Panthers, Reds earn point in nil-nil stalemate

By Thomas Becker

The UPEI Panthers and UNB Reds each earned a point after playing to a nil-nil draw Sunday afternoon.

While the point is great to have, for head coach Graeme McDonald, it was an opportunity lost for his Panthers (2-4-2), who are neck and neck with the Reds for the final playoff spot. 

"We had enough opportunities to score in that game," he said. "The good thing is they [UNB] never came back and got us in the end." 

UPEI goalkeeper, Amanda Stanyer was a big reason why UNB (2-5-1) never capitalized on their opportunities. Stanyer made a key save in the 30th minute that forced her to lie out completely to keep the game deadlocked. 

"We were hoping for a win, but we'll take the point," said Stanyer, who was named Subway Player of the Game. "I'm usually an aggressive keeper, but I tried to stay back on my line and that played to my advantage as I got a better read where the ball was going." 

However, Stanyer was forced to move off her line in extra time, when UNB's Jelisa Joncas managed to evade the last line of defence and fired it off the sliding keeper.

"Amanda has come in ready and she's in the zone," McDonald said. "She's certainly keeping us in games."

The Panthers controlled the pace of the game and it looked as though a goal would come, but the shots on target never really threatened veteran goalkeeper Rebecca Duda.

Their best chance came on an 80th minute odd-man rush when striker Tyffanie Bordage found Olivia Cummings to her left, only to fire a shot in front of a charging Duda for the easy stop.

"In the game of soccer, the bottom line is to get the ball in front of the goal and create opportunities to score and at the end of the day, that's all we can ask of them," McDonald said.

The Panthers get a bit of a break before they return to the field on Oct. 14 vs. the St. FX X-Women. Game time is 2 p.m.

Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan