Reds Score Late, Beat SMU
Sinclair tallies twice in 2-1 win
(FREDERICTON, NB) Mackenzie Sinclair (Camperdown, NS) scored her second goal of the game late in extra time as the UNB Reds pulled out a 2-1 over the Saint Mary's University Huskies on Saturday.
"Our coach, Jon [Crossland], has been saying to bear down on all of our chances and I think that's where I got that last little bit and the extra little pushes in there for that last goal," said Sinclair.
Both teams opened with some even play. UNB was patient with the ball, setting up rushes quarterbacked by fullback Shannon Armitage (Halifax, NS). The Huskies countered with some strong interceptions of the Reds wing passes.
Jelisa Joncas (Burlington, ON) had some great plays for the Reds in the first half with some aggressive runs on the right side.
Itai Kuwodza (Harare, Zimb.) and Anelise Karakostas (Victoria, BC) drove some great runs for the Huskies, creating turnovers and putting pressure on the Reds defense, especially on the left side.
The Huskies had the best chance of the half when Paige Vincent (Dartmouth, NS) had the ball just feet from the goal and put the shot over the net.
The game was scoreless at the half.
The Reds stormed in to the Huskies end just 30 seconds into the second half, led by a great run by Danika Lefebvre (Hanwell, NB) who put the ball just over the bar. Lefebvre broke in again minutes later, but couldn't beat Huskies keeper Ashley Blank (Cole Harbour, NS).
Vincent responded for the Huskies, putting a great shot in from the left side that was tipped wide by Reds' keeper Brynn Nash (Saskatoon, SK).
The Huskies would break the tie off a cross from Jamie Kennedy (Fall River, NS) that went untouched into the Reds goal in the 71st minute.
Abby Sullivan (Orleans, Mass.) put a strong kick into the Huskies box in the 83rd minute that slipped through Blank's legs to Sinclair for her first goal of the game to make it 1-1.
Sinclair, named Subway Player of the Game, would again capitalize off a flurry of chances in extra time, knocking the ball across the line for the winner.
"We are ready to keep it up," said Sinclair.
Blank left the game with an injury in the 85th minute. Kyanna Gilks (Halifax, NS) came in to finish the game for the Huskies.
Next up for the Reds is a trip to UPEI, on Sunday, for a 1:00pm start.
The Huskies visit Mount Allison on Sunday. That's also a 1:00pm start.
RECAP BY: Jonathan James/for UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics