V-Reds take on undefeated Panthers

Soccer | UNB teams home to UPEI, Cape Breton

The UNB Varsity Reds have a tall task ahead of them this weekend.

The Reds (2-4-2) are playing host to the undefeated UPEI Panthers (7-0), the top-ranked team in the Atlantic University Sport women's soccer conference, Saturday at 1 p.m. at BMO Centre.

The Panthers, who've scored 14 times while allowing just a single goal through seven games, are also enjoying a number four ranking on the Canadian Interuniversity Sport national list.

"They're a strong team, they play with a lot of confidence," said Sam Legacy, UNB's leading scorer, who's netted five goals through eight games, good for second overall in the league scoring race. "Every year I've been here they've been a top team. They set the standard, so playing against them is a good thing because you can see where your team stands."

Currently holding the sixth and final playoff spot in the AUS, the Reds should be a little more nervous about their post-season chances.

But since the team is hosting the AUS playoff tournament Nov. 4-6., they have a luxury of working toward that end goal, as opposed to grinding it out week by week, hoping to squeak in.

"We're glad to be playing (UPEI) because we don't have to keep looking ahead in short glances, we can focus on our own improvement," said Legacy, who has earned AUS and UNB athlete of the week honours this season.

For her part, the five-foot-six, third-year striker has been enjoying her best season offensively since joining the V-Reds.

She attributes her successes so far to the rest of her team and its ability to effectively move the ball up the field and into the 18-yard box, giving her ample opportunities to put the ball in the net.

She's also simply more comfortable out on the field as a veteran player.

"I'm older, I'm more comfortable now than I was, and we only play with a single striker. So there's a lot of opportunities for me, and I think our team has gotten a lot better at moving the ball into the box. That's where most of my goals come from."

One thing that's impressed the Moncton native is how quickly the team's dozen or so rookies have adapted to the pace of university soccer.

She said it bodes well for the future of the program, and with veteran midfielders Heather Ambery and Alex Black out with injury, more field time is available to the rookies.

"It's a big change overall (from previous seasons)," she said, "We have 11 or 12 new players, who bring a lot more ideas and different styles of play."

"Next season those players will be even better. With a year under their belts, they'll be able to improve even more."

The UNB-UPEI men's game kicks off Saturday at 3:15 p.m. at BMO Centre. Sunday, the Cape Breton University Capers providing the opposition for the V-Reds at 1 and 3:15 p.m., respectively.