REDS Drop Decision to X-Women

ANTIGONISH, NS – The UNB REDS were unable to hold onto a first-half lead falling to the STFX X-Women on Sunday afternoon at STFX Stadium to close out the opening weekend of the Atlantic University Sport regular season play.

The X-Women were able to net two second-half goals to hand UNB the 2-1 loss.

UNB opened the scoring in the 11th minute, with Heidi Lauwerijssen (Kensington, PE) catching up to a long through ball deep in the X end and finding the net with a low shot to the far side giving the REDS the 1-0 lead.

Both teams had bouts of quality possession, most of it in the middle third of the pitch, with the number of scoring chances favouring the visitors. UNB almost added to their lead, with Julia Dalley (Burlington, ON) putting a head to a corner kick but the effort went over the bar.

The 1-0 Reds lead held up through the opening 45 minutes of play.

In the second half, It was X-Women leading scorer Amanda Smith (Ottawa, ON) who found the tying marker, collecting a pass from Brynn Jurus (Ancaster, ON) inside the 18-yard box, turning and hitting the back of the net with a strong shot.

The game opened up a bit at that point, with both teams looking to earn a win.

In the 73rd minute, it was STFX who took the lead, with freshman midfielder Cheyenne Bower (London, ON) curling home a corner kick.

The X-Women almost had another goal off a corner 10 minutes later, but REDS keeper Lauren Kelly (Fredericton, NB) put a hand to it and kept it out. Kelly was outstanding on the day making 7 saves in a losing effort Sunday for UNB.

The REDS will host the Memorial Sea-Hawks in UNB's home opener on Friday at 5:00 pm. The X-Women are on the road to Sydney next Saturday to take on the CBU Capers.

Recap by: UNB Athletics with files from STFX Athletics

Photos by: Bryan Kennedy for STFX Athletics