(SYDNEY, N.S.) In the first semifinal matchup of the Subway AUS Women's Soccer Championship, presented by Keep It Social, the UNB Reds faced off against the top-ranked and undefeated Acadia Axewomen.
Reds keeper Brynn Nash (Saskatoon, Sask.) was tested early, blocking a few shots and making a nice diving save.
Acadia did a great job defensively, making sure UNB rarely controlled the ball. The Reds were unable to get a shot off through the whole of the first half.
In the 35th minute Holly Buckler (Halifax, N.S.) had a great pass to AUS first team all-star Jenna Boudreau (Halifax, N.S.) to score the first goal of the game and give the Axewomen a 1-0 lead which they took into halftime.
The second half began with both teams fighting against the strong winds. The Axewomen continued their aggressive play, smothering UNB whenever they regained possession and not allowing them to set up their offence.
The Reds found a way to get a cross on the net but it was disrupted by the Acadia defence and brought back to the Reds zone. After a nice cross into the box from Boudreau, the ball was tipped into the net by UNB for an own goal to give Acadia the 2-0 lead in the 53rd minute.
In the 70th minute UNB slid in between the Acadia fullbacks and got a shot on net but keeper Sarah Charnock (Newmarket, Ont.) made the nice blocking save to keep her shutout alive.
In the 88th minute UNB had another chip shot on net but it was taken down by the wind and easily collected by Charnock.
The Reds were unable to score in the closing minutes and the Axewomen came away with the 2-0 win to move on to Championship Sunday.
Boudreau earned Subway Player of the Game nods for her role in the Acadia win. UNB's Abigail Sullivan was named player of the game for the Reds in the loss.
The Axewomen will now face the winner of the second women's semifinal matchup between the host Cape Breton Capers and the Memorial Sea-Hawks. The No. 6 seed Sea-Hawks upset the No. 3 seed StFX X-Women last night in quarterfinal action to advance to today's semifinals.
Sunday's championship final game is set for 1 p.m.
Source: Daniel Briand for CBU Athletics