(SYDNEY, NS) The No. 5 UNB Reds earned a 3-1 win over No. 4 Dalhousie in the first game at the Subway Atlantic University Sport Women's Soccer Championship, on Thursday.
The Reds scored two second half goals, and got an own goal from the Tigers, on route to the win.
The game started in an exciting and chippy fashion, with both teams having almost identical records fighting to make it to the next round.
In the first seven minutes, Tigers keeper Annabel Gravely (Toronto, ON) had to make a nice save to keep the game scoreless, and that seemed to give the Tigers a boost.
Dal's offence then put pressure on Reds keeper Brynn Nash (Saskatoon, SK).
The game then shifted in favor of the Tigers.
After a cross and a scramble in front of the Reds' net, Kaitlyn Woodworth (Bridgewater, NS) scored to give Dal a 1-0 lead.
The half ended with Nash making a few gorgeous saves to keep the game 1-0.
In the second half, a quicker UNB team used good defense to create offense.
In the 48th minute, after using a great dribble move to get a breakaway. Clarisse Ramirez (Ottawa, ON) punched the ball into the back of the net to tie the game 1-1.
The deadlock didn't last though, and in the 63rd minute, after two great diving saves by Gravely, the loose ball was tapped in by Danika Lefebvre (Fredericton, NB), giving the Reds a 2-1 lead.
In the 81st minute, the Tigers got a few great opportunities, but could not capitalize.
The Tigers were credited with an own goal late in the match, giving the Reds a 3-1 win.
"We changed our tactics in the second half," said Reds head coach Jon Crossland. "Dal did a good job countering our plan in the first half. I'm getting a lot of credit for a great half time talk, but the message was we're okay and get the tempo up. We scored a couple scrappy goals, and that's what happens sometimes in the playoffs."
UNB's Jesse Bellamy (St. Catharines, ON) was named the Subway Player of the Game.
UNB advances to face the No. 1 seeded Acadia Axewomen, on Friday.
"We have to be energized and organized from the get go against Acadia," said Crossland. "The goal wasn't to come here and win a game. We'll make a few tweaks to address Acadia's strengths, but the biggest thing is to be energized and organized."
The Reds and Axewomen kick-off in the first of two AUS semi-finals, at 11:30 on Friday morning.
RECAP BY: Daniel Briand/for CBU Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Vaughan Merchant/for CBU Athletics