RECAP BY: Ethan Hunt
(Halifax, N.S.) - The Dalhousie Tigers women's soccer team came out victorious in a game on National Truth and Reconciliation Day against the UNB Reds at Wickwire Field.
Dalhousie men's soccer team striker Mykeo Parker-Christmas, a member of the Membertou FIrst Nation, spoke on the importance of National Truth and Reconciliation Day prior to the game. Also as in recognition of the national holiday, a moment of silence replaced the national anthem to remember the children that did not return home from residential schools and the survivors of the system.
Once the game began, it did not take long for the Tigers' fans to get on their feet.
At the 7th minute, midfielder Morgan Leon (Toronto, ON) put a ball so high up into the air that made keeper Lauren Kelly (Fredericton, NB) lose sight, and ended up in the back of the net.
The Reds then went on the attack, and had a chance when striker Mackenzie Walsh (Middle Sackville, NS) crossed the ball across the field to Heidi Lauwerijssen (Kensington, PE) who was tied up by the Tigers' defender, but it popped out to Jillian Curtis (Corpus Christi, Texas) who sent it wide.
UNB's Walsh drove down into DAL's side of the field and generated another dangerous chance this time finding Aurora Hughes-Goyette (Garibaldi Highlands, B.C.) who took a shot that was turned away by DAL's keeper.
The Tigers had a chance to add to their lead, but Megan Chiasson (Lower Sackville, N.S.) skied it over the net at point blank range.
When the referee's whistle blew for halftime the score had the Tigers up one to nothing.
UNB continued their pressure on the Tigers early in the new half, when Hughes-Goyette evaded DAL's defenders, and had a chance to tie the game, but the keeper made the save look easy.
At the 62nd minute, UNB found what they were searching for.
UNB's Hughes-Goyette drove down the right side of the field, and forced a corner, that set up a cross from Walsh that found Reds captain 2 Julia Dalley (Burlington, ON) who put in the equaliser.
At the 74th minute, defender Paris Axam (Ottawa, ON) was fouled just outside the top corner of the box, and on the ensuing free kick, she put a ball that was labelled for the top corner of the net, but the keeper made a terrific save to keep the game even.
Elsie Evans (Toronto, ON) was found open off of a corner kick, and tried to get it past the short side, but the keeper once again made a great save, and set up another corner.
At the 80th minute, Axam found herself with a chance to take the lead on a corner, and she did just that, putting it straight from the corner to the back of the net.
Despite UNB pressing for the rest of the game they never found the answer, and ended the game in defeat.
Morgan Leon (Toronto ON) took home the player of the game for the game.
The Dalhousie Tigers will travel down Robie Street to battle the Saint Mary's Huskies on October 4. The UNB Reds will have next week off, and will return to the field to play Mount Allison on October 13.