REDS Rally For Road Point

(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE) It looked like the UPEI Panthers were headed for a big win, but the UNB REDS had other plans.

With less than four minutes remaining in the game, the visiting REDS stunned the home crowd by erasing a two-goal deficit and stealing a point in a 2-2 draw.

In the 87th minute, Sophia Maillet (Fredericton, NB) had a clear look and fired the ball through the legs of Panthers' keeper Claudia Mazzei (Milton, ON) before it trickled past the goal line to cut the deficit in half.

Then, in extra time, Heidi Lauwerijssen (Kensington, PE) tied it up on a deep shot that went over the outstretched arms of Mazzei.

The REDS controlled the pace of play for most of the opening half, but the Panthers' defence did their part in limiting the scoring chances.

The offence rewarded that effort with a goal in the 43rd minute from Wendy Dadzie (Accra, Ghana). Sarah Eden (Ottawa, ON) sent a deep free kick in the penalty area that Dadzie got a head on after the ball took a friendly bounce.

The Panthers took that momentum into the second half where they played with confidence, leading to a goal in the 66th minute.

From 40 yards out, Eden fired a free kick that went over the hands of REDS' keeper Lauren Kelly (Fredericton, NB) for the goal that put them ahead by two.

That's when it started to unravel for UPEI, as UNB fought back to tie it in the game's dying minutes.

Eden was named UPEI's player of the game, while Lauwerijssen earned the honours for UNB.

The Panthers have a tough test next Friday when they take on the Cape Breton Capers, while the REDS square off against the Saint Mary's Huskies.

RECAP BY: Thomas Becker/UPEI Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Janessa Hogan/for UPEI Athletics