Source: Andy Campbell, UNB Athletics
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS and Dalhousie Tigers played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon, at UNB's BMO Centre.
"It was a scrappy game," said REDS' wing back Justin Brown (Newmarket, ON), named Subway Player of the Game. "We had to fight and claw for everything. We came in looking for three points. We didn't get that, so we're not satisfied, but we'll be back at it tomorrow."
The visiting Tigers opened the scoring in the 8th minute when striker Luke Berryman (Halifax, NS) beat REDS keeper Louis-Charles Vaillancourt (Sherbrooke, QC).
The home team tied the score in the 13th minute.
Off a free kick, Keji Adeniyi (London, UK) corralled the ball in the Tigers' box and hammered it to the top of the Dal net.
"That was a big boost," said Brown. "Keji is a goal scorer, so he's going to do that and we needed that today."
"I thought we were going to clear the ball safely," said Tigers' keeper Aiden Rushenas (Toronto, ON). "It hit the guy's toe and two of my backs were blocking my view. He had a good touch on the ball and got it in."
A back-and-forth fight followed, and the first half ended in the 1-1 deadlock.
Both teams appeared willing to take chances to generate offence in the second half, but neither would concede another goal.
"I think we brought the game to them," said Rushenas. "They're obviously a very good side, but we can compete with the best."
The REDS came close to taking a lead in the final minute of added time. Brown headed a free kick just wide of the Tigers net moments before the final whistle blew.
"I was just trying to provide whatever I can for my team," he said. "I was just trying to make sure we get a good result and do whatever I can to help my team out in any way."
Both teams are now 1-0-1 and will wrap up their weekend series on Sunday. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:15pm.