Amoah-Gyekye with a dramatic 89th minute goal to help Axemen to opening night point

The Acadia Axemen showed grit and determination in their 2025 Atlantic University Sport season opener Friday night, battling back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 3-3 draw against the UNB Reds.

After UNB struck early, the Axemen answered in the 17th minute when Toni Adeoye found the back of the net to even the score at 1-1. The Reds carried a 2-1 lead into halftime and extended their advantage to 3-1 early in the second half, but Acadia refused to go away.

Fifth-year defender Jabu Deng sparked the comeback, rising above the defence to head home a free kick and pull Acadia within one. Then, in the dying moments of regulation, Nathan Amoah-Gyekye delivered the equalizer in the 90th minute to complete the comeback and secure a valuable point on the road.

Goalkeeper Dylan Legere stood tall under pressure, making several key stops to keep the Axemen within striking distance.

With the result, Acadia (0-0-1) sits in a logjam in the AUS standings, tied with five other teams on one point. The Axemen are back in action Sunday afternoon when they visit the Mount Allison Mounties for a 1 p.m. kickoff.