REDS and Capers battle to 2-2 Draw

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS rallied late on Julia Dalley's goal in the 73rd minute to draw with the Cape Breton University Capers, 2-2 on Friday night at UNB's BMO Centre.

Dalley's crucial equalizer not only secured a draw for the REDS but also earned them a valuable point, keeping their hopes alive in the Atlantic University Sport playoff race.

"That was purely a team effort tonight," said Dalley. "Right from the start, we wanted to come out strong and we did. In the second half, we left everything out there with nothing to lose and we were able to come away with the draw."

It was a back-and-forth first half with both teams exchanging opportunities to start the match, but neither managed to break the deadlock.

The best chance of the half occurred in the 28th minute when UNB's Aurora Hughes-Goyette (Garibaldi Heights, BC) charged in from the left wing and unleashed a shot that managed to evade the Capers goalkeeper Ellie Lancaster (Fall River, NS) but unluckily struck the crossbar, denying her team the opening goal.

CBU opened the scoring just five minutes into the second half. Amy-Anne Ndiaye (Maseru, Lesotho) uncorked a powerful strike from the 30-yard mark that beat UNB goalkeeper Lauren Kelly (Fredericton, NB) to put the Capers in the lead, 1-0, in the 49th minute.

Merely three minutes later, the Capers extended their lead. Makenna Bowser (Bible Hill, NS) capitalized on a cross from Leah Disipio (Ottawa, ON), finding the net to make it 2-0 in the 51st minute.

UNB responded swiftly, narrowing the gap just two minutes later. A corner from Julia Currie (Sydney, NS) deflected off the outstretched hand of Lancaster, finding its way into the back of the net in the 53rd minute, bringing UNB within one.

"I was just thinking I really hope we score on this," said Currie. "I wasn't necessarily thinking it was going to be off my kick but I just wanted to curl it in tight and hopefully we could get it in."

In the 73rd minute, UNB managed to even the score with Dalley's goal. She successfully converted a free kick delivered by Helen Langrehr (Munich, Germany) to beat Lancaster and knot the game at 2-2.

"As one of the taller girls of the team I always try and go up for any sort of free kick," said Dalley. "The ball came in and it got deflected to the back. I was on the goal line and just tried to get a foot in there and it found the back of the net."

The Capers had an opportunity to take the lead in the 85th minute when Bowser found herself open in front after a cross from Disipio. However, her shot hit the post, keeping the score tied, 2-2.

Both teams wrap up regular season play on Saturday. The REDS will look to keep their playoff hopes alive when they host the STFX X-Women. Kickoff is at 3:00pm.

"We know we can play with the top teams in the AUS," said Currie. "We've been showing it all year. We just need to come in tomorrow with our top game and stay locked in for a full 90 and I have no doubt we can come away with the win and make it to playoffs."

The Capers travel to Moncton to face the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues at 2:00pm

RECAP BY: Evan Richtsfeld/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics