(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS christened their new artificial turf field at UNB’s BMO Centre in a preseason game against the visiting Guelph Gryphons, on Monday.
The new field’s first goal has yet to be scored though, as the REDS and Gryphons played to a 0-0 draw.
“It was good to break it in and get a good result against a great team,” said REDS midfield Olivier Menard. “We know they’re a top team and this year we’re aspiring to get to the national championship, so it’s great to see we can hold our own against teams that have been at nationals and have been achieving great things in their conferences.”
BMO Centre has been the venue for training camps for UNB’s women’s and men’s soccer teams for the past week, but the game was the first official event on the newly refurbished turf field.
After a scoreless first half, the REDS came to life in the second, applying pressure early and forcing the Gryphons’ defence to be on alert.
Guelph keeper Carter Robart had to make diving saves about 10 minutes into the second and again in the 62nd minute.
The REDS got another pair of shots in the 69th minute, including one from close range, off the foot of newcomer Liam MacGowan.
In the 73rd minute, MacGowan had another opportunity, but struck the ball off the crossbar before being whistled offside.
The REDS were awarded a direct free kick from just outside the 18-yard box in the 75ht minute, but Guelph defenders refused to allow the ball through.
“We changed a couple of small things defensively at the half and how we wanted to transition into attack,” said REDS head coach Barry Morrison. “We asked for a lot of work from a couple of players, including Liam, and they really came through.”
“We have a lot of new guys this season, so we needed to get a lot of guys in,” said Gryphons’ midfielder Jack Sears. “We moved the ball pretty well. We couldn’t create much today, but it was a pretty good performance.”
The teams not only had to deal with each other, they had to deal with temperatures hovering around the 30-degree mark.
Both return to action on Tuesday, at BMO Centre.
Guelph faces the St. Thomas University Tommies (ACAA) at 4:00pm (Atlantic), while the REDS host the Cape Breton Capers at 6:30.
RECAP AND PHOTOS: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics