(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds and St FX X-Men played to a 3-3 draw, Sunday at UNB's BMO Centre.
Luis Garcia (San Antonio, Tex.) scored on a penalty kick in the 82nd minute to tie the game for the home side.
"I don't think we're satisfied with any draw," said Garcia, named Subway Player of the Game. "We just want wins, especially at home, but we worked hard, we came from behind, we did a hell of a job coming back."
The Reds opened the scoring less than two minutes in.
Gabriel Caggiano (Edmundston, NB) played a nice through ball to an opportunistic Ben Gorringe (Mount Uniacke, NS), who easily beat X keeper Seamus MacDonald (Antigonish, NS).
But the X-Men bounced right back.
Tane Caubo (London, UK) scored in the 16th and 34th minutes to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.
Dan Walker pulled the home side even in the 44th minute, converting a Tristan Nkoghe (Sherbrooke, QC) crossing pass.
Dan Hayfield (Exeter, UK) restored the X lead in the 61st minute, following a nice set-up by Caubo.
With UNB pressing late, Tom Pheulpin (San Antonio, Tex.) was hauled down inside the X box, creating Garcia's penalty opportunity, which provided the tying goal.
"We showed resilience after conceding an early goal, but it is disappointing giving up a goal late like that," said Caubo. "We see it as dropping two points, but UNB are a good team, so it's a good one point to take."
"They were very organized," said Garcia, of the X-Men. "They were blocking our passes. It was tough to break them down, but we managed to come back."
The close game came in contrast to the game these two teams played just two weeks ago, a game the Reds won 4-1.
"The game at X was not a good reflection on us as a team, so I think we've shown ourselves in a good light, shown we can compete with the top teams in the league," said Caubo.
The X-Men, now (3-1-0), host Saint Mary's on Friday night.
The Reds, now (2-1-1), hit the road next weekend, visiting Dalhousie on Friday and Saint Mary's on Saturday.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics