“If we’re in, I think we are prepared,” he said. “We have been playing very well since Thanksgiving and we just showed today we can play with anybody in the playoffs.”

The players of the game were Alexandra Black (Yoho, NB) for the Varsity Reds and Sara Stewart for the UPEI Panthers.

The Reds finish the season at 4-7-2 finishing with 14 points, an improvement from last season’s 2-10-1 and seven point finish.