X-Men and Tigers play to 1-1 draw

The X-Men soccer team played to a 1-1 draw with the Dalhousie Tigers Friday night in Homecoming action at StFX Oland Stadium. Tigers midfielder Phillip Parsons scored in the 83rd minute to salvage the tie.

The two teams came out strong, both had scoring chances in the opening minutes of the game. Dalhousie goaltender Ben Ur made a diving save on a StFX ball that was headed across the goal line, while at the other end of the field, X-Men defender Max Maund headed a ball out of the StFX to save a goal.

The X-Men had a couple good scoring chances late in the first half as freshman defender Randy Ribeiro came off the bench and sparked an offensive threat as the X-Men were pressuring in close in the Tigers box. Ribeiro was in tight and had a couple shots on goal that did not get through.

The game remained scoreless at half-time and stayed that way until the 53rd minute when X-Men midfielder Jamar Dixon broke the goose egg. Martine Vlk took the intial shot on net for StFX and Dixon followed up with a hard ball past Tigers keeper Ben Ur.

Not long after, Dixon thought he had scored StFX’s second goal of the game as he fired in a rebound off a Michael Marousek shot, but offside was called and the goal was nullified.

The Tigers lone goal came in the 83rd minute after a StFX clearing attempt found its way to the foot of Phillip Parsons who connected for a hard shot from outside the 18 yard box, beating StFX keeper Andrew MacDonald low in the corner of the net.

StFX had a chance to take back the lead as Michael Marousek had a point blank shot that was saved by Ur in the final minutes of the game.

In total, Ur recorded 8 saves as the X-Men outshot the Tigers 15-6. The keeper earned Player of the Game honors for his efforts. MacDonald had 5 saves in the StFX net.

Fourth year defender Ryan Casey was the Player of the Game for the X-Men, who remain undefeated with a 4-0-2 record. The Tigers stand at 3-2-1. StFX will host the Universite de Moncton Aigles Bleus (2-2-2) on Sunday at 3:15 pm.