Soccer Tigers battle UNB to 0-0 draw

Source: RECAP BY: Jonathan James, UNB Athletics

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds and Dalhousie Tigers played to a 0-0 tie on Saturday afternoon. 

The game was closely defended by both teams, with the Reds spending much more time on offense than the Tigers. 

It was a game filled with great tackles, smart strategy and impressive goaltending. 

UNB's Keji Adeniyi (London, UK) was buzzing around the goal to open the game with a handful of rushes down the wing. 

Dal's Daniel Pacheco (Stratford, ON) had the only real scoring chance in the half, chipping the ball past Reds keeper Evan Barker (Winnipeg, MB) while on a breakaway, only to hit the crossbar.  

Tigers keeper Ben Grondin (Calgary, AB) had two huge saves on the Reds best scoring chance, stopping a shot off the wing as well as the rebound deep inside the Dal box. Grondin wasn't done there, reaching up again to deflect a free kick over his goal in the last five minutes of the half. 

The Reds outshot the Tigers 6-1 in the first half. 

Again, Adeniyi came close to scoring in the second half, with Grondin standing tall again with a sliding save. 

UNB's Dan Walker (Fredericton, NB) flicked a nice ball to Tristan Nkoghe (Sherbrooke, QC) at close range only to have his shot deflected wide. Shortly after, Ben Gorringe (Truro, NS) set up a close shot for Luis Garcia (San Antonio, TX) only to have it stopped by Grondin. 

Pacheco continued to be the only source of offence for the Tigers, drawing a free kick in close to the Reds goal with the ensuing attempt being saved by Barker. 

Despite an intense finish, the game ended in the scoreless draw. 

Grondin was named Subway Player of the Game. 

The two teams play again Sunday, at 3:15pm, at UNB's BMO Centre.