(SYDNEY, N.S.) The No. 5 seed UNB Reds earned a 3-1 win over No. 4 seed Dalhousie in the first game at the Subway AUS Women's Soccer Championship presented by Keep It Social, on Thursday.
The Reds scored two second-half goals, and got an own goal from the Tigers, en route to the win.
The game started in an exciting and chippy fashion, with both teams having almost identical records fighting to make it to the next round.
In the first seven minutes, Tigers keeper Annabel Gravely (Toronto, Ont.) had to make a nice save to keep the game scoreless, and that seemed to give the Tigers a boost.
Dal's offence then put pressure on Reds keeper Brynn Nash (Saskatoon, Sask.).
The game then shifted in favour of the Tigers.
After a cross and a scramble in front of the Reds' net, Kaitlyn Woodworth (Bridgewater, N.S.) scored to give Dal a 1-0 lead.
The half ended with Nash making a few gorgeous saves to keep the game 1-0.
In the second half, a quicker UNB team used good defence to create offence.
In the 48th minute, after using a great dribble move to get a breakaway, Clarisse Ramirez (Ottawa, Ont.) punched the ball into the back of the net to tie the game 1-1.
The deadlock didn't last though, and in the 63rd minute, after two great diving saves by Gravely, the loose ball was tapped in by Danika Lefebvre (Fredericton, N.B.), giving the Reds a 2-1 lead.
In the 81st minute, the Tigers got a few great opportunities, but could not capitalize.
The Tigers were credited with an own goal late in the match, giving the Reds a 3-1 win.
UNB's Jesse Bellamy (St. Catharine's, Ont.) was named the Subway Player of the Game.
UNB now advances to the semifinals, and will face the No. 1 seed Acadia Axewomen, on Friday at 11:30 a.m.
Source: Daniel Briand for Capers Athletics