Resurgent V-Reds have tough weekend ahead

Coming off two decisive victories, the UNB women's soccer team is going up against some stiff competition Saturday when the Varsity Reds host the undefeated, first-place UPEI Panthers.

The Reds made easy work of the Acadia Axemen (0-4-2) and Universite de Moncton Blue Eagles (0-5) last weekend, outscoring the league's two worst teams 9-2.

But the team will be in tough this weekend, with games against UPEI (5-0) in Charlottetown Saturday at 1 p.m. and Mount Allison University (1-3-1) at home at BMO Centre Sunday at 1 p.m.

"It will give us a yard stick as to where we are with preparation," said Reds head coach Andy Cameron. "Last year, we competed well against UPEI, losing 1-0 in the final minute of our first match against them, and 1-0 in injury time in the second. We know we're competitive, so we're anxious to see where we stack up."

Striker Sam Legacy has carried the offensive load for the Reds so far his season.

The third-year arts student, who was named AUS player of the week for two consecutive weeks, had three goals in the Reds two weekend victories, giving her a league-leading five on the season so far through six games.

"Sam is the top striker in the league right now," said Cameron. "I think our three veteran players are stepping up right now and showing good leadership."

The other two players Cameron referenced that are steering the Reds at he moment is midfielder Heather Ambery, a fourth-year player from Ottawa, and fourth-year defender Elise Arseneau of Fredericton.

Ambery suffered a sprained MCL last week, and will be out of the lineup until Thanksgiving, said Cameron, but it allows the Reds bench to step up and filling her void.

"That will create another test for us," said Cameron, "but it's an opportunity to give other players more playing time, so we will use it as a positive and see how we play without her."

He said while it appears the top-two league spots, occupied right now by UPEI and Dalhousie (4-1), may be out of reach, a third or fourth place finish isn't out of the question for the sixth place Reds, seeking to end a playoff drought that extends back to 2006.

Crucial to their success will be how the team deals with fatigue down the stretch, especially this Sunday against Mount A., who has Saturday off while the Reds battle the Panthers.

Cameron said strength in numbers and mental fortitude will help in that regard.

"The fact that you play Saturday and Sunday games, fatigue is always going to be a factor," he said. "And that's what we've been trying to address this week. Part of it is numbers, and part is tactically playing to conserve energy, and part of it is just being mentally tough enough to finish off those final 15 minutes in a game."

The Reds are on the road against PEI Saturday, and play Sunday at home against Mount A. at 1 p.m. at BMO Centre.

"We are coming off a strong weekend with some significant goals, and people on the team are feeling pretty good about it," said Cameron. "Now we're going to test ourselves against the first place team."