X-Men wrap up AUS regular season in first place
X-Men finish regular season play in first place in the AUS conference with an 8-1-3 record, earning a first round playoff bye
FREDERICTON, NB - The UNB REDS secured a spot in the Atlantic University Sport Championship tournament by the slimest of margins Saturday evening, at UNB's BMO Centre.
The single point earned in a 2-2 draw with STFX was enough to cement the REDS post season berth.
The X-Men finish regular season play in first place in the AUS conference with an 8-1-3 record, earning a first round playoff bye.
STFX opened the scoring in the 28th minute, with Luka Robichaud Allah (Moncton, NB) firing a powerful shot that was quickly followed by a 30th minute strike from Jack Owen (Sarnia, ON), taking a quick 2-0 lead.
The REDS came out strong in the second half, applying constant pressure on the X defence.
In the 53rd minute, AUS leading scorer Luke Rosettani (Ottawa, ON) netted UNB's first goal, bringing the home team back into the game.
Just 10 minutes later, Stefano D'Ambrogio (Toronto, ON) found the back of the net, leveling the score 2-2 and restoring the REDS' playoff hopes.
Despite several late chances from both sides, neither team could break the deadlock.
The REDS' second-half comeback was enough to secure the point they needed to advance to the playoffs.
UNB, hosts of the conference championship tourney, face the Saint Mary's Huskies in a Thursday quarter-final. That game will start at 4:00pm.
STFX will enjoy a first-round bye and will take on either Dalhousie or Cape Breton in the semi-finals, on Friday. Game time will be 1:00pm.
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Recap courtesy Annabelle Jewett, UNB Athletics
