WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The UPEI Panthers finally hit the score sheet Saturday however were unsuccessful in eking out a win as the host Acadia Axemen managed to score a second-half goal deadlocking both teams to a 2-2 draw in Atlantic University Sport men’s soccer action.
It was the Panthers who came out flying early in the first half with goals by Sam Smiley (11th minute) and Mon Sang Aung (15th minute) off set plays to grab an early 2-0 lead.
The Axemen seemed unprepared to be able to cope with the Panthers’ high-pressure defence. It took the first 25 minutes for Acadia to adapt, which led to their first goal in the 29th minute from Spencer Buck. The half ended 2-1 favouring the Panthers on a rain-soaked field in Wolfville, N.S.
The second half saw a rejuvenated Acadia squad scored their second goal by Gordon McLaughlin. The Panthers pushed hard at the end for the go-ahead goal but to no avail.
Credit strong goaltending from fifth-year veteran Nathan Ford for keeping the game in hand.
“We started off really strong,” said Ford. “It’s too bad that our game wasn’t only 25 minutes long, that would have been a good result. We all know that’s not the way the game works though.”
UPEI traveled to Halifax Sunday to close out the road season with a game against the Dalhousie Tigers. The Panthers finish the season Friday with their seniors’ game at home against Saint Mary’s.
– Fred Foster is the manager for the UPEI Panthers men's soccer team.
