WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Acadia rookie keeper, Nic Jefferies, earned the Subway Player of the Game for his outstanding performance in holding the UNB to one point as the Varsity Reds settled for a 1-1 against the host Acadia Axemen in the regular season opening game on Raymond Field in Wolfville.
Oisin McKenna scored the Varsity Reds' first and only goal at the 29th minute of the game on a beautiful pass from Marcus Lees across the goal mouth to give UNB a lead they would hold until the 83rd minute.
The Varsity Reds had several great opportunities to extend the lead to two, but Jefferies stepped up with several great saves on quick UNB transitional plays.
Matt Berrigan tied the game with seven minutes remaining in regulation time after missing a penalty kick. Berrigan picked up his own rebound on the penalty kick and nailed the game tying goal to an appreciative crowd of over 800 attending the game.
At the 89th minute, Jefferies earned his Player of the Game award on a UNB penalty kick stop that surprised all including himself.
"Honestly, it feels amazing. I came out here a little nervous in my first AUS game with all these people here. I just had to do what I had to do… for the boys," said Jefferies when asked what he thought of his first AUS performance.
Jefferies was asked how the team felt going into the halftime trailing UNB by one.
"Coach told us to start strong and not to get down on the 1 goal deficit and to get a tie at the least", said Jefferies.
The Varsity Reds head to Dalhousie tomorrow afternoon for a 5:15 p.m. game against the Tigers, while the Axemen will have a day of rest before facing Dalhousie at home on Raymond Field at 3:15 p.m. on Sunday.