Reds punch ticket to championship final with 2-1 win over X-Men

(SYDNEY, N.S.) The UNB Reds have punched their ticket to Sunday's championship final with a 2-1 win over the StFX X-Men.

Although UNB controlled much of the first-half play, it was StFX who struck first with an early goal in the seventh minute. Third-year defender Josh Read (Bath, United Kingdom) headed in a pass from AUS first team all-star Dan Hayfield (Exeter, United Kingdom) to take the lead.

The X-Men took the 1-0 lead into halftime despite being outshot 5-1 in the half.

The second half was scoreless until the 87^th minute, with UNB keeper Evan Barker (Winnipeg, Man.) making five saves for the Reds.

StFX keeper Seamus MacDonald would make three more saves before giving up the game-tying goal to AUS rookie of the year Tristan Nkoghe (Sherbrooke, Que.) off a free kick to force overtime.

UNB's Grant Takacs (Woodstock, Ont.) scored the go-ahead goal less than two minutes into overtime. The assists came from Matt Boem (Mississauga, Ont.) and Alex Dodghson (Liverpool, United Kingdom).

The X-Men pushed hard for an equalizer and earned a penalty in the 117^th minute, but Barker stopped the Hayfield shot to preserve the victory.

Barker was named Subway Player of the Game for his seven-save performance in the win.

Read earned player of the game nods for the X-Men for his goal in the loss.

With the win, the Reds now advance to Sunday's championship final game where they will face the U SPORTS no. 1-ranked and defending conference and national champion Cape Breton Capers.

As finalists, both UNB and Cape Breton have earned a berth in the upcoming U SPORTS national championship being held next weekend in Victoria, B.C.