ST. JOHN'S, NL – This past weekend at King George V Stadium in St. John's, NL, the Memorial University Sea-Hawks men's soccer team displayed formidable skills and team spirit in two intense matches against the UNB REDS. With a triumphant victory on Friday followed by a nail-biting tie on Saturday, the Sea-Hawks proved their mettle on the field.
The weekend kicked off with an electrifying match on Friday, September 6, where the Sea-Hawks clinched a 3-1 win over the REDS. The game was marked by its physical intensity and relentless pace, as both teams vied passionately for dominance.
After a hard foul on UNB, the REDS Centre-Back was shown the first yellow card of the match. Just moments later, Memorial's own Jacob Grant responded in style, blasting a shot past REDS goalie Ahmed Hassona to tie the game in the 53rd minute. Grant's goal ignited the Sea-Hawks' offense, setting the stage for a remarkable second-half comeback. Midfielder Augustine Opuoro and defenseman Brent Hennebury were instrumental in turning the tide, with Opuoro firing a rocket into the back of the net in the 75th minute to give Memorial the lead. Hennebury then sealed the victory just two minutes later, converting a penalty kick with pinpoint accuracy into the top right corner. The Sea-Hawks rallied to overturn an early 33rd-minute strike from UNB's Alex Oprea, showcasing resilience and teamwork in their thrilling 3-1 win. Special credit goes to Jacob Grant for sparking the comeback with his clutch equalizer.
Goalie Louis-Charles Vaillancourt was another key player, showcasing his skill and poise under pressure, fending off numerous shots to keep the Sea-Hawks in contention throughout the game.
The following evening, Saturday, September 7, the atmosphere was equally charged as the teams faced off again. The Sea-Hawks aimed to defend their win but ended with a 1-1 draw, a testament to the intense competition.
Early in the game, Brent Hennebury continued his impressive performance, firing a goal in the 34th minute to put the Sea-Hawks ahead. However, the REDS retaliated late in the match with Stefano D'Ambrogio sneaking a goal past Vaillancourt in the 85th minute, resulting in a tie.
The match was a defensive battle, with both teams creating numerous chances but often being thwarted by excellent goalkeeping. Mahmoud Moustafa, for the REDS, and Vaillancourt, for the Sea-Hawks, were instrumental in keeping the scoreline close with their critical saves.
Despite an injury setback for Augustine Opuoro, who had to be substituted due to an ankle issue, the Sea-Hawks showed depth as midfielder Daniel Peddle stepped in to maintain the team's competitive edge.
The weekend's matches left the Sea-Hawks with a season tally of 2-1-1, showcasing their capability to compete under pressure and their resilience in maintaining a high level of play against tough opponents. The team's spirit and tenacity were evident as they battled through each minute, leaving everything on the field. As the season progresses, the Sea-Hawks are poised to build on these performances, with an eye on refining their strategies and bolstering their lineup to capitalize on their strengths.
Story by: Keeran Mercer, Udantha Chandraratne
Story photos by: Udantha Chandraratne