Tommies and Hurricanes Play to Scoreless Draw

Ryan MacKinnon (left) battles with Julien Jones during ACAA men's soccer play Sunday in Fredericton. The Tommies and Hurricanes played to a 0-0 draw. Photo: SRM Photography
Ryan MacKinnon (left) battles with Julien Jones during ACAA men's soccer play Sunday in Fredericton. The Tommies and Hurricanes played to a 0-0 draw. Photo: SRM Photography

Fredericton, NB - The St. Thomas University Tommies and Holland College Hurricanes battled to a 0-0 draw Sunday afternoon in Fredericton. 

From the opening kick it was a physical affair between these two rivals with neither team willing to give an inch. 

First year midfielder, Ben Davidge (Fredericton, NB), came close to opening the score as his strike from 25 yards out just sailed over the crossbar. The Tommies continued to push for the opening marker with three free kicks within striking distance, all taken by different players. 

"Hoping one guy steps up for us," said Tommies head coach, John-Ryan Morrison, when asked about different players getting opportunities with free kicks. "Free kicks are something we need to work on. We have struggled all year with them."

Prior to the halftime whistle Julien Jones was called for his second yellow card of the half, ending his day. 

The Tommies pushed in the second half, with rookie striker William Benoit (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC), having three terrific chances to give the Tommies the lead, but couldn't connect. 

"Will always has great energy. He just needs a little more patience when the ball is at his feet in the box," added Morrison about his young striker. 

In spite of having the man advantage for the entire second half, the Tommies could do no better than the draw.

"That's the biggest missed opportunity we've had in seven years," said Morrison about the result. "Very disappointing. We didn't play with any urgency in the second half and we let them walk away with a point."

The Tommies will look to jump back into the win column Wednesday night when they host the Crandall University Chargers, while the Hurricanes will host the University of Kings College on Saturday.