REDS To Open At Home
(FREDERICTON, NB) For only the second time in more than a decade, the UNB REDS soccer teams will open the season on home turf.
The REDS women and men will open their 2024 Atlantic University Sport seasons on Friday, August 30th, when they welcome the Cape Breton University Capers to UNB’s BMO Centre.
The women kick-off at 5:00pm and the men are scheduled for a 7:15pm start.
UNB will also play home games against Mount Allison, Saint Mary’s, Moncton, UPEI, and STFX.
“It’s only the second time in 13 years that I can remember opening the season at home,” said Jon Crossland, head coach of the REDS’ women’s team. “We’ll enjoy being in front of family, friends, and fans, and have the crowd behind us as we start the season.”
The REDS will play road games at Memorial, Acadia, Dalhousie, Mount Allison, and Moncton.
“I think schedule release day is a great day for people to start planning their fall,” said Barry Morrison, head coach of UNB’s men’s team. “We have families and alumni who like to travel to see our team play, and this gives them a chance to connect and see if they’re able to coordinate schedules and attend some games.”
Returning student-athletes are as excited as REDS coaches.
Aurora Hughes-Goyette will be a fourth-year fullback when the 2024 season kicks off.
“My first feelings are excitement and anticipation to put all the hard work my team and I have put in this off-season into action,” she said. “Seeing the schedule made me imagine the games and picture the outcomes. I can’t wait.”
“I want our student-athletes to connect the schedule with our journey for the year,” said Coach Morrison. “We get to see who we play and when, and understand the difficult stretches we will face this year.”
The release of the 2024 schedules comes on what is the final day of winter term classes at UNB, and that’s not lost on Coach Crossland.
“It really seems fitting that we wrap up one year and on the same day get our schedule for next season,” he said. “Getting the schedule does give us a focus for the summer, you look at who you have first and know where you’ll be. It gives you something to focus on when you’re running that last kilometre or pushing through that last set. We know there are no easy games in the AUS, so we’ll have to be ready.”
With the new schedule also comes word that UNB will host the 2024 AUS men’s soccer championship tournament.
The league’s top six teams will gather in Fredericton, October 24th through 27th.
Two quarter-final games will be played Thursday, and two semi-finals go Friday, directing two teams to a championship showdown on Sunday.
“Hosting the AUS Championship is a huge deal for our program,” said Morrison. “We’ve been on the door of playing for an AUS championship over the last three years, continuing to creep closer, and hosting the AUS tournament is a great opportunity for us to compete for a championship at home.”
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
FILE PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics