(SYDNEY, N.S.) The second men's quarterfinal game of the Subway AUS Soccer Championships, presented by Keep It Social, featured the No. 3 seed UNB Reds versus the No. 6 seed UPEI Panthers.
In a windy and rainy final game of the day, UNB fired a lot of early shots forcing UPEI keeper Brett Strba (Fall River, N.S.) into action with several saves.
In the fourth minute, UPEI took advantage of a misplay by the UNB fullbacks and opened the scoring 1-0.
UPEI controlled much of the first half, peppering UNB with multiple shots—all of which either went wide or were saved by UNB keeper and AUS second team all-star Evan Barker (Winnipeg, Man.).
The first half ended on an impressive save from Barker and the Panthers went into halftime up 1-0.
In the second half, UNB came out playing aggressively, using smart passes and great speed. They peppered the UPEI net with shots, with a few going wide, but forcing Strba to make four saves in the second half.
The Reds continued on the attack struck at least in the 38th minute. Right after being subbed into the game, Mathew Quigley (Chester Basin, N.S.) punted one past the UPEI keeper to tie the game at 1-1.
With things all tied up at the end of regulation, the teams headed into overtime.
Just two minutes into overtime, AUS first team all-star Sam Smiley punched in a goal to give UPEI the 2-1 lead early.
The second half of overtime saw a lot of back and forth play. Strba made an impressive game-winning save to end the frame.
Smiley was named Subway Player of the Game for his efforts in the win. UNB's Mathew Quigley was named player of the game for the Reds in the loss.
The Panthers now move on to face the No. 2 seed StFX X-Men in Friday's second semifinal matchup set for 7 p.m.
Source: Daniel Briand for CBU Athletics